Interview: Ashley Higuchi

“There is a grey space between the storyteller and the audience, and that grey space is where love, learning, empathy, compassion, and wisdom grow. So if you think any of those things are important to your life or the life of this planet, then stories are inherently intertwined with that progression. ”

Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what you do for a living?

 I own a videography and photography business. Most of my cliental is weddings and small businesses. Owning my own business has allowed me to travel a lot. So most of my spare time and free money goes towards adventuring in the mountains, and writing. My life is pretty lopsided with work. I work a crazy amount in the summer but in winter I have little work and commit to some creative projects (mostly writing and film) and think about and plan the future of my business.

 When you were younger what did you imagine you would grow up to be?

 I wanted to be a writer, an actress, or a lawyer.

 If you could go back and give your younger self advice what would it be?

 I don’t know if I would give my younger self advice. Maybe not take myself so seriously. 

 As you grew up, how did your perspective on life change and push you towards what you are doing today?

 My childhood taught me to be free and passionate. My parents did a good job cultivating both. In college, I learned discipline and humility, while getting a pretty broad perspective on life and my place in the world. The combination was a very good balance to my fiery personality because all that energy needed to be channeled. It’s a continuing growth; I don’t pretend to have it all figured out at age 26.

 What inspired you to start your business?

“I didn’t have this heaviness over my heart anymore. I felt fulfillment. I followed that fulfillment, which has led to small success, rather than chasing success to feel fulfilled.”

 Doing something that wasn’t for me. I’ve always been an idealist. Sometimes I get inspired by watching strangers interact on the street. It doesn’t take much to send my imagination spinning with potential. But that eventually lead to frustration and the realization that there was deep unhappiness in what I was spending my days, weeks, and life doing right after college. I thought I was a go getter and fearless, but when it came do it maybe I wasn’t. After graduating, I chose security and a job that wasn’t for me. That’s great for some, and it works for those people.

My love is stories and writing. I couldn’t give that up for security. I whole heatedly committed to my business and trusted that hard work and positivity would pay off. Although financially, for a while, it strained some practical responsibilities I think it was the right choice. I didn’t have this heaviness over my heart anymore. I felt fulfillment. I followed that fulfillment, which has led to small success, rather than chasing success to feel fulfilled.

What gets you out of bed in the morning? Especially days that you know are going to be tough and stressful?

 People. I have a good amount of discipline and grit, but when it comes down to it, my business is predicated on people trusting me, as are my personal relationships. On a hard day, I could easily cuddle up and shut my door to anything. But the little kick is the people that are relying on me.

Why do you think telling our stories is important?

 It’s the best way to learn. If you know the story of someone, it’s hard to mistreat them. If you know the story of a community, it’s hard to neglect it. If you know the story of where you get your plate of food, then maybe you would choose your meal differently. If you share your story with someone, you have no idea what kind of ripple that will have on them. There is a grey space between the storyteller and the audience, and that grey space is where love, learning, empathy, compassion, and wisdom grow. So if you think any of those things are important to your life or the life of this planet, then stories are inherently intertwined with that progression. 

If you could give girls growing up today one piece of advice what would it be?

Get to know yourself. It’s hard for me to give canned advice to all little girls everywhere. But other than wear sunscreen, I would say spend time with yourself and get to know her. She’s
probably beautiful, fascinating, and magical in her own way.

Can you tell us about a few of your favorite things?

 Do you have a favorite Book?

 East of Eden

 Do you have a favorite song/band?

 Way too many to say, but That Right Ain’t Shit by the Books comes to mind.

 Quote(s):

 Ask me tomorrow and they will be different, but:

 “Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and righting there is a field.
I’ll meet you there.”
–Rumi

“Expectation is the root of all heartache.”
-Shakespeare

“The more I give to thee,
the more I have
both are infinite.”
-Shakespeare

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”
-Albert Einstein

What if your life motto?

 Embrace it.