When Ashley Furlong realized the integrative healthcare space lacked the “root-cause” focus she desperately needed for her own family, she didn’t just look for a job—she created one. Driven by the loss of her mother and sister to chronic disease, Ashley founded Whole Health Studio to bridge the gaps in women’s wellness.
In this interview, the Integrative Health Practitioner shares her journey of stepping into the “bold and unpractical” world of entrepreneurship. From overcoming “shaking fear” to redefining success as personal alignment, Ashley offers a powerful roadmap for dreamers ready to build self-trust and turn their personal expansion into a professional calling.
There Wasn’t Really a Job to Apply For
Will you tell us more about how you became an entrepreneur and your journey to working for yourself?
I feel like entrepreneurship happened by default in my life. Through my own health journey, and losing my mom and sister to chronic disease, I was deeply pulled toward root-cause healing and integrative health. I needed to learn everything I could to protect myself and my family.
As I completed my training and education in integrative healthcare and nutrition, I realized there wasn’t really a job to apply for. There wasn’t a place or a position doing what I felt called to do. The question then became, How do I create this? How do I create something that’s missing? I could see the gaps through my own experience and by talking with other women.
So I stepped into it, and it happened little by little. I will say, it can be hard. People in your life, even those closest to you, won’t always understand the risks of starting your own business or stepping into something without a secure monthly paycheck. I get that. I told my dad that concern is totally valid.
But business ownership isn’t always practical. It’s bold. It requires self-trust. It’s really about stepping into alignment.
Shaking Fear and the Work That Changed Everything
Talk to us about your relationship with fear and how you’ve used it to propel you forward and create this beautiful space for so many people.
I had so much fear in my life, shaking fear. I had to do a lot of personal work through therapy and journaling, really peeling back the layers. What was I believing about myself? Where was the fear coming from, past experiences or childhood?
One of the biggest things that helped me was learning to separate my business outcomes from my worth as a human. Stop labeling everything in your business, work, or career as success or failure. Use it as information to guide you.
Remember, you’re a person first. Your business is just a role you have.
Success Is Honoring Your Yes and Your No
If you were to write your definition of success today, what would it be?
Success is living in alignment with my values and what makes me happy. Even something as simple as honoring your yes and your no, without being afraid to disappoint people or let them down.
I spent most of my life constantly putting other people first. I think part of that came from not loving or valuing myself enough, always seeking validation from others.
Living in alignment and not being afraid to put yourself first, that’s my definition of success.
Build Self-Trust Before You Build the Business
What advice would you give the moms in the room about taking a leap, especially when you have a small child and fear feels amplified?
Get to know yourself. Spend time with yourself. Build self-trust.
So many deeply sensitive little girls, like myself, dream big or have creative ideas, and sometimes fear gets in the way. Our generation didn’t always have a blueprint. We didn’t often see our moms having big careers or owning businesses.
Being a business owner today can feel a bit “new age.” We’re creating the roadmap as we go, and sometimes that can make you wonder, Am I even supposed to be doing this? Especially because it’s new and unique.
I would say, trust that exactly where you are is where you’re meant to be. Don’t let fear stop you. I truly believe the universe gives you what you need to become who you’re meant to be. I know that sounds cliché, but I believe it.
It Won’t Break You. It Will Expand You.
When you think about younger Ashley, what advice would you give her now?
I would give her a hug. I would tell her, You’re going to experience a lot, but it won’t break you. It will expand you.
At the end of the day, keep building a strong relationship with yourself. That’s what will carry you through.
About Ashley Furlong
Ashley Furlong is an Integrative Health Practitioner dedicated to understanding the relationship between the gut, nervous system, nutrition, and hormones, helping women with root cause healing. You can learn more about Ashley’s private practice Whole Health Studio here.
