Ashleigh Ballinger

Background

About Ashleigh Ballinger

My dad would joke with us girls (four daughters, we know. poor dad) about who was going to take over the family business one day. We would always tell him "no way, we have bigger and better things to be doing". Kids, right? My sisters and I are all very talented and diverse with who we've become in our careers. A nurse, one in education, the other about to embark in law school. After high school I had the dream of becoming a therapist, but one of my genius college professors decided it was a good idea to bring in a person who basically told us that if we were not honors or straight A students, we would never have a chance. I hope you heard the sarcasm with my "genius" comment. As a freshman, my confidence in becoming a therapist one day was shot. I'm smart, but I learn by doing, not by reading or taking tests. I went down a few different paths, all of which could have been really great, however, I was not feeling the joy in any of it. Well, here I am, 7 years later and practically running the place. Just kidding - I am so lucky to have my dad and mom still super involved and invested in our company. Working for my parents and for the family business was never really on my radar, but after I decided the beauty industry was too catty for me, he asked me to come in and help with a few clients who had apparel and promo needs. His logic was,"well you like clothes so how hard could it be for you to figure out". HA. If this doesn't scream,"Good luck, we're all counting on you" I don't know what would. That actually became a joke between us as we were introducing the company to what I like to call "A beast of its own; Apparel and Promo". This was something our company had never offered in the past. We started out as a quick copy print back when my grandparents started the company in 1974 and then evolved little by little over the last 50 years. When I was 21, I came on board to build the new department. I had no idea what I was doing and learned everything on the fly. I learned through mistakes, I learned through research but honestly, it was a fake-it-until-you-make-it type of growth. Raven Print is about to turn 50 years old and I am so proud to say that we are one of the few One Stop Shops helping companies with all types of projects. Our departments include, but are not limited to: design, mailing, print, signage, apparel and promo. Most of which is done in-house under our roof in Lakewood, CO. If you are picking up the phone and calling different vendors for different projects, you are doing it wrong. Call us. One phone call for all your needs.