In the latest episode of the Twendé Podcast, hosted by Em Wilder, TRILUNA Wellness co-founder Ashley Brooke James shares how staying true to her vision helped her build a successful business that now serves major corporate clients. This episode not only provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs, particularly Black and Brown founders, but also sheds light on the importance of community, vulnerability, and tenacity in business.
Key Takeaways:
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Stick to Your Vision, Even When Others Don’t See It
Early on, many pushed Ashley and her co-founder, Elizabeth, toward opening a yoga studio. But they had a bigger vision: bringing holistic wellness to corporate spaces to combat burnout. Despite skepticism, they stuck with their mission, and it paid off—especially when the demand for mental wellness surged during the pandemic.
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Your Network Is Your Foundation
Ashley’s success is deeply rooted in her “starting five,” a group of trusted friends, mentors, and her business partner. From her business partner Elizabeth Moore Amick to her childhood friends and industry mentors like Marcus Whitney, Ashley emphasizes the power of authentic relationships. These individuals, according to Ashley, aren’t just her support system, they’re her accountability partners. They push her to live her life “big and bright” and are honest with her about her shortcomings and strengths.
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Say Yes to Every Opportunity
Ashley attributes much of TRILUNA’s early success to this intentional networking strategy. Through the relationships they built at the Entrepreneur Center, they landed one of their first major clients, Craft CPA, a turning point for their business. Despite initial skepticism about their wellness offerings, especially pre-COVID, Ashley and Elizabeth remained resilient. When the pandemic hit, they emerged as thought leaders in the mental wellness space—a validation of their perseverance and foresight.
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Growth Comes From Knowing When to Pause
One of TRILUNA’s pivotal moves was to step back, reassess, and refine their business model. Although it meant sacrificing short-term revenue, this pause led to long-term clarity and success. Ashley shared how investing in a business coach helped them clarify their messaging and direction, even when it meant sacrificing revenue for nearly a year. But that period of recalibration paid off. By the fourth quarter of that challenging year, they saw an influx of business. Ashley credits this success to the hard work they put into refining their goals and staying connected to their network.
Recognizing shifts in the workplace, they expanded their offerings to cater to corporate retreats, conferences, and meetings—spaces where mental health and wellness are increasingly prioritized.
For founders, this is a reminder that sometimes, slowing down is the smartest way to move forward.
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What’s Next for TRILUNA?
Looking ahead, Ashley is excited about the future of TRILUNA Wellness. Having built a strong presence in Nashville and the Southeast, they are now eyeing expansion into new markets, including international opportunities. For Ashley, it’s not just about scaling the business; it’s about continuing to foster diverse, inclusive wellness experiences that resonate with a broad audience.
As she puts it, “Wellness is diverse, and your wellness doesn’t have to look like mine.” TRILUNA’s mission is to make wellness accessible and personal, offering everything from traditional yoga classes to unique experiences like sound baths and tarot readings. It’s this personalized approach that has set TRILUNA apart and will continue to drive its growth.
Ashley Brooke James’s journey shows that staying true to your vision—no matter how unconventional—can lead to incredible success. Listen to the full episode here and learn more about how TRILUNA is changing the way we think about wellness in the workplace.
For more inspiring stories and insights from black and brown founders, tune in to the latest episodes of the Twendé podcast at ec.co/twendepodcast.
What is Twendé? It’s our accelerator program helping minority founders grow and scale their businesses.
