February 25, 2024

OMG It's heeeeeeere 🥰🦖🫶🏼💙🚀

I am still kind of in shock that I'm sending this tbh??? I have aggressively and loudly been the person who does not love a newsletter, I'll be honest. If done well, it's so baller don't get me wrong. BUT it's hardly done well. (Shoutout to email marketers like @gal.agency who can tell you the difference). And here's the thing, I know that you think I'm the girl with typos who's a bit of a mess and you're like - how tf does she have such a successful business she literally looks like Dobby most days?! and - fair lol but the truth is - I am meticulous about the big picture and not so much in the day to day (thus the typos). And my big picture at the moment is bigger than I could've ever imagined. Here I thought I was starting a cutesy little "How to Use IG" in my NYC apartment in COVID four years ago - and now we're over here planning ways we can change...the world?! I'm so here for it.

Anyway - enter Blinders. It's kind of my unofficial word of the year because I'm doing so many things in a new and fresh way in 2024 and it was hard for me last year to think of the ways we were growing. It really scared me and I don't get scared super easily. I'm still scared who am I kidding lol but my way through it is to do so with BLINDERS on. You'll also see this space and community growing this year but I refuse to be one of those founders that ignores their community when the brand grows. Nahhh you're stuck with me. And my Walk + Talk episodes, my free Friday Office Hours on IG and now this newsletter is a way I know that you and I are chatting every week <3

What you can expect: A letter from me weekly, a summary of what you've missed in my life lately, a bit of inspo, some trends I'm seeing in the market and my thoughts on different pieces of business news, and -- whatever strikes my fancy!

You'll see below 😉 So happy to be doing this finally, and I hope we cut through the noise for a newsletter you can rely on EVERY Sunday to make your day, make you think, and for us to get to know each other better. My word of the year way PLAY so that I felt more like ME this year and I already feel that so deeply. A big part of this newsletter is to feel more like myself - and to share that with you. Thank you for making me feel so safe with you 🫶🏼

xx Ashli (PS I'm in San Diego at the moment so if you're here too let me know!)

Is listening to an audiobook considered reading?

I had an interesting conversation with someone about the way we consume media also needs to shift the verbiage we use to describe it. I personally am in the camp that audiobooks are absolutely phenomenal - but would love to see the narrative shift to "consuming" books vs. reading - to me reading is also partly the act of being so fully enveloped in the moment, and that eye-brain connection that stores fact differently when reading. It was interesting to me that one of my closest high school friends said she read 80 books last year that were all audiobooks. It made me wonder how many minutes of podcasts I had listened to and how many books that would equal. I wonder what you think? Is listening to an audiobook reading or no? I don't think there's a wrong answer personally. I also wonder how it will affect young generations. Will they be taught that to listen is to read? It wouldn't be a bad/good thing but moreso curious how this will shift language as we adapt to new tech! Personally, I'm way more of a podcast girlie - part of the reason I made this for you (and continue to add to it!)

I still can't get over the JVN sale and I talk about it with everyone.

True sincere apologies to my friends because I am sure they're sick of this conversation by now lol but what a mess! If you're not all in on business news like my nerdy ass, info like this is partly what I want to share here. So get this - JVN (as in - Jonathan Van Ness from Queer Eye) has his hair care line through a company Amirys who recently filed for bankruptcy (spoiler: bankruptcy is not all bad and if done well can really turn around a business!) Anyway part of their plan is to sell off assets, one of which is JVN Hair....for ONE MILLION DOLLARS. AKA a teeny tiny amount. I can afford to buy a business for $1M lets be real. JVN himself should have had the opportunity to buy his line - he can surely afford to - similarly to how Ariana bought back REM last year for full control. But $1M?!? It's insane. Most of you reading this could sell your business today for that kind of money and here he's an international celebrity with product in Sephora. It's tough man. Don't get me started on Arielle Charnas. Maybe next week.

I went off the deep end talking about trend forecasting.

My "close friends" group on the @teamapconsulting IG know that I'm the one who loves to share tea about corporate / big business matters I've seen first hand throughout my career - and I had no idea trend forecasting would be the next hot topic. I sometimes share my predictions for industries or trends, and someone asked how I get it right every time. The thing is, there's a simple answer (everything is cyclical) and a more complicated answer (so much of commerce is controlled at the top). I'll be repurposing these IG Stories to Tiktok if you want to follow along there. Or DM us on IG and ask to be on CF - I made a highlight for CF only so just ask - i'll add you!

These questions are either taken from my Free Office Hours on IG or our deeper dives in Office Hours in The Do-ers Club.

I love The Do-ers Club for this reason - I can almost always get back to people right away with what feels like a "small" question. I've noticed that a lot of people don't need in-depth consulting or coaching or advice for $20k, but moreso smaller bite size pieces of feedback on the daily questions that come up in entrepreneurship - being there for her this way feels great. It feels even better that it's only $197. Save your money! Looking for Office Hours on a budget? Click here.

If you can't zoom in to the screenshot, HERE'S HER QUESTION:

question on asking for feedback from a no! i had a potential client that I would love to work with, but unfortunately they decided to move forward with someone else. bummer but I know it happens. I'm wondering if there's a polite and genuine way of asking if they could tell me why they didn't want to move forward just in case there's anything I could have improved on?

HERE'S MY RESPONSE:

My take is - I don't love asking about "why not us/me" because i used to and the feedback makes you think "maybe i should be doing xyz differently" when in reality - you're doing fine! i always found the feedback to be things typically out of my control BUT if you'd like to still ask for feedback - i wouldn't position it as "what can i improve upon since you said no" but more so "would love any insight into what made it a yes for your current partner would be super helpful as we continue to grow" - its less "what did i do / why did you say no" and more "what was THEIR unique selling proposition and why did you say yes to it"

if it were me though id say something like - great! so happy you found a partner to support you! obviously i hope it works out with your current specialist, but if in some way you find yourself looking for these services again, would love to revisit the conversation. if you have a moment, would love the insight into what made it a "yes" for them as we continue to shape our processes and client experience.

keep it light, grateful, and supportive of them. it's not about showing them that it's a loss for your business but that they have your support even if that means finding someone more aligned.

Looking for ways to work together? I actually don't offer my services anymore through Team AP! The reason for this is because I'm SO active in The Do-ers Club and with my experience, I'd have to charge an unbelievably high rate - which isn't fun for me. Sure I'd make a f*ck ton of money - but literally at your expense. If you're looking to network with other people, book a call for me for as low as $175, and join Office Hours basically every week for my eyes on your business - join us for $197!!! You'll make that money back and then some. I mean, I can send you an invoice for $7,500 if you'd like to work 1:1 but - save your money and spend it on yourself. I can't pull you up the ladder if I'm also putting you in debt.

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I am so in love with my job, you guys 🥹

Some of you may be new here so I just wanted to share how much it means to me that you're in this space. I have poured my heart and soul nonstop into creating a place where women feel their MOST powerful without losing their heart along the way. I had no idea this space would blow up this way over the years, especially after spending what felt like a lifetime in corporate. But wow what a fun surprise for me!!! 🫶🏼 I have truly fallen in love with the way I get to serve you for free, and connect with you guys. I'm just so proud of you and I love you so much. xx Ashli (follow me here if you want more from ME)

Blinders

Introducing: Blinders. 🕶️