Planner Talk Podcast

19 Feb 2026 06:23

72. Building with Purpose: Business, Mental Health & Motherhood With Ashley

In this episode, Vienna and Ashley kick things off with a lighthearted introduction before diving into Ashley’s journey: how she entered the planner world and evolved her business over time. They discuss finding community within the industry and why mental health has become a central focus in both planning and product development. Ashley shares what really goes into creating a planner, the trial-and-error process behind building a brand, and how she decides which new products are worth pursuing. The conversation doesn’t shy away from the realities of inventory management and sales challenges, but it also highlights the importance of designing meaningful tools that genuinely support women’s mental well-being. As the episode unfolds, Ashley opens up about preparing for motherhood while running a business and her vision for balancing family life with future goals

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Icebreaker

02:21 Ashley Shelly's Background and Business Evolution

06:13 Finding the Planner Community

10:53 Incorporating Mental Health into Planning

16:10 The Process of Creating a Planner

22:20 Trial and Error in Business

22:55 Deciding on New Products

26:04 Navigating Inventory and Sales Challenges

28:31 Creating Meaningful Products for Mental Health

33:07 Preparing for Motherhood and Business Balance

39:36 Future Goals: Balancing Family and Business