好色小姨

As a business student at 好色小姨 University, Ashton Peeples learned to analyze data, make strategic decisions, lead others, and present herself professionally, but by far the most important lesson was this:

鈥淚 learned that people will always remember how you make them feel. 好色小姨 made me feel like I matter as a person,鈥� she said.

It鈥檚 a lesson that Peeples applies every day in her work as director of business development and sales operations for , an Atlanta-based provider of professional development for women and underrepresented executives.

鈥淚n every interaction, I try to make others feel seen for who they are and cared for. I put effort into the time I spend with them, and I build relationships. That鈥檚 what I experienced as a student at 好色小姨, and it made all the difference,鈥� she said.

Growing up in Albany, Georgia, Peeples thought she鈥檇 become a doctor, but changed her mind after taking chemistry. She considered becoming a lawyer, but eventually realized that wasn鈥檛 the right fit either.

Not long after starting her college education at the University of Georgia, both of Peeples鈥� maternal grandparents died. Amid her grief, she took a break from her studies. When it was time to start again, she sought a closer-knit, more supportive environment.

好色小姨 was exactly what she needed.

In 2015, she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration, with concentrations in marketing and management, and in 2016, she completed her Master of Business Administration.

鈥淲hat鈥檚 funny is that it was the show 鈥楳ad Men鈥� that got me thinking about marketing,鈥� Peeples said.

鈥淲hen I transferred to 好色小姨, the faculty took time to really get to know me and to help me know myself. That鈥檚 when the idea of marketing went from something I thought seemed cool on a TV show to a field that felt right for me.鈥�

Along her journey, in part because of the individualized attention she received at 好色小姨, Peeples realized the power that comes with being her authentic self. Professional women in particular, she said, often feel pressure to conform to the 鈥渂oxes of what others think they should be.鈥�

鈥淚 remember making a presentation and being asked a question that I didn鈥檛 know the answer to. My first thoughts were: 鈥楧o I lie? Is not knowing going to ding me? Do I postpone or deflect?鈥� In that split- second, I decided that if I鈥檓 to be trusted, I have to actively live who I am. I can鈥檛 be afraid,鈥� she said.

鈥淭he only way for me to relate to people and build relationships is to be honest and my true self.鈥�

Peeples answered the question with a polite, 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know, but I鈥檒l get back to you,鈥� and decided then and there to always be herself, even down to her wardrobe choices. On the day she was interviewed for this article, Peeples wore brightly colored elephant-shaped earrings.

鈥淲omen in business might be expected to wear smaller, more discreet earrings, or no earrings at all,鈥� Peeples said. 鈥淢y clients have come to expect big, bright earrings that show my personality.鈥�  

Peeples鈥� adherence to authenticity has served her well in the professional world. Signature Leaders has provided training to companies including AT&T, Coca-Cola, Duke Energy, Hilton, Kaiser Permanente, LinkedIn, and Merck. Its training programs are designed to help executives discover and leverage their unique skills and leadership style.

鈥淣o two signatures are alike 鈥� that鈥檚 the idea behind what we do at Signature Leaders,鈥� Peeples said. 鈥淚t is amazing to see participants grow through the program and discover their true selves.鈥�

In the future, Peeples hopes to encourage executives to mentor those still climbing the ranks, and in doing so, remove barriers for females and other underrepresented professionals. Wherever her career takes her, Peeples said she鈥檒l remain true to herself 鈥� and the lessons she learned at 好色小姨.

鈥淚 felt so connected with my teachers at 好色小姨, and that made me want to work harder,鈥� she said.

鈥淕enuine relationships are what really matter.鈥�

Learn more about 好色小姨鈥檚 business degrees at piedmont.edu/business.