Following her mantra that your story is the strategy, Ashley Novak empowers women to avoid burnout, unleash their beauty and wear the good jewelry.
Sometimes you meet someone and instantly know there is a special connection waiting to be explored. That's exactly how I felt when I first crossed paths with the glamorous Ashley Novak.
One of the things I admire about Ashley is her heart for enhancing natural beauty. As a makeup artist, educator and speaker, she has a polished, professional philosophy that prioritizes skin health above all else. She has a rare gift for bridging the gap between high-end editorial glam and the authentic, everyday beauty we all strive for.
It became evident at her Real Woman of REALM photoshoot that Ashley has this unmistakable way about her—a literal glow and an inviting presence that just pulls you in. She was expressive, exuberant and joyful in front of the camera. Each photo is a window into her personality.
There is a perfect synergy between Ashley's vision and our mission at REALM Fine + Fashion Jewelry. We share a core belief that true style isn't about masking your identity, but about celebrating your natural self so you can truly shine.
While we're still new friends, I already know we'll be great friends moving forward. I am so thrilled to introduce our newest Real Woman of REALM Ashley Novak and share her inspiring spirit with you all.
Ann King Lagos
Founder + Designer
REALM Fine + Fashion Jewelry
Q+A with Ashley
I am the founder of Glam On Demand, a luxury beauty service company specializing in bridal and event beauty. For over 15 years, I have built a brand around creating elevated, intentional beauty experiences for women on their most important days.
I also run Polished and Prosperous, an operations and systems consulting firm that helps service-based entrepreneurs build the back-end infrastructure their businesses need to grow without the chaos.
for play?
Curiosity is my default setting. I am always learning something—a new technique, a new medium, anything art-related that lets me engage with creativity from a different angle. Travel feeds that same part of me. There is nothing quite like experiencing a new place and coming home with a fresh perspective. Good food, good company and a well-curated atmosphere are my idea of a perfect day off.
Curiosity is my default setting. I am always learning something—a new technique, a new medium, anything art-related that lets me engage with creativity from a different angle. Travel feeds that same part of me. There is nothing quite like experiencing a new place and coming home with a fresh perspective. Good food, good company and a well-curated atmosphere are my idea of a perfect day off.
for others?
Women's empowerment is at the core of everything I do, professionally and personally. I actively mentor beauty professionals and entrepreneurs, particularly women who are building businesses while navigating the very real challenges of doing it without a blueprint. Whether through formal mentorship, community conversations or simply showing up visibly as someone who looks like them and is doing the work—that is where my heart is.
Women's empowerment is at the core of everything I do, professionally and personally. I actively mentor beauty professionals and entrepreneurs, particularly women who are building businesses while navigating the very real challenges of doing it without a blueprint. Whether through formal mentorship, community conversations or simply showing up visibly as someone who looks like them and is doing the work—that is where my heart is.
“My personal mantra is simple: Your story is the strategy. Every experience I have had all feeds into how I show up, how I lead and how I connect. And on a lighter note? YOLO. You only live once. Life is too short to do what society tells you (play small, dress boring, skip the good jewelry). Instead: Dress to play big, dress to express, wear the good jewelry.”
— Ashley Novak
Your brand focuses on making beauty feel “intentional and seamless.” How do you ensure every client feels powerful in her skin after a session?
It starts before anyone sits in my chair. I invest in understanding who my client is—what she wants to feel, what makes her nervous, what she has always loved about herself. The technical skill matters, but the real work is in creating an experience where she feels truly seen. By the time I am finished, the goal is never “she looks beautiful.” It is “she looks exactly like herself, just fully empowered.” That shift is everything.
It starts before anyone sits in my chair. I invest in understanding who my client is—what she wants to feel, what makes her nervous, what she has always loved about herself. The technical skill matters, but the real work is in creating an experience where she feels truly seen. By the time I am finished, the goal is never “she looks beautiful.” It is “she looks exactly like herself, just fully empowered.” That shift is everything.
As an artist with 15+ years of experience, what is the one “holy grail” product in your make up kit that has never let you down?
A genuinely great setting spray. It is the unsung hero of every look I create. It can take a flawless application and make it last through ceremonies, celebrations and tears—and it always does. Everything else can be swapped or updated, but a reliable setting spray stays in the kit forever.
A genuinely great setting spray. It is the unsung hero of every look I create. It can take a flawless application and make it last through ceremonies, celebrations and tears—and it always does. Everything else can be swapped or updated, but a reliable setting spray stays in the kit forever.
Your mentorship programs focus on “long-term career sustainability.” What one piece of advice can you give professionals to avoid burnout?
Build systems before you need them. Most burnout in this industry comes from doing everything manually, from memory, at capacity. When your business only runs because you are running yourself ragged, you have built a job—not a business. The moment you systemize your client experience, communication, workflows, you get time and energy back. That is what sustainability actually looks like, and I can help you build it for your client journey.
Build systems before you need them. Most burnout in this industry comes from doing everything manually, from memory, at capacity. When your business only runs because you are running yourself ragged, you have built a job—not a business. The moment you systemize your client experience, communication, workflows, you get time and energy back. That is what sustainability actually looks like, and I can help you build it for your client journey.
We love your style! At REALM, we talk about our jewelry and Empresses having a “Classic, Romantic or Rock Star” vibe (sometimes all three). How would you describe your personal style?
Honestly, all three—but never at the same time. There are days I am fully in Classic mode: structured, clean lines, polished. Other days I lean into something more Romantic: softer, layered, a little unexpected. And then there are days where the Rock Star comes out and I want something with an edge and an attitude. What ties it all together is intention. I do not get dressed without thinking about how I want to feel and the mood I am in.
Honestly, all three—but never at the same time. There are days I am fully in Classic mode: structured, clean lines, polished. Other days I lean into something more Romantic: softer, layered, a little unexpected. And then there are days where the Rock Star comes out and I want something with an edge and an attitude. What ties it all together is intention. I do not get dressed without thinking about how I want to feel and the mood I am in.
Why do you love REALM?
REALM feels like jewelry made for women who have a point of view. The pieces are not trying to shrink into the background—they have presence. That resonates deeply with how I think about beauty and style in general. I also love that there is a community behind the brand. Being welcomed as a Real Woman of REALM is not just about wearing beautiful jewelry; it is about being part of something that celebrates women who are living fully and intentionally.
REALM feels like jewelry made for women who have a point of view. The pieces are not trying to shrink into the background—they have presence. That resonates deeply with how I think about beauty and style in general. I also love that there is a community behind the brand. Being welcomed as a Real Woman of REALM is not just about wearing beautiful jewelry; it is about being part of something that celebrates women who are living fully and intentionally.
What are your favorite pieces of REALM jewelry? Favorite REALM collection and why?
SCEPTRE is my collection. Full stop. The symbolism alone drew me in: Strength, Courage, Spirit. That is the energy I move through life with, and the pieces reflect exactly that. I gravitate toward Gold and CZ Blanc, and the SCEPTRE Linea pieces are where I live. I love how the Spirit Python Stack Ring and the Spirit Pavé Stack Ring in CZ Blanc layer together while still feeling intentional, not busy. The Linea Pavé Ring is a daily staple. On the earring side, the Exclamation Pavé Earring Medium is a perfect balance of polish and edge, and the Talon Pavé Earring is a statement I genuinely love making.
SCEPTRE is my collection. Full stop. The symbolism alone drew me in: Strength, Courage, Spirit. That is the energy I move through life with, and the pieces reflect exactly that. I gravitate toward Gold and CZ Blanc, and the SCEPTRE Linea pieces are where I live. I love how the Spirit Python Stack Ring and the Spirit Pavé Stack Ring in CZ Blanc layer together while still feeling intentional, not busy. The Linea Pavé Ring is a daily staple. On the earring side, the Exclamation Pavé Earring Medium is a perfect balance of polish and edge, and the Talon Pavé Earring is a statement I genuinely love making.
How did you and Ann meet? What kind of connections did you have then? Now?
I met Ann at the Bridge to Brilliance women's empowerment event through a mutual connection. From the moment we were introduced, Ann's energy was impossible to miss—sweet, vibrant and completely genuine. What started as a connection at an event has grown into something I genuinely treasure. We have become women in business besties, and that kind of relationship—built on mutual support and shared values—is exactly what spaces like Bridge to Brilliance are meant to create.
I met Ann at the Bridge to Brilliance women's empowerment event through a mutual connection. From the moment we were introduced, Ann's energy was impossible to miss—sweet, vibrant and completely genuine. What started as a connection at an event has grown into something I genuinely treasure. We have become women in business besties, and that kind of relationship—built on mutual support and shared values—is exactly what spaces like Bridge to Brilliance are meant to create.
Being your own Empress means making choices from a place of clarity and confidence—not from fear, not from external pressure, and not from someone else's definition of success. It means building a life and a business that reflect who you actually are.
Reign Thoughtfully is not just about what you build, it's about how. How you treat the people around you. How you show up consistently. How you make decisions that account for the long view, not just the moment. That combination of boldness and intentionality is what actually creates lasting impact.
Anything else you would like to add…?
Just gratitude. Being recognized as a Real Woman of REALM feels deeply aligned with where I am in my journey—a point where I am fully stepping into my power, professionally and personally. I hope that the women who see this feature recognize a little bit of themselves in my story. That is always the goal.
Just gratitude. Being recognized as a Real Woman of REALM feels deeply aligned with where I am in my journey—a point where I am fully stepping into my power, professionally and personally. I hope that the women who see this feature recognize a little bit of themselves in my story. That is always the goal.
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