Ashli Dryden builds lifetime of journey, magnificence, enterprise

By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post

From a small city to worldwide flights and her personal enterprise, Ashli Dryden’s journey reveals how far ardour and willingness to take dangers can take you.

Dryden was born and raised in Hays, the place she graduated from Fort Hays State University in 2015, incomes a bachelor’s diploma generally research.

She labored for greater than a decade within the wholesale magnificence business, starting with SalonCentric in Hays, 715 Main St., in 2013. She then transferred to a San Diego-based retailer in 2016.

Dryden would go on to realize expertise working with L’Oréal Professionnel and alongside among the world’s most prestigious hair and make-up artists.

“If it weren’t for Hays and it weren’t for that career, I definitely would not be doing what I’m doing today,” Dryden stated.

She spent about seven years dwelling in California, the place she additionally labored in runway and hair modeling. Dryden stated she anticipated the transfer can be straightforward, nevertheless it took a number of years to regulate, particularly when driving.

“I remember being terrified and holding the steering wheel with two hands. It was just so different,” she stated. “You go from a two-lane highway to a freeway that has six different lanes.”

She later turned a flight attendant and moved to Miami in June 2024, following airline coaching, saying she was prepared for one thing completely different.

“I finally got accommodated to a new city and a new career. I’m absolutely loving it, and I think I’ll definitely stay as a flight attendant forever,” she stated.

Today, Dryden balances her work as a flight attendant with operating her personal magnificence consulting and glam coordination enterprise, Cosmetic Concierge, based mostly in Florida, whereas persevering with to journey internationally.

She stated flight attending provides her flexibility and free time, permitting her to remain related to the sweetness business reasonably than stepping away from it completely.

“I’m the type of person who thrives off continuously being busy. I love the chaos, and I love doing what I do,” Dryden stated.

As a flight attendant, Dryden travels domestically and internationally, which incorporates locations such because the Caribbean, Brazil, Paris and Tokyo.

Depending on the journey and size of her layovers, this provides her the prospect to expertise completely different cities and cultures.

Dryden operates Cosmetic Concierge independently, providing magnificence consulting and glam coordination companies for particular occasions, reminiscent of weddings.

“My job is to take that stress off of them. I provide them with a curated portfolio of artists so they don’t have to search, and from there, they pick who they want. I handle all the logistics when it comes to booking and the day of,” she stated.

If that wasn’t sufficient, Dryden maintains business-focused social media accounts the place she shares magnificence ideas, product suggestions and promotes her companies.

She is energetic on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. She stated it initially felt overwhelming, however has since turn into one in all her favourite elements of her work.

“I have not missed a day since I started last January. The key is really just to post consistently every day,” Dryden stated.

Dryden stated rising up in a small city sparked her want to discover the world, however she nonetheless returns to Hays each different month to reconnect with those that have supported her alongside the best way.

Dryden provides because of her household, SalonCentric and FHSU for her success. She graduated from Hays High School in 2010.

“I love going back to visit. It always keeps me grounded with my roots,” she stated.

Dryden encourages others to pursue their desires and by no means surrender, particularly in terms of following their passions.