Ashley Deland’s journey is one of bold moves and a passion for empowering women. By 24, she was already a corporate Director of Marketing for billion-dollar enterprises, but her true calling lay in helping women build legacies through branding, marketing, and storytelling. Inspired by her mother’s strength and her work with visionaries like Deepak Chopra, Ashley founded Maison De Land, where she’s guided hundreds of entrepreneurs to success. Recognized as a “Top 40 under 40” and “Best Female Entrepreneur in Canada”, Ashley brings heart and expertise to every step of her mission to uplift women.
As the Founder & CEO of Ashley Deland & Maison De Land, she’s helped hundreds of entrepreneurs build legacies that reflect not just business success, but personal growth and impact. Ashley is more than a business expert—she’s a leader with heart, guiding women to find their voice, trust their instincts, and create the life and brand of their dreams. In this interview, we dive into Ashley’s incredible journey and the wisdom she’s gained along the way.
Empowered Women Empower Women: Ashley’s Version
TBN: What inspired you to start on this path of empowering women? Was there a defining moment that led you here?
AD: The path to empowering women was always deeply rooted in my personal journey. Growing up, I watched my mother, a single parent, navigate life with strength and grace while raising three daughters. That experience shaped my understanding of resilience, independence, and the power of female support. The defining moment came when I realized that so many women, despite their brilliance, still feel the weight of doubt, fear, and invisibility. I knew I had a role to play in changing that narrative and mindset.
Founding my businesses, from Ashley Deland to Maison De Land, and even my creative ventures like my Female FounderHer clothing line or podcast “She Wears The Pants” is my way of offering tangible resources, knowledge, and especially spaces where women can rise into their fullest potential—both in business and in life.
TBN: You’ve been surrounded by incredible women throughout your life. Who has been your biggest source of inspiration, and how have they influenced you?
AD: Without a doubt, my mother has been my biggest source of inspiration. Her strength, determination, and unwavering commitment to her family instilled in me a belief that women are capable of literally anything. Watching her overcome challenges shaped the way I approach obstacles in my own life.
Professionally, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside incredible women like Margaret Atwood and other thought leaders through my early work at ideaCity. But it’s really the women I meet through my work—female founders, creatives, and entrepreneurs—who inspire me the most. They show me that grit, vision, and a willingness to go after what you want are the real markers of success.
Career & Achievements
TBN: With so many career accomplishments, from scaling brands to being recognized by Forbes, what achievement are you most proud of, and why?
AD: While I’ve had the honor of receiving recognition from outlets like Forbes and scaling brands to incredible heights, the achievement I’m most proud of is the impact I’ve been able to make in helping other women find their footing in business. Whether it’s through my 1:1 advisory work, the growth of a personal brand from $80K to $500K within the first 6 months, or seeing a founder’s product land on the shelves of Walmart—it’s those moments of real transformation that make me proud. It’s not just about financial growth but helping women feel confident, empowered, and capable of achieving what they once thought was impossible.
I’d also say my greatest accomplishment will always be being a mother. Navigating motherhood while pursuing my professional passions has given me a sense of purpose that no other achievement can match. Watching my daughter grow, learn, and thrive while I’m building this life is something I hold closest to my heart. Both roles—mother and entrepreneur—have shaped me into the woman I am today.
TBN: Looking back, what has been the most valuable lesson or experience that has shaped your career?
AD: The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is to trust my intuition. There have been moments where “conventional” wisdom said one thing, but my gut feeling said another – and I went in the wrong direction. The times I’ve leaned into my instincts—whether in business strategy, hiring, or personal growth—have always proven to be the most pivotal. I’ve learned that as women, we possess a unique strength in trusting our internal compass, and that’s something I encourage in every woman I work with.
The Importance of Connection & Community
TBN: Ashley, you emphasize the importance of community and connection. How has building these networks impacted your personal growth?
AD: Building meaningful connections has been the foundation of everything I do. All my businesses are rooted in community and connection because I believe so deeply in them. These kinds of networks offer more than just professional opportunities; they offer shared experiences, learning, and growth.
Personally, connecting with other women has expanded my worldview, helped me evolve as a leader, and provided a support system that’s been invaluable. Through community, I’ve realized that success isn’t a solo journey—it’s a collective one.
TBN: Can you share an experience where building a meaningful connection had a significant impact on your journey?
AD: Absolutely. I vividly remember connecting with a fellow female founder who was at a pivotal moment in her business. She had a brilliant concept but was struggling to scale and felt overwhelmed by the pressures of entrepreneurship. We built a strong, authentic connection that wasn’t just about business strategy—it was about truly understanding her vision and helping her align her goals with the life she wanted to create. Together, we worked on not just scaling her revenue but building her confidence as a leader and decision-maker.
Today, her brand is thriving in the multi-eight figure arena, and we’ve stayed in touch as both peers and friends. That experience reminded me that the most impactful connections come from a place of genuine collaboration and mutual growth. When we support each other, it creates this ripple effect—her success became part of my journey, and we both grew stronger because of it. It’s those kinds of deep, meaningful connections that truly shape not only your business but your entire life.
Nurturing Mind & Body
TBN: Balancing a thriving career and motherhood is no small feat. How do you prioritize self-care and maintain your mental health?
AD: It’s an ongoing practice. I’ve learned that prioritizing self-care isn’t about grand gestures, but about the small, intentional choices I make every day. I start each morning with gratitude and prayer—it’s a simple yet powerful way to center myself before diving into the day’s demands. I’ve also learned to give myself permission to delegate and say no when necessary, something that took time to embrace. Mental health is foundational, and burnout is real. Making space for myself allows me to show up fully for both my family and my work.
TBN: Why do you believe it’s important to openly discuss mental health and self-care?
AD: Because for too long, we’ve been taught that success comes from sacrificing ourselves—especially as women. There’s this narrative that we have to be everything for everyone, and it’s simply not sustainable. I believe we need to break that cycle and normalize conversations about mental health and self-care. There is real power in vulnerability—when we share our struggles openly, it not only makes space for healing but also empowers others to do the same.
Self-care and mental health don’t have to fit society’s expectations; they can be defined by what works for you. For some, it’s meditation or a morning workout. For others, it might be taking quiet moments for reflection, journaling, or setting boundaries. No one should feel ashamed to prioritize their well-being, and the more we talk about it, the more we can shift the narrative from burnout to balanced.
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Lessons in Growth & Resilience
TBN: What role does failure or setbacks play in your journey, and how have they contributed to your success?
AD: Failure has been one of my greatest teachers. I believe failure is not the opposite of success—it’s part of it. Every setback I’ve faced has forced me to reevaluate, pivot, and come back stronger. Early in my career, I had this belief that I needed to get everything right the first time, but through experience, I’ve learned that the missteps are often where the real growth happens. I’ve had moments where plans didn’t unfold the way I envisioned, and those moments, as difficult as they were, pushed me to innovate, adapt, and ultimately level up.
Failure taught me resilience, but more importantly, it taught me humility and the power of persistence. I now see every setback as an opportunity to refine my approach, and that mindset shift has allowed me to achieve greater success than I originally imagined. It’s the ability to rise after a fall that defines us as entrepreneurs. I often tell my clients: the only real failure is giving up. Everything else is just part of the process.
TBN: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to women just starting their entrepreneurial journey?
AD: Trust yourself and your vision, even when others don’t see it yet. The entrepreneurial path can be full of doubt and uncertainty, but the most important thing is to stay connected to your ‘why.’ Know that you don’t have to have all the answers right away, and it’s okay to ask for help. Surround yourself with a supportive community of people who believe in you, and don’t be afraid to pivot when necessary. Most importantly, remember that success isn’t just about how much money or recognition you generate—it’s about who you become in the process.
Click here to check all the interviews from our “Empowered Women Empower Women” series.