When God places an idea on my heart, sometimes I tiptoe. Sometimes, I run.
I promised myself I’d make running (metaphorically, of course) a habit.
That’s how my first book, I Am The Bag, came to life. Back in 2019, I kept feeling a nudge to tell my story. Mostly, for my own release and healing, but I knew it would also help others. I challenged myself to write and self-publish in just one month. One month! It was intense, messy, exhilarating — but it taught me something about how I move when inspiration strikes. When I feel the pull, I abandon everything else until the words, images, etc., pour out of me.
This new book? Same deal, but a bit deeper.
Where it Started
Over the last few years, I’ve been sitting with this identity crisis: being single, childfree (by both circumstance and choice), but still deeply nurturing + being an entrepreneur who’s making it happen but…barely. Essentially, it’s felt like I’m struggling with my undeniable givens and not good at being either–a woman or an entrepreneur.
The world often only validates women through motherhood and then only gives so much slack to those who seemingly chose money and business over children and family. It’s not that black and white.
Over time, I’ve realized that my role as “Auntie” is just as powerful. I’m Auntie to my nieces and nephews, Auntie to my godbabies, and even Auntie to my “brand babies” — the clients and communities I pour into.
I wanted to write a book that honors that identity. That says Auntie is not a fallback or consolation prize — Auntie is an assignment, too.
And womanhood isn’t a monolith.
The Process
This time around, I gave myself the gift of letting the book build layer by layer:
Revisiting stories of my aunties and grandmothers.
Reflecting on how the littles in my life teach me daily about boundaries, joy, patience, and resilience.
Weaving those lessons into the world of entrepreneurship — where every gem from Auntiehood has its mirror in business and legacy.
And because I’m me, I also obsessed over design, fonts, keywords, and the perfect subtitle (spoiler: it’s An Auntie’s Blueprintless Take on OTHERhood, Business & Legacy).
Why Fingerprints
I called it Fingerprints because that’s what legacy is. Not perfect plans. Not flawless blueprints. But the marks we leave behind — in our families, in our businesses, in our faith.
This book is my fingerprint. A reflection of what it means to embrace OTHERhood, to honor the wisdom of being Auntie, and to claim legacy on my own terms.
What’s Next
Fingerprints: An Auntie’s Blueprintless Take on Otherhood, Business & Legacy will be released on October 1st.
✨ Whether you’re an Auntie by blood, by choice, or by spirit — this book is for you. We are all leaving fingerprints. And this is me leaving mine.
All Is Well— Ashlee Nicole