From wearing a leather fringe jean jacket as a child and aspiring to be a country music singer to line fishing in Malaysia and hiking Machu Picchu by herself (incredible!!), Ashley Tarver brings her spice for life to her business which is creating some of the most flavorful, delicious olive oils to touch your lips. The proprietor of Birmingham, Alabama based Copper Pot Kitchen, Tarver’s love for cooking and food shines in he products with flavors like Spicy Chile, Lemon-Rosemary, and Honey Balsamic. Whether you love to cook or just love to eat, Copper Pot Kitchen Olive Oils are must to add to your pantry.
What inspires you waking up each morning? There is a good bit of surprise news that comes my way. When someone from a small town in Missouri orders olive oil, that inspires me. When someone asks for a recipe or calls to ask cooking advice, that inspires me. When I cook dinner for a friend and they pepper me with questions, that inspires me. I also am really inspired learning about the obstacles and failures of entrepreneurs. From Andrew Carnegie to the modern day titans of industry, I find business and manufacturing fascinating. So many successful men and women have overcome daunting obstacles or failed entirely. They all share certain traits: tenacity, self-confidence and ambition. I am amazed by what propels some forward and what hinders others.
What inspires your work? The love of cooking. I’m often amazed when I cook with my friends. They have so many questions. I want everyone to be able to easily put together a flavorful dish. It shouldn’t be hard or intimidating. Hence, a line of infused olive oils.
How does your family inspire you? I am very close with my family. I am so thankful to have loving and strong parents. When I started my business, I had no idea how hard it was to build something of your own. The fact that my father has sustained his own law practice for 40 years is incredible. And, my mother, she took money from her retirement to help support my dream. The best part is that they love me unconditionally. When I told them I wasn’t going to go to law school and booked a flight to Buenos Aires and enrolled in cooking school, they were shocked. But, they just kind of shook their heads and let me go. They let me be my own person. I love them so much. We are far from perfect, but, I can take any worry to them and we talk it over. I am strong because of them.
What is your favorite place in the world? It is so hard to pick a favorite place! My favorite place is somewhere in the world where I am experiencing something new and seeing the world through different eyes. Some amazing experiences I have had over the last few years include sitting with a Buddhist monk who blessed me in Thailand, white water rafting from Argentina to Chile, taking a camel trek through the Sahara and camping with the Berbers, observing humpback whales on a fishing boat in Iceland, hiking Machu Picchu by myself and line fishing in Malaysia. It’s funny, I don’t consider myself an outdoorsy person, but, when I read this, I realize I feel the most alive when I am on an adventure.
What advice would you give women going through life’s trials and tribulations? Keep going. Move forward. I have experienced so many things over the last few years and it was not all positive. There have been big hurdles and broken trust. There were times I wanted to hide under the covers for days (and maybe a few days where I did). Everyone approaches trials and tribulations differently. I think it is important to feel what you are feeling. Emotion isn’t a bad thing, though, as women we are often told to bury that. Explore your feelings, talk to someone about them, seek advice and then make an intelligent and measured decision. I think we need to embrace these bad, ugly emotions in order to move forward. But, move forward we must.
How do we begin to seek a better life? Know yourself. This takes a good bit of work and introspection. It is important to know our strengths and weaknesses and work constantly to build our strengths and temper our weaknesses. Someone recently referred to certain people as “surface dwellers”. I don’t want to dwell on the surface. We begin to seek a better life by finding happiness within ourselves. Only then may we live a fulfilled and peaceful life.
Describe your personal style? Working in kitchens pretty much destroys style. You dress in black and are usually covered in some kind of food. I spend so much time in the kitchen that I am usually in black clothes with chef shoes on. If you see me in the grocery store or at FedEx, I’m also probably in those clothes (unfortunately!). When I go out, I love unique necklaces and scarves paired with a simple black outfit. I have a brightly colored scarf collection from around the world: Italy, Turkey, Peru, Spain, France, Morocco, Thailand, Malaysia. I love to drape myself with one of my scarves. I just picked up some hand woven shoes in Peru that I love. I’ve been having fun pairing those shoes with my ever growing scarf collection.
What did you wear as a child? I was laughing hysterically the other day and showing a friend my jean jacket with leather fringe from when I was a child. I wanted to be a country music singer. My poor parents endured hours of me singing. Somewhere there is a picture of me in cowboy boots and full denim. Wow… just wow! There were a lot of sweet little dresses and matching bows. A very typical Southern childhood. A far cry from what I wear these days.
What is your favorite quote? “It was inevitable: The scent of bitter almonds always reminded him of the fate of unrequited love.” It is from my favorite author, Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s, Love in the Time of Cholera. Bitter almond is indicative of cyanide poisoning. Essentially, the fate of unrequited love (or passion) is death. So, we have to love big and live big. We have to follow our passions.
Who have played mentor roles in your life? My grandmother and my father. My grandmother inspired my love of cooking. She was always cooking. Now that she is gone, I carry on with her dishes during the holidays. If I decide to play with or adjust her famous twice bakes potatoes, the family gets really upset! Also, my father. His advice is solid. It is also advice from a man’s perspective which I love. Recently, he told me “Don’t write a book. Say what you say and say it in few words.” His brusque perspective helps me to temper my reaction to certain things.
Advice to women in their 20s: You don’t have to have it all figured out! It is okay to explore different jobs. It is okay to walk away if it doesn’t feel right. Know yourself and learn what your passion is. Follow that passion. It doesn’t matter if others believe in you if you believe in yourself. Work hard. Respect yourself. Help others, always. Billionaire businessman, John Paul Dejoria, says “Everything will be ok in the end. And, if it’s not ok, it’s not the end.” I try to keep this in mind always.