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18th Mar 2025

Building Community in Fashion: The Heart Behind Michelle Mae

The Journey of Ashley Lacer and Michelle Mae: A People-First Approach in Fashion

In the latest episode of the More Than A Brand Podcast, host Lindsay Trammell-Jones interviews Ashley Lacer, the founder of Michelle Mae, a fashion brand dedicated to providing stylish and comfortable clothing for women of all sizes. Ashley's journey is not just about building a successful business; it's about creating a positive impact on the lives of others, particularly women entrepreneurs.

The Heart Behind the Brand

Ashley emphasizes that her identity extends beyond her roles as a business owner, wife, and mother. At her core, she aims to leave a positive mark on everyone she encounters, whether personally or professionally. This philosophy is reflected in the mission of Michelle Mae, which was born out of Ashley's frustration with the fashion industry's lack of options for women of all sizes. She recognized a gap in the market for quality, fashionable clothing that didn't come with inflated prices based on size.

Building Community and Relationships

One of the standout features of Michelle Mae is its commitment to fostering a community among its retailers. Ashley has created a private Facebook group for boutique owners who carry her brand, allowing them to share experiences, photos, and support one another. This collaborative environment sets Michelle Mae apart from other wholesale brands, as it emphasizes relationship-building over mere transactions. Ashley believes that when businesses prioritize people over profits, success naturally follows.

Advice for Balancing Life and Business

For those juggling multiple roles, Ashley offers valuable advice: take a breath and reassess your priorities regularly. Time is a precious currency, and being mindful of how it’s spent can lead to a more fulfilling life. She encourages others to live without regrets and to focus on what truly matters.

In conclusion, Ashley Lacer's story is a testament to the power of a people-first approach in business. Through Michelle Mae, she is not only redefining fashion for women of all sizes but also creating a supportive community that uplifts and empowers others. Her journey serves as an inspiration for entrepreneurs everywhere to prioritize relationships and integrity in their business practices.

Get to know Ashley at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entrepreneurAshley/

https://www.michellemaewholesale.com/

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About the Podcast

More Than A Brand: CX Podcast
Client Relationships That Hold — With or Without You in the Room
You built your business on relationships. Your clients stayed because of how you made them feel — seen, valued, and taken care of. Then you hired a team, and somewhere in that handoff, the standard you built stopped showing up the way it used to. Clients are quieter. Renewals feel less certain. And you're still jumping into conversations you thought you'd handed off.

More Than a Brand is for growth-stage service business CEOs who are done being the only reason their client relationships hold. Every episode is about building the relationships that keep clients coming back without it all depending on you. No generic retention advice. No marketing tactics dressed up as relationship strategy. Just honest, specific conversations about what it actually takes to transfer your relationship standard to your team — and make it stick.

Hosted by Lindsay Tramel-Jones — 19-year U.S. Army veteran, CEO of Fierceified Consulting, and Client Relationship Strategist — More Than a Brand is where CEOs stop chasing the next lead and start stewarding the ones they already have.

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Lindsay Tramel-Jones