Ash & Co team at Heartshare Education Center school event.

Our Story

What began as a way to keep one student’s hands busy has grown into something far greater. While attending The Heartshare Education Center, Ashlly discovered a passion for bracelet-making that quickly became the foundation of Ash & Co — a business built on creativity, purpose, and opportunity. What started as a small classroom initiative soon evolved into a thriving vocational program. Opening a classroom store created the perfect bridge between bracelet-making and real-world vocational training, allowing students to build meaningful skills through hands-on work experience. Within months, Ash & Co had fulfilled hundreds of orders while students took on roles in design, inventory management, order fulfillment, packaging, event sales, and administrative tasks.

Read Ashlly's Interview

Today, Ash & Co is expanding beyond the classroom into a growing employment and job-training program for individuals with disabilities. Through a combination of school-based learning, pre-vocational training, Supported Employment (SEMP), and community partnerships, Ash & Co provides individuals with meaningful opportunities to develop workplace skills, build independence, and participate in a real business environment. Ash & Co now serves as a bridge from school to adulthood — empowering students, pre-vocational participants, day habilitation participants, and individuals in supported employment to discover their strengths, contribute to their community, and gain valuable employment experience in an inclusive and supportive setting.

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Mamadou from the Heartshare Education Center making bracelets for customers at a school event.

Ash & Co is more than just a jewelry business—it’s a story of creativity, community, and empowerment.

Meet Ashlly

Ashlly Salce

Co-Founder & CEO of Design

Ashlly is the inspiration behind Ash & Co and one of its original makers. She plays an active role in creating bracelets, organizing materials, and participating in daily production routines. Through the program, Ashlly has developed increased independence, confidence, and pride in her work—especially when she sees her products sold in stores and at community events. Her enthusiasm and dedication helped spark the idea that students with higher support needs can meaningfully contribute when given the right supports and opportunities.

Ashlly is a student at The Heartshare Education Center, where the idea for Ash & Co first began to take shape. Outside of work, Ashlly loves arts and crafts, karaoke, and listening to music. Her favorite color is blue, and she brings creativity, positivity, and joy to everything she does.

Rachel Kramer, M.S., BCBA, LBA-NY

Co-Founder & Program Director, Ash & Co

Rachel Kramer, M.S., BCBA, LBA, is a Certified Special Education Teacher at The Heartshare Education Center in Brooklyn, New York, where she has worked with students with autism and complex learning needs for over 10 years. As a Licensed and Board Certified Behavior Analyst, she uses evidence-based strategies to teach practical life and employment skills. She founded Ash & Co to provide students with authentic, structured work experiences and meaningful roles in their community. Her goal is to create sustainable pathways from school to adult life and purposeful employment.

Diane Grzebyk, BCBA, LBA-NY

Co-Founder & Assistant Program Director, Ash & Co

Diane is a Licensed and Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has worked at The Heartshare Education Center in Brooklyn, New York for the past 18 years. As Assistant Director and Co-Founder of Ash & Co, she helps design and oversee the program’s structure, ensuring students receive individualized supports and meaningful participation in daily operations. Diane brings extensive experience in behavior support, skill development, and functional independence, helping students build confidence and succeed in real-world tasks. She is passionate about creating opportunities for individuals with autism to develop purposeful skills and be active members of their community.

Ashlly, Rachel and Diane posing for a picture at Heartshare Education Center.