Her Goal? Expanding Her Online Business & Writing a Children's Book
Meet Ashley Franklin of LoveHeartedKiddos.com
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If you’ve been on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram since New Year’s Eve, I’d be shocked if you haven’t seen people buzzing about Mel Robbin’s new book ‘The Let Them Theory”. Apparently, people are so aligned with her message that they are getting tattoos of the phrase. Now that’s dedication! I have it downloaded and ready to read on my Kindle and
Today’s Featured Goaldone Girl…Ashley Franklin
Ashley Franklin is a a bow-making, dream-chasing mom of two incredible little girls, Addi and Amelia, who are the heartbeat of everything she does. She’s the founder of Lovehearted Kiddos, where she mixes magic, whimsy, and love into every bow she creates.
Ashley shared a lot with me about the goals she’s proud of achieving and what she has planned for 2025.
A little-known fact about Ashley is that before she started her business, she used to daydream about creating something that would bring joy to kids while sipping coffee at 5 a.m. (even though she’s so not a morning person). She’s originally from Chicago but now calls Gary, Indiana, home—where she finds inspiration in everything from her girls’ giggles to the beauty of a perfectly tied bow.
When I asked her about her quirks she said, “Oh, I have plenty! I’m a proud Swiftie who loves sneaking Taylor Swift lyrics into everything (yes, even bow names). I also have a thing for all things spooky—my Halloween collection is where I really let my inner witch shine.”
When I asked her about what makes her unique, she shared that she’s real, raw, and all about spreading love and laughter. Whether it’s through a perfectly curated hairbow or a heartfelt story, she believes in creating moments that stick—just like bows to your hair.
A recent goal she crushed that she’s incredibly proud of was expanding Lovehearted Kiddos into new spaces and collaborations. Seeing her bows in the hands of excited kiddos and showcased alongside other amazing small businesses was such a proud moment for her. The market not only gave her the opportunity to introduce Lovehearted Kiddos to new families but also proved how much heart and community her brand can bring to life outside of just an online shop. She said it was like watching her dream grow its own little wings, and she couldn’t be more excited for what’s next!
Ashley says the single biggest factor in achieving that goal was community engagement. She went on to explain, “Whether it was connecting with customers through social media, listening to their feedback, or creating bows that genuinely resonate with them, the love and support from her community made all the difference. Staying true to the heart of Lovehearted Kiddos—creating unique, high-quality pieces that bring joy—kept her focused and inspired every step of the way. That connection and trust have been the foundation for every success!”
Achieving goals is not without obstacles though. When I asked her about this, she shared, “One of the biggest obstacles I faced was standing out in a competitive market—there are so many amazing businesses out there, and I wanted Lovehearted Kiddos to have its own unique voice. I overcame this by leaning into what makes my brand special: whimsical designs, high-quality materials, and a personal connection with my audience. Another challenge was time management—balancing my day job, being a mom, and running a business isn’t easy. I overcame this by setting small, achievable goals each week and asking for help when I needed it (hello, late-night bow prep with Netflix in the background!). Finally, there were moments of self-doubt, especially during slower seasons. I reminded myself why I started—my love for my girls and my passion for spreading joy—and kept going. Every challenge taught me resilience, and I’m so proud of how far Lovehearted Kiddos has come!”
Competition, time management, and self-doubt…these are things I think all Goaldone Girls struggle with and it’s Ashley’s positive attitude and determination that is so inspiring and reminds us that anything is possible, if we let it!
Ashley is crushing it so I really wanted her to share more about her current goals right now. And they are ambitious! She’s working on expanding Lovehearted Kiddos into more retail spaces and exploring collaborations that align with the heart of her brand. Her goal is to make her bows more accessible so families can experience the magic in person, whether it’s at a boutique or a local event. She’s also putting the finishing touches on a children’s book. It’s been a dream project inspired by her daughters, and she can’t wait to share their love-filled adventures with the world. (And yes, we will share an update here when it’s published, for sure). It’s all about growing her brand while creating meaningful moments that bring joy to families everywhere!
So what tools does she use to achieve these big, visionary goals? One of her favorite tools for reaching her goals is Trello. It’s her go-to for organizing everything from content planning to product launches. It helps her stay on track with a clear visual roadmap so nothing falls through the cracks. Plus, she says it’s easy to share with her team and keep everyone aligned. Another favorite is Canva. She' uses it for creating everything—social media posts, promotional graphics, even some product mockups. She likes it because it’s user-friendly and has tons of templates that make her designs look polished and professional, even on tight deadlines. She also can’t live without her trusty Passion Planner. She says, “There’s something so satisfying about putting pen to paper, and this planner keeps me grounded while setting clear, actionable goals. It’s helped me keep my focus, especially when balancing business and mom life!”
You all know I love to read books to help inspire me to reach my goals. When I asked Ashley about her favorite books she said, “I actually listen more to podcasts than I do reading books! One of my favorites is “How I Built This” by Guy Raz. It’s full of incredible stories from women entrepreneurs who’ve built successful businesses from the ground up. I love hearing about their journeys, challenges, and how they turned their passions into thriving companies. It’s always a great source of motivation and inspiration for me.”
“One of the driving forces behind Lovehearted Kiddos is my deep commitment to community. Whether it’s through collaborating with other small businesses, sharing my story, or just being real and authentic on social media, I strive to create a space where everyone feels connected, heard, and celebrated. It’s about more than just bows and products—it’s about creating something that brings joy and love to families, especially my own two little ones, Addi and Amelia. Keeping that core mission at the heart of everything I do has been key to my success, and I’m excited to continue growing Lovehearted Kiddos with that spirit. Thanks for the opportunity to share my journey!”
Do you want to be featured as a Goaldone Girl? I can’t wait to share your secret sauce to achieving your goals with my subscribers.
I’m not going to lie, 2024 was one of the hardest years I’ve faced in a really long time. My career took some hits, we made a big move, I became an empty nester, I had a cancer scare, and I struggled with my mental health. My big personal goal for 2024 was to launch a newsletter, I got this one started in June (thanks early subscribers!) but hit some roadblocks. As the last month of the year loomed over me, I knew I had to keep my promise to myself. One thing that helped me get my mindset right was guided meditations from Lacey Phillips. I first discovered her back in 2019 and she helped me make a big shift that summer, so I returned just in time for her authenticity challenge. If you are the least bit interested in guided meditations (you’re brought almost into a hypnotic state as Lacey leads you through visualizations for about 20 minutes) vs a mindfulness type meditation (where you focus on your breath and observe your own thoughts - which I am admittedly horrible at), I invite you try ToBeMagnetic.com and use my code JESSICA8465 for 15% off.