Ashley W.

Today, Ashley spoke to us about her company Naturale Goddace, a moment of profound loss where God led, and the relatability of Jesus. Thank you, Ashley, for joining our Founders Series!

Tell us a bit about how you grew up and your childhood: I grew up an only child in Los Angeles, raised by my parents, who, for most of my childhood, were divorced. But they never let that impact me negatively. My dad was an elder at our church, so I grew up as a preacher’s kid (PK) and was always serving in some capacity. Both of my parents were incredibly hardworking, so between their jobs, I spent a lot of time with my second family—sports teams and church youth groups. I started playing sports at eight years old and continued all the way through high school. My parents were huge sports fans and showed up to every game they could. Before my junior year of high school, I lost my dad to cancer. That was really tough because I was a total Daddy’s Girl. Since then, my mom and I have formed an unbreakable bond that I’m so grateful for. She’s my girl! Honestly, sometimes I question who’s the parent between the two of us, but our relationship is exactly what God knew we needed.

Inspiring biblical passage of the moment: A passage that’s really been inspiring me lately is “Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.” —1 Thessalonians 4:11 (NLT). It’s such a simple but powerful reminder. It’s so easy to get caught up in the comparison game, especially when you’re building a business and constantly seeing others’ success on social media. But this verse keeps me grounded, reminding me to stay focused on what I have been called to do and to trust that my gifts are enough.

Spiritual growth focus at the moment: Right now, my biggest focus in my spiritual growth is learning not to compare my work or efforts to someone else’s or to question if what I’m doing is “good enough.” I’m working on staying in my own lane, walking in wisdom and discernment, and trusting that the path God has given me is mine for a reason.

Profession/Mission: I work in sports medicine as an athletic trainer for a community college athletics department, and I’ve been in this career for eight years. To put it simply, it’s a profession that blends emergency care, physical therapy, and sports into one. Every day, I show up hoping to help my athletes not just perform better, but also grow as individuals. The most rewarding part of my career is being someone they can trust—whether it’s for injury recovery, life advice, or just a listening ear.

In addition to my career in sports medicine, I’m also the founder of Naturale Goddace, a skincare brand that I started four years ago. Our mission is to help women with dry skin create the best version of their skin story by providing high-quality, coconut-free skincare that prioritizes moisture, skin health, and self-care. Naturale Goddace is about more than just products—it’s about empowering women to feel confident in their skin and embracing skincare as an intentional ritual.

Both of my careers are rooted in care, healing, and empowerment—whether it’s helping an athlete recover from an injury or helping someone find a skincare routine that truly nourishes their skin.

“Naturale Goddace is about more than just products—it’s about empowering women to feel confident in their skin and embracing skincare as an intentional ritual.”

If you could recommend a hero product from Naturale Goddace, what would it be? We’ve been becoming known for our Serenity products, but for someone who’s trying to identify which scent to purchase, I’d highly recommend our mini sets! We have them both as body butters and body oils!

How would you describe Jesus? I would describe Jesus as relatable because He’s experienced everything I have and ever will. I think sometimes people focus so much on His deity that they forget He was also fully human. He walked through emotions, struggles, and temptations—just like us. I’d also describe Him as compassionate. No matter what issue someone brought to Him, He always responded with grace. He didn’t belittle or condemn; instead, He forgave, encouraged, and reminded people to have faith.

“I would describe Jesus as relatable because He’s experienced everything I have and ever will.”

How has your relationship with Him changed you? My relationship with God has made me more peaceful, forgiving, and patient. I think I’m getting better at extending grace to others—whether it’s at work, while driving (lol), or at home. It’s also changed my perspective on life. I don’t stress as much about what’s happening in the world—politics, trending topics, all of that. Partly because I know how my min can ruminate into a world of “what-if’s” and create situations or scenarios that aren’t even real. Instead, I try to focus on God being in control of everything.

What has been the darkest time in your life, and how did you see God in it? The darkest time in my life was in 2016, when my significant other at the time took his own life. I was in my second year of grad school, and since his job was near my campus, we met up one day, made plans to see each other the next day, and then… I never heard from him. After almost 24 hours of silence, I went to his apartment, begged the manager to let me in, and found him. That moment changed everything. I had lost my dad to cancer as a teenager, but this… this was different. I never saw it coming. That was the first time I truly had to lean on God for everything. Over time, I saw how He carried me through it—helping me stay in school, surrounding me with people who supported me, strengthening my faith, and even blessing me with a new friendship that I didn’t know I needed. It was a defining moment in my life.

What has helped you grow spiritually in this season? One thing that’s really helped me grow spiritually in this season is my church community—especially my teachers in our Young Adult Bible classes. They’re so transparent in their own journeys, which makes it a safe space for us to be open too. We have real conversations—about things you don’t always hear discussed in church, like sexual ethics or the root causes of habitual sins. They also challenge us to dig deep when reading scripture, to examine ourselves, and to truly study for understanding, not just knowledge.

Just read/currently reading (and what has it taught you?): Right now, I’m reading “The Story Brand”, which has completely shifted how I view my business. It’s helped me understand that my brand isn’t the hero—my customers are. I’m just a supporting character in their journey to achieving healthier, more radiant skin. I’m also reading 1 & 2 Thessalonians, which has been teaching me the importance of celebrating others in the faith, staying prayerful, and always being grateful.

Another book that’s been so eye-opening and reflective is Jackie Hill-Perry’s devotional “Upon Waking.” She naturally challenges the way we think about and approach Christianity, making me pause and really examine my faith. It’s been a refreshing and much-needed perspective shift.

Top three practical tips for staying spiritually strong:

1.Surround yourself with a solid community of like-minded people who will lift you up in weak moments and celebrate your wins.

2. Have an accountability partner—someone who can correct you in love and support you in prayer.

3. Always turn to the Word. There’s scripture for literally anything we go through.

Favorite person in scripture? My favorite person in the Bible is Paul. His story is wild—he went from persecuting Christians to bringing people to Christ. And his letters? They’re so full of love, correction, and encouragement. He was like the ultimate big brother—always cheering on the people in the faith, celebrating their growth, and pushing them to keep going. I love that.

What do you want people to learn about God when they look at you? If I want people to learn one thing, it’s that you don’t have to be perfect or have it all together for God to use you, bless you, or want the best for you.

Favorite holiday My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. I love connecting with people through food, so gathering around a table, breaking bread, and sharing what we’re grateful for just fills my heart every year.

A goal you have? Amongst all the goals I have, the one I am striving for right now is to have Naturale Goddace in three different stores within California. Expanding into retail has been a big focus for me because I want more people to experience the quality and care that goes into my products. It’s about making **luxurious, coconut-free skincare more accessible** and allowing customers to see, feel, and fall in love with it in person. This goal is pushing me to step outside my comfort zone, build relationships with retailers, and continue growing the impact of my brand.

A special tradition you and your family engage in or keep: So, my mom is hilarious. She’s always been super fun and goofy. Growing up, she had this tradition where she’d hide my Christmas gifts around the house, and I had to find them with only “hot” or “cold” clues. She’d record me running all over the place, just so she could laugh at it later. And now, even though I’m married, she still does it! It’s definitely a tradition I’ll be passing down to my kids.

What does your morning routine consist of? My morning routine is pretty structured—I start with coffee (non-negotiable), hit the gym, do my devotion, knock out some business tasks, and then head to work. In the evenings, I come home, cook dinner, and wind down by watching a show with my husband (we’ve got like four going right now—Abbott Elementary, The Floor, Paradise, and Celebrity Jeopardy). Then, I get back to business before bed.

What is on your nightstand? My nightstand essentials? A clock/charger, a notepad for random thoughts that pop up in the middle of the night, The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian, lip balm, and water (because hydration is key lol).

Define Christianity in a sentence: If I had to sum up Christianity in one sentence, I’d say it’s about people striving to honor God by loving Him and loving others.

For more Ashley:

@naturalegoddacce

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