Interview with Social Media Manager - Ashly Brook

Let's get to know Ashly Brook, a social media manager + mentor in NYC

International Women's Day is a global day celebrating women's social, economic, cultural, and political achievements.

In a series of interviews, we interviewed inspiring women entrepreneurs to learn more about their challenges and inspirations in and outside of the brand.

In this interview, we talked with social media manager, Ashly Brook.

(This article has been edited for brevity)

1. What is your company’s purpose and mission?

I'm a social media manager who helps businesses create an authentic community by building up their brand on social media while inspiring other young women to start their own social media businesses.

2. What inspired you to start your business?

I was inspired to start my business during the pandemic and saw other young women starting their businesses while browsing TikTok. I knew I had the skills to manage social media jobs, but working in-house for someone never appealed to me. So I took the plunge, and it paid off!

3. What is your favorite brand, and why?

I'm a big fan of one of my clients,Haven's Kitchen. I think they have an amazing brand ethos. They're all about educating and uplifting people to cook. They also have products that have sustainable packaging, taste really yummy and are made of real ingredients.

4. What did you do before starting the business?

I was a social media manager for a hotel and worked in an office for a jewelry designer in NYC.

5. What is your biggest challenge as an entrepreneur?

Being solo. We're so conditioned to take direction from someone else, whether through traditional education or a 9-5, that when it comes to making key decisions for your own business, it's a huge deal.

Stop worrying about what other people think/ what other entrepreneurs are doing in their business.
Don't quit just because you aren't seeing instant results.
Know your goals + character, and don't stray from your beliefs.

7. How do you spend your time when you are not at work?

I spend a lot of time outdoors with my dog. I basically try to take him on any dog-friendly errands I possibly can.

8. What do you love to do most in your daily life?

Have time for myself. I love that I have the choice to not work for the day if I'm not feeling well/ for other personal reasons.

9. How do you continue to educate yourself?

I always listen to podcasts, consume content from creators I admire, take courses, and read!

10. Any recommendations of books, podcasts, blogs, etc. for fellow entrepreneurs?

"Steal Like an Artist" by Austin Kleon is one of my favorites! It's a short read and inspiring to get your creative juices going. I ended up buying his other books as well!

11. Tell us about your logo design and what message it carries.

She's getting a bit of an update, but my current logo conveys a fun timelessness. I was going for a 70's sort of vibe and wanted to keep it a bit fun, but also a bit sleek and more "professional"-looking.

12. What were some obstacles in determining the brand identity?

Comparing myself to others in my field.

13. What are the key elements to building a brand that matters to your customers and how do you implement them into your day-to-day business activities?

Definitely showcasing my personality/likes through my brand. I'm very into organic things (like plants), and you can see a ton of greenery in my color palette. In my day-to-day life, I showcase me watering my plants, and you can always find me wearing my favorite color (olive green).

If you’d like to connect with Ashly, please visit her on her website, Instagram, or Linkedin.