Oh hey there, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kayla Walsh and I'm a Stylist, Manager and Blogger at Fashion Truck Canada. I joined the FTC team just a little over a month ago and have fallen in love with the company and everyone I've met while working here. I'm so very lucky to call Ashley a boss, I feel like I've struck Gold. Within minutes of interaction, you feel comfortable and confident to be yourself and that truly speaks volumes about her amazing personality. Many of you who are reading this right now have probably interacted with Ashley, but haven't gotten the chance to hear a lot about the company and what it means to her. I had a chance to sit down with the creative, stylish woman behind the Fashion Truck so that her clients and customers can get to know her and the company a bit more. Without further ado, here are ten questions with Ashley Mitobe....
Q: First off, Fashion Truck Canada is such a brilliant & unique concept. You started this business 3 years ago, can you explain the branding and vibe of your company?
A: The branding and concept was designed to be clean, simple and most importantly understandable. It's a fashiontruck so we called it a fashiontruck, adding a bold Canada to the end in hopes that the brand would grow and expand across the country. The concept is fun with a relaxed West Coast influence. The overall style is trend focused, unique and casual.
Q: How has the company evolved since its inception?
A: I never expected that it would grow so quickly but in year three I can honestly say I have a well established and successful small business that operates in Toronto and the GTA. In March, I opened shopfashiontruckcanada.com and this was the next natural step for the business after doing a ton of direct shipping off of Instagram last year. The business continues to reach and so we will continue to grow.
Q: You just gave birth to your beautiful baby boy Eddie James, but this isn't your first baby, FTC is. Can you tell everyone how much this company and the people you've met throughout this journey mean to you?
A: Oh boy!!!! My customers are my everything and the lifeline of the success of my business. More than that, they're my friends. The fashiontruck is a small and intimate space so conversation is SO important. I always look forward to seeing all the familiar faces in different locations and catching up on what's going on in their lives.
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of building and expanding FTC not only across Canada, but Internationally?
A: Watching the growth and success of something you've build with your own blood, sweat and tears is incredibly rewarding, but honestly knowing how much people love the brand and the company is everything! Starting a small business is risky and you put a lot on the line, so to know that people believe in your concept as much as you do is a really great feeling.
Q: You're an extremely personable, creative and hard working business owner, everyone who meets you would agree. Where do you see FTC in a few years? Any long or short term goals you can share with your clients/customers?
A: I have a lot of hopes and dreams for FTC. I'd love the next step to be a store and I've got a few other things up my sleeve. ;)
Q: What separates you from other stylists and boutiques?
A: The concept is unique and has the ability to reach a large demographic. The buying is specialized to accommodate a very broad target market. The key to style is understanding individual style and not pushing personal or trend based style on people who aren't into it.
Q: Do you have any style icons? Who or what inspires you when it comes to fashion?
A: I love the now Nicole Ritchie style; soft and feminine but super edgy. I love DylanLex accessories. Hopefully one day I own a piece lol. Everything inspires me really, could be the weather, Pinterest, someone I see on the street, current and old trends.
Q: What is your favourite part about running this company?
A: Hands down the people I've met, the friends I've made and the support I get from the local community.
Q: Eddie James is your first priority now that he's here and no doubt you will have your hands full. I've been asked many times on the truck, "how involved will Ashley be, is she taking a full maternity leave?" What's your plan? Are you taking things day by day?
A: I'm really good at winging it and I'm not an over planner, I like to take things as they come so with the new babe it'll be one day at a time, but I do plan to stay super involved. When you have your own business you have to.
Q: After a long pregnancy, Motherhood is finally here! What excites you most about this next chapter?
A: Just being a Mom! :)
Thank you so much for reading! Please join us every Friday for a brand new blog post. FTC will be sharing our shopping adventures, fashion trends, hot spots around Toronto and maybe some DIY projects. The world is our oyster ;)
Kayla xoxo