Open for Business!
For a long time, I've wanted my own blog - a space for my own ramblings (it's what I'm best at), providing unsolicited advice, sharing what I'm learning and whatever else is currently holding my attention, for whoever wants to listen. Well, I've been putting it off for much too long and maybe you've heard it before:
"Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly."
"Done is better than perfect."
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. - Wayne Gretzky" - Michael Scott
So I said a polite 'f*** you' to my crippling perfectionism and hit 'Live' on this website. And here we are.
Something I haven't shared with anyone before...
A while ago I posted on my Instagram stories that I would soon be finishing maternity leave and wasn't planning on returning to my previous job and, thus, was looking for work. I wasn't entirely forthcoming because, at the time, I already knew I wanted to work for myself and I was still deciding exactly what that would look like. But I was looking to springboard some of my plans.
I've always been obsessed with business, particularly small business, and entrepreneurship.
If we're friends or acquaintances (or, heck, even strangers) and you have a small business, you already know I'm your biggest cheerleader.
I'll ask about your business before I ask about your newborn baby. I will listen intently to your wins, your fails, your ideas, your challenges, your excitement - I want to know it ALL and I will feel it all with you. What you actually don't know is this: I'm probably holding back. Internally I am vibrating with excitement for you but I'm trying to play it cool. I love your spirit, I want you to win, and I am right in the thick of it with you.
Whoa. Getting a little intense there. Dial it back, Ashley.
The fact is, my greatest desire is to help small business owners and entrepreneurs, grow their business and feel sane in the process. I want to reduce the pain points, and the personal pain that comes with owning a business, and I want to help business owners feel confident in the chaos and supported in the mess.
A personal update & announcement
Friends have been asking what I am doing for work since I keep talking about "working" but it seems I don't... have a job. Well! I am officially open for business as a freelance digital strategist. I've settled on that title as it probably best encompasses all the services I offer and how I can best support my clients, their business, and its growth. I have big plans for what I'd like that to evolve in to but we're starting here. Stay tuned for the rest.
For those who are wondering what a digital strategist is, the best definition I've seen is a "creative problem solver". Digital strategists specialize in a lot of things - social media, research and analytics, media and influencer relations, marketing campaigns, customer experience, and helluva lot more. Ultimately, I connect a business's objectives to their consumers in a way that is engaging, cohesive, and gets results through all the digital touchpoints. They bring the 'why', and I answer the who, when, where, and how.
Disclaimer: Imposter Syndrome
I'm not an expert. Honestly, I'm not even sure I know exactly know what I'm doing. (I mean, who does?) But I do know that I am educated, driven, creative, and deeply curious, with a robust background of experience. Do not doubt that. I know the direction I'm headed and this blog and freelance endeavor are my bumbling start towards those aspirations. My goal is to fail upwards and forwards, to learn and grow with my clients, and to work my ass off for them and myself.
What to expect from this blog
Let me be real with you: expect a hot mess of content.
I plan on dumping a little bit of everything here: lifestyle, parenting, food, fitness, health, finance, and Vancouver love - whatever I fancy because it is *my* corner of the internet to play with how I want.
I don't plan on it being a space for my freelance business specifically, right now, but I will definitely park some resources here for clients and expect to see some posts that are relevant to growing an online presence, brand strategy, public relations, and crushing on some businesses or agencies that I love.
Will you come with me?
With all that said! I'd love for you to come along for the ride. This space may evolve and my specific directions may change, but the destination never will. I'd love your feedback and I'd love to keep the conversation two-ways so I'm leaving the comments section open so that I'm not just talking into some empty abyss. I want this to be a place for us all to grow and enjoy, together.
Be bold,
Ashley