Where Are They Now: Ashley Stevens Edition

Time for the next former employee feature. Each month we’re highlighting one of our fine cousins (what we call our employees) who has left us and moved on to a new place in their working life. Once a cousin, always a cousin.

Name: Ashley Stevens

Iron Horse Brewery: Position at Iron Horse Brewery?

Ashley Stevens: Started as a Server >> Assistant Retail Manager >>then Eastern WA Sales Rep

IHB: You kinda did it all. You even modeled tap handles for us. 

IHB: What years did you work at IHB?

AS: 2011 to 2017

IHB: That’s almost a record. Here’s a fun stat –  you worked here longer than 85% of our current employees have.

IHB: What is your favorite IHB beer?

AS: Double Rainbow is the BEST!!!

IHB: It really is like having two pots of gold in your mouth at the same time.

IHB: Where do you work now?

AS: I work for MissFit Ventures LLC Managing Spokane/ Eastern WA Orangetheory Fitness Studios

IHB: Can you really fit all that on a business card?

IHB: What do you do at MissFit Ventures LLC Managing Spokane/ Eastern WA Orangetheory Fitness Studios?

AS: I am in charge of the daily Operations, Sales and Management of the Studio.

IHB: So, you are the person that keeps the place running. That’s pretty valuable.

IHB: How are you doing better now that you’ve moved on from IHB?

AS: I am in much better shape.. my new career requires me to workout instead of drinking beer daily.

IHB: We wouldn’t say drinking less beer is better.

IHB: Is there one thing that working at iron horse brewery helped you to get where you are now? Conversely, how did we ruin things for you?

AS: IHB is where I began my career in Sales– Thanks to Ross and the rest of the team I learned the ins and outs of “Product Sales”. They took a big risk on me– I had no idea what I was doing, but with time the team helped me become a selling machine. I learned very quickly that selling is an art and you must be able to create/maintain relationships with trust — once that was nailed down, beer flew out of the warehouse. With my current career, I use the same model and build trust with my members– the company now owns 4 Studios and is growing!

IHB ruined any chance of me enjoying a Coors Light — I’ve tried to sip on one but honestly do not understand why people put it to their lips. Am I a beer snob now? no, but I do love some flavor and hops– not carbonated golden water.

IHB: Our work here is done. Long live indie beer.

IHB: What is your favorite mythical creature?

AS: Do Mermaids count? I think I love them because I can’t swim and am very envious.

IHB: Of course they count. Unless you’ve seen a mermaid, and then they’re not mythical anymore so then they wouldn’t count. But you haven’t seen one as far as we know.

IHB: What is your most memorable moment at IHB?

AS: AWW so many memories at IHB over the many years I spent with the company– Dressing up as brewers for release parties, witnessing Greg attempt break dancing, laughing at how grumpy Tyson would get, Friday afternoon beer tastings with the team, almost dying during the hot dog eating contest at the Dirtbag Carnival… honestly I do not think I could pick just one specific memory, I loved my time with the Brewery… but I will never forget the night we offered “pay what you want” for beer because the world was supposedly coming to an end– our sales were insane and you couldn’t even breathe in the Micropub.

IHB: We also remember these things, and here’s all the proof.

IHB: On a scale of 1 to 10.3 how much do you miss working at Iron Horse?

AS: 10.2– I miss everything about the Brewery. I met so many amazing people that have become some of my greatest friends today. I miss all the laughs between co-workers and customers– the jokes and sarcastic comments never stopped. Every.Single.Day was a blast! I would love one more day behind the bar to sling beers for the regulars.

IHB: So what we’re hearing is that you want to be on our street team?