Voices Discovered: Ashley Davis Williams

Ashley Davis Williams, the Director of Customer Relations at Davis Furniture recently sat down with us to share her thoughts on career advice, what motivates her, and makes her happy.   As an NC State grad, we think this dynamo business gal gives an entirely new meaning to the quote:

“Throw me to the Wolves, and I will return Leading the Pack.”

Ashley began at Davis Furniture in January 2001 as the fourth generation of the family owned business. She graduated from Wingate University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. Ashley is actively involved with several community boards and charitable organizations in the High Point area including the High Point Community Foundation, Forward High Point Board of Directors and the Go Far Board of Directors. She is a 2001 graduate of the Leadership High Point program with the Business High Point Chamber of Commerce. Ashley is happily married to Jeremy Williams and is the adoring mother of her 8 year old son.

voices-discovered-ashley-davis-williams

Q: How did you wind up in the furniture business?

A. Being a family business, I grew up running around the factories as a child and it was the best fit for me after college.

Photography by ZoZo Photography

Q: What type of career would you have in an alternate universe?

A. Travel Blogger – would love to travel the world and discover new places!

Q: What do you wish you knew when first starting that you know now?

A. Work hard and be nice to people, it will get you far in life and career.

Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you?

A. I played soccer for almost 20 years. After college, I continued to play locally on a women’s league in Winston Salem, NC.

Photography by ZoZo Photography

Q: Best career advice you have ever received?

A. Take a minute to think before you act. Ask a few questions and then figure out how to solve the problem.

Q: Best vacation you have taken?

A. Beaches Turks and Caicos – My husband and I took our son a couple of years ago and it is a beautiful island and you can’t beat the Beaches hospitality.

Q: Where would we find you on a Sunday afternoon?

A. Relaxing on our front porch on our porch swing.

Q: What motivates you?

A. Seeing new designs come to life at our company.  We spend 2-3 years seeing them in pictures and prototypes and it is energizing to finally see these products being placed in beautiful locations around the country.

Photography by ZoZo Photography

Q: Your go-to cocktail (or mocktail)?

A. Prosecco with a splash of Elderflower liqueur and a twist of lemon

Q: What makes you truly happy?

A. Attending NC State football games on a Saturday afternoon and watching our eight year old enjoying the tailgating and game!

Photography by ZoZo Photography

Q: As you know, HPU is right here with incredible students looking to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams – what three pieces of advice would you give them?

A.

  1. Get involved with your local community whether it be through a non-profit or a Chamber of Commerce or civic group, it will be your best piece of networking either for your career or for other events in your life.
  2. Don’t be afraid to ask questions – an occasional question or clarification won’t discount your abilities—but it may help you squeeze through a tricky situation with your reputation intact.
  3. Work hard and be nice to people, it will get you far in life and career.

High Point Favorites

Q: Where do you like to grab a cup of coffee?

A. I am not a coffee drinker, but love the Debeen Spiced Chai Latte.

Q: Local shops doing everything right?

A. The Market – have you had those cakes in their bakery, they are definitely doing something right!!

Q: Favorite place to grab a drink?

A. Real Kitchen

Q: Where would you tell a first-time visitor to High Point to go and why?

A. Brown Truck Brewery – it is such a unique place to go in our town. Stay at the JH Adams Inn – beautiful, comfortable inn in our downtown area – walking distance to Brown Truck Brewery and other High Point staples like Alex’s House and Kepley’s BBQ. It isn’t in High Point, but definitely go to Southern Roots in Jamestown.

Q: Excluding yours, what High Point company or business do you admire the most?

A. I admire Brown Truck Brewery for taking the chance and opening in High Point during a time when things weren’t going in an upward direction.

It was a pleasure speaking with Ashley and we are honored to share her story here.

To learn more about some of Ashley’s favorite places, click below!

A View On | Debeen

A View On | Brown Truck Brewery

Best Places to Stay in High Point

Voices Discovered is a series where High Point Discovered asks questions to High Point business leaders and entrepreneurs to share their view, consider it a peek into the heart and soul of our local businesses. We hope you will be inspired to investigate more. Past guests have included Lisa Sherry and Tom Van Dessel.

Discover our High Points,

The HP Discovered Team

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