A local couple are able to share in their success after being recognized for their own separate businesses.
On Wednesday night, the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce and the Chatham-Kent Workforce Planning Board recognized Ben and Ashley Srokosz as Feature Entrepreneurs.
Ashley is a registered holistic nutritionist whose business (which is mainly online-based) reaches customers around the world.
"I support people in their wellness mainly with doTerra, which is an essential oil company and a wellness company," says Ashley. "I also have a part where I coach other holistic health practitioners on the business side for them to get their businesses up and running."
Ashley Srokosz at her booth in Club Lentina. December 21, 2016. (Photo by Natalia Vega)
Ashley first started her business nine years ago and branched into working with doTerra two years ago.
Meanwhile, her husband Ben runs his own business, working with media production.
He started with Spur Of The Moment Media, making videos to advertise for several different companies. Since then his business has enhanced.
"I took on a partner and now we have GATA Creative which is sort of our higher end, corporate business video," says Ben. "Anything to do with video and sound production, we do."
Being a fairly new entrepreneur, Ben says it's humbling to be recognized.
"I had a long time career at a financial institution and I broke away to do my own thing," he says. "Two years later to be a Feature Entrepreneur in town when I know there's so many amazing entrepreneurs around Chatham is just amazing."
In addition to being two successful entrepreneurs, Ben and Ashley are also parents of a four-year-old boy.
"It's pretty amazing to have those types of conversations over the dinner table and help each other out," says Ashley.
Between running their businesses and caring for their child, Ashley says the day can get quite busy, but like any marriage, communication is key.