Ever dreamt of launching your own fashion brand? Today, we're sitting down with two ambitious handbag designers, Moya and Ashley, who turned that dream into reality with their brand, Ashya. This episode is an intimate exploration of their journey from classmates at Fashion Institute of Technology to successful entrepreneurs, navigating the hurdles of transitioning from corporate America to running their own business. Moia, originating from Jamaica, and Ashley, hailing from Milwaukee, found common ground in their passion for design and fashion. From a successful class project at FIT, the seeds of Ashya were sown and the duo embarked on their entrepreneurial journey. However, it wasn't all glitz and glamour; they hustled, juggling day jobs to keep their brand afloat. They share fascinating insights into managing relationships with manufacturers and customers, and how their experiences with career shifts and layoffs shaped their trajectory.  Just when you thought their journey couldn't get more intriguing, the dynamic duo reveals their collaboration with fashion titan, Michael Kors. Imagine the heart-racing experience of designing a holiday collection that marries their unique style with the Michael Kors legacy. As if steering a successful handbag brand wasn't exciting enough, they've got their eyes on the travel space, hinting at a weekender bag and luggage line that's in the pipeline. So buckle up, and come along on this remarkable journey of creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit. Follow Ashya: https://www.instagram.com/ashya.co/  Shop Handbag Designer 101 Merch: https://www.emilyblumenthal.com/category/all-products Book a handbag session with Emily: https://www.emilyblumenthal.com/ Hire Emily to be a guest speaker at your event: https://www.emilyblumenthal.com/speaking Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HandbagDesigner101-IHDA Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handbagdesigner/ Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@handbagdesigner Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/handbagdesigner