Episode 31: Ashley Daily Smith: Building Artist Businesses, Leading With Faith & Empowering Creative Entrepreneurs

In this episode of Redefining Possible, Peyton Hoffman sits down with entrepreneur, artist manager, and founder of Breakroom17, Ashley Daily Smith, for an inspiring conversation about leadership, entrepreneurship, faith, and empowering creatives to build sustainable careers.
Ashley has become a respected force in the music industry through her innovative approach to artist development and management. As Founder and CEO of Breakroom17, she helps artists move beyond simply creating music and step into the role of entrepreneur, equipping them with the tools, systems, and mindset needed to build long-term success.
Throughout her career, Ashley has worked with emerging artists, Grammy Award-winning engineers, music technology startups, and management companies, developing strategies that bridge creativity with business excellence. Her mission is clear: helping artists understand that they are not only creators, but founders, leaders, and business owners.
During the conversation, Ashley shares her journey from studying entrepreneurship at the University of Southern California to launching and scaling her own company. She opens up about the lessons she learned working in music management, technology startups, nonprofit leadership, and artist development, and how each experience shaped her unique perspective on leadership and innovation.
Ashley also discusses her passion for helping women succeed in the music industry and creating pathways for creatives to build careers on their own terms. Through her Breakroom17 Artist Founder Course, consulting work, and artist management company, she is helping a new generation of musicians develop both their craft and their business acumen.
A central theme throughout the episode is Ashley’s faith. She shares how her relationship with Jesus Christ serves as the foundation for her leadership, decision-making, and vision for the future. Rather than separating faith from business, Ashley believes purpose, excellence, and service can work together to create meaningful impact.
Together, Peyton and Ashley explore entrepreneurship, artist ownership, personal growth, leadership, and the importance of building systems that allow creativity to thrive. They discuss how resilience, discipline, and a clear sense of purpose can help individuals navigate uncertainty while creating opportunities for long-term success.
This episode is for entrepreneurs, creatives, aspiring artists, and anyone looking to build something meaningful while staying aligned with their values. Ashley’s story is a powerful reminder that success becomes far more impactful when it is rooted in purpose, service, and a vision larger than yourself.