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Ashley-Williams-Peak-Talen-Capital-Solutions-The-Faces-of-Augusta

ASHLEY WILLIAMS

Meet Ashley Williams, Vice President at Peak Talent Capital Solutions (Peak). Ashley was able to squeeze me into her busy schedule; which I am so thankful for. What a bubbly personality she has; very inviting.  We asked Ashley what inspired her to her current career choice: Actually, funny story.  So, I actually came to Peak to apply for an external job and I ended up meeting with the owner, Mike Frazier, and he was so inspirational and passionate about what Peak does as a company. I got hired to work within the company on the spot after a three-hour interview.  I’ve been here for about 11 years. I would not trade it for anything in the world. A lot of people assume that because we do professional technical engineering staffing–nationwide; they think, oh, you’re just a headhunter. But, No–We are more than that.  Mike Frazier has written several children’s books, started on a series of books for the employment market and we are deeply involved in a yearly golf tournament. Each year we pick a children’s cause to give back to. This year is for Child Enrichment, which is a non-profit for mentally, physically and abused children and we do speaking engagements. Our questions continued from here.

 

 

QUESTIONS: 

 

Q. What is your favorite restaurant in Augusta, and what do you love there?

A.  It’s a place no one is going to know. It’s called Golden Garden on Deans Bridge Road, right past Walmart. It’s a Korean restaurant. I’ve been going there for about 17 years. I’ve taken a ton of people there and no one’s ever had a bad experience. Always, ask for the short ribs. #Always.

 

Q. How long have you lived or worked in Augusta?

A.  My entire life. 34 years.

 

Q. Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Augusta? Who would you like to see nominated as a Face of Augusta? 

A.  It would be my boss–Mike Frazier; he’s actually my mentor. He has really inspired me as a person to want to become more.  He has a very giving heart and especially in our line of business; you tend to put on one face for business and then, not everyone can really see how caring we are and how much we do.  He’s really taught me it’s all about leaving a legacy for yourself.  You see, I grew up, and my Papa told me: “you can have all the money in the world, but the only thing you can take to your grave is your name”.  I have lived by those wise words all my life and so, I would definitely say as much as Mike does for others–he’s been very influential in my life.  Even with my nieces, I stress to them: that if they want a pair of Jordans or anything, they’re going to work for it; that could be: picking up pine cones or another chore like sweeping. They’re going to earn a dollar-not be given a dollar.  In my job, I experience first-hand others who were raised with a silver spoon and they have one particular mindset.  I am instilling within my nieces (all three) the value of a dollar–this is how you earn it.  Sure, they see that Aunt Ashley might have really nice things, but Ashley also has worked a lot in her life to get those nice things.

 

Q. If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?

A.  Ireland.  It’s on my bucket list; it has the most beautiful scenery. I want to play golf in Ireland and I want to drink in an Irish pub on a hill somewhere. {laughs}

 

Q. What is your favorite movie OR what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theatre?

A. Favorite movie is probably Pretty Woman or Dirty Dancing. It’s a toss between both of those. Probably dirty dancing, I am thinking. Cause my dad used to always do the whole lifting us up scene from Dirty Dancing; it’s a big memory that I have from when I was growing up.

 

Q. What advice would you give a crowd of people?

A.  Be True to yourself? Don’t do things to impress other people and stick to your morals.

 

Q. What is something on your bucket list?

 A.  One thing I would love to do, and I have done it with some of our employees and many companies now offer this benefit–assisting individuals with securing their GED.  Most companies require employees to have a GED.  This person might be the best candidate for the job, but if they do not have that one piece of paper they can not even be considered.  Maybe, one day I will start a nonprofit for helping these individuals.  I know churches do it. I think it could be expanded within the community; offering this type of service.  Some people are really embarrassed that they do not have a GED; they dropped out of school 30 years ago and now it is required because they’re looking to reenter into the workforce.

 

Q. What is your favorite music/ 3 bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?

A.  I love country music and oldies.  Fleetwood Mac is a big favorite for me, I  just saw them a month ago. So I was super excited about that. I’d love to see Dolly Parton, just because she’s so sassy. Oh, and the Eagles.

 

Q. What current / former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Augusta?

A.  For me personally, my dad owned a paint and body shop for 60 years on Broad street (Johnny Howard Paint and Body Shop), a family business. He recently sold it about a year ago. The building was demolished, about a week ago.  So for me personally, that was a huge landmark, a lot of different business owners would frequently come and have breakfast with him and my Grandpa.  It was located near the fountain that is on Broad Street.

Q. Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? Where in Augusta would you have lunch?

A.  Oprah. She’s successful as hell and she has so many different revenue streams and she’s overcome so much for her to be as passionate and positive as she is. Same with  Ellen, the generosity she exhibits is just amazing.   They’re both very passionate about other people and have a big heart. They are genuine + very humbled.

Q. What is your favorite thing or something unique about Augusta?

A.  My favorite thing to do is horseback riding at Lake Strom Thurmond.  There’s a place at the lake you can ride your horses; it’s called Bussey Point Campground.   You can ride the trails and all kinds of stuff. . .

Q. Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?

A.  So probably 10 years. I’m going to be a business owner.  Here at Peak Talent Capital Solutions, we train our replacements internally; everyone starts out in the receptionist role and work their way into their next position.

Q. (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?

A.  That I have a huge heart. A lot of people see Business Ashley, but outside of work, I am probably the most generous person.  Now, with business associates I deal with fortune 500 companies to small mom and pops shop; in that capacity, I have on the business face that is required in my role.  I have to be a strong woman.  I’m 34 years old at my level being a vice president of a multimillion-dollar company. I’m the youngest in Augusta in this capacity.  I pride myself on knowing more than others, educating myself, being abreast of the current laws and so, when I do attend different lectures and events, I see my clients in there who had been in HR for 30 years and it makes me proud that I am included in the inner-circle.  I go back and tell my parents — I nailed it–I knew the subject matter well; I am often seen as the expert.  So, that’s what gives me joy to know my stuff and I’m super proud of that.

Q. Can you describe the neighborhood you grew up in?

A.  Our neighborhood was very family-centric. There were bunches of kids; we still maintain these relationships today. We would play in the neighbors’ yard doing cartwheels, play with chalk, ride our bikes, etc.–do what kids do.  We didn’t have to worry about locking our doors.  I was raised during a time when my parents had money and then,  the money went away and I saw the struggle that my parents had.  I remember one year we got horses and all kinds of stuff.   Then the next year we got socks and a jewelry box. I would never forget that look upon my mom’s face when we were eight years old; I never want my mother to have such an experience again….she is driving a brand new Lincoln, that I paid for. I help take care of them–that’s why I work so hard.

Q. What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?

A. (1.) Love  (2.) Safe and (3.) Blessed

Q. If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?

A. Cameron Diaz. She is just so funny.

Q. If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose?  {Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny} WHY?

A. Chef, I love to eat and I exercise.

Q. If you could hold on to one memory from your life forever, what would that be?

A. It would be when we were poor, my dad, we lived in a trailer park that was near the buffalo ranch.  My dad got me a rainbow-bright. It was a used little refrigerator and he was just, so proud.  My second fondest memory would be when my papa and I planted a tree in his backyard, which I’m going to get that tree eventually! It is still there.

 

Q. Who has been the biggest influence on your life? What lessons did that person teach you?

A.  My mom.  She has some physical disabilities, but she still goes to work.  She shouldn’t work, but she does with such joy.  She’s the glue that holds our family together. She’s the biggest hearted person ever; she would give money to a stranger, no questions asked, and she’s not judgemental.  She’s very optimistic about life and just a good positive and happy person.

 

OUR FINAL QUESTION

 

Q. IF YOU COULD SHARE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

A.  Work hard. Play Hard.  Life’s too short. Work hard to Play Hard.

 

Ashley-Williams-Peak-Talen-Capital-Solutions-The-Faces-of-Augusta

Thank you Ashley. You made my experience easy and comfortable.  To new beginnings.  Friends for Life.

~micki

 

Micki Esposito of Momentous Realtywould love your Faces nominations.

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