Choosing to switch career paths is not easy, but Greene entrepreneur Anita Ashley said her choice not only to brings something new to the community, but also allows her to have fun and do something she loves.

Ashley is the sole proprietor of Ceramic Garden, a shop designed to allow people of all ages to explore the wonder of creativity and make memorable gifts or other collectibles.

“People come into my shop, have a great time and walk away with something that they may have never thought they could do,” said Ashley.

Originally from Long Island, Ashley said her life’s work was in bookkeeping, a profession she began doing while in college at SUNY Stonybrook. “You don’t always know where you will end up,” said Ashley.

Ashley said her ties with upstate New York and the Greene area started years ago when her family relocated here for her father’s job. In the following years, Ashley’s family was relocated again and she herself ended up in Pennsylvania for roughly two years.

Having lived other places throughout the country, Ashley said her time traveling was beneficial. “It is good to see what is out there. I am glad I experienced it,” she said.

Working in Manhattan, Long Island and other metropolitan areas before settling in Arizona for a decade, Ashley said the decision to come back to upstate New York came easy. “It was time,” she said.

Ashley is most proud of her daughter, Jessica. “She is a great girl,” she said, describing her daughter, who now lives in Arlington Va., with her husband.

Ashley herself comes from a family of eight children and in time they all went their own ways and some of them chose to settle in Greene.

“My sister was here and I wanted to be near my family, so coming to Greene was perfect,” said Ashley.

Coming back to Greene roughly a year and a half ago, Ashley said she wanted to open her own business and wanted to have fun doing it.