Work Less & Do More

We all hear this, but what does it actually mean.

Did you know that a traditional work week is 5 days but research shows on average only 2 are productive.

Work less & do more = get intentional with your calendar!

Having a planned routine of intentional activities is a lot more productive and less exhausting than an equally full schedule of mindless activities and business.

Creating a schedule and sticking to it is truly the only way to really evaluate where you are truly investing your time and gives you the opportunity to ensure that is aligning with your priorities and vision for life.

ie: something as simple as switching from checking my email every hour or mindlessly while waiting in line for my Starbucks and only checking my email twice a day 10:30 to capture anything that has come up in the morning that may need my immediate attention, and then at 3:00 when I can capture anything of priority that needs attention before the end of the day. This is WAY more productive and I’m checking less “working less” but doing more! I’m freed up to accomplish things when not mindlessly checking emails.

When I do check my emails, I have 30 minutes where it has my FULL attention and i”m not distracted in a different scenario from what I was doing in that moment like enjoying a morning coffee or devo. Having a schedule you stick to on your terms also trains others to be aware that you aren’t at their beck and call rather you are strategic and will get back to them at your strategic time so they don’t actually detract from something you may be doing FOR THEM on your scheduled time.

That’s just EMAIL. Imagine if we take that approach to everything that we do!

OTHER PRODUCTIVE TIPS:

Create your bucket schedule Monday to Friday and fill in the blanks with

1) What’s already scheduled today

2) What could I potentially do from my running list

3) What is most urgent and in line with my goals?

• Do what takes most energy first and get it over with so it’s not disrupting the rest of your day in the back of your mind.

• Sometimes procrastination is GOOD. “Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow!” PRIORITIZE. Maybe it doesn’t have to be done today, so you can delegate it to a different day so you can actually do today what HAS to be done today. Procrastination actually means PRO - “forward” in latin and CRASTINUS “belonging for tomorrow” !

XOXO

Ashley

Boundaries Baby

Time for some border control in life.

You know roughly where the lines is in various areas of your life, right? But would heads of countries be okay just kind of knowing where their border lines were? If they were just roughly drawn?

HECK NO.

It’s time that we start valuing our time, ourselves, our lives enough to but up some strict border control. Here are some categories to start with:

1) OTHERS CANNOT:

2) I HAVE THE RIGHT TO ASK FOR:

3) TO VALUE MYSELF & MY TIME, I CAN :

If you have a workout scheduled that is a part of your intentional “having it all” and a moms group invites your to brunch at the same time the day before, it’s okay to say you have an appointment.

I could give 1,000 examples of ways that sometimes we just allow others to determine the course of our days. We’ve got to keep strong against compromise or it will become constant and your intention setting we talked about on Monday was a royal waste of time. There’s no point in setting intentions if you are going to let anything and anyone push that of course.

It may seem like a little thing, and it’s only once, but then it’s twice and twenty times and three months pass and you’ve made no progress in any goals that you’ve set, and you’re not at all living the life that you set out to live, and you definitely don’t feel like you have it all.

Do it yourself chronic over achievers (like myself) want to crush any commitment they’ve made, but they make too many. Taking on more and more, and there comes a point when too many YES’S will crush you or dilute everything you’re doing.

Say the right no’s so you can say the right YES’s.

TIPS TO SAY NO.

Use an active voice: “I can or can’t” rather than “ I would or I might.” Use a 5 sentence rule. You don’t have to go on and on forever.

Thank you Sandwich: Be appreciative of invitations and opportunities, state what you are alternatively focusing on right now, and end with a suggestion for something that may work in the future, or if you want nothing to do with the invitation or opportunity, offer something of value, an idea contribution, a referral, or a compliment. And then be thankful again.

Gab union once said, I swear the second I learned to say no, that was the best anti-aging I could do for myself.

XOXO

Ash

Leaning OUT and Leaning IN

Define what it means to have “it all” for you & then devour it.

You can’t do it all, but can you have it all.

You see, having it all looks different for everyone at different seasons of their lives. No one has exactly your responsibilities and circumstances and no one combines those with precisely the same goals. Having it all will look different for everyone, and that’s why it’s so important that we examine ourselves, our lives, our goals, to really figure out what that looks like for ourselves. We can’ simply subscribe to what the world tells us is having it all but we must truly discern that for our individual lives. It’s also important for us to realize that what that looks like will look different season to season. Right now having it all may look different than it will in 5 years. When we’ve determined what that looks like for us in this season of life, we create action plans to get there!

Remember, you can do anything you want, you just can’t do it all at once. So planning and prioritization are key. Otherwise you’ll just have a mess.

Sometimes you actually have to lean out, not in. This isn’t being lazy but making mindful choices about how you spend your time. Over extending in too many areas of life often results in accomplishing very little and drains energy and motivation. And again you’ll just have a mess.

We have to lean out of the things we haven’t defined as a focus right now and not shame ourselves for it.

“Enter activity or commitment here” simply doesn’t line up with my vision and goals for this season, so unfortunately in order to really fulfill what I am focusing on, I can’t commit to investment into that.

A huge part of “having it all” is not having what we don’t need / or have as top priority in this season. We must lean out of things that aren’t a part of our focus in this season in order to have the energy to lean into what is our focus this season!

1) Acknowledge having it all and doing it all are not the same. Write down what it looks like for you to “have it all” in this season of life. Prioritize and plan what that can look like.

2) Take out your calendar, start pencilling in an action plan week to week that reflects your goals and “having it all” if you want to know what’s coming to fruition in your future just look at what’s in your calendar. If it doesn’t line up… well you may not achieve what you’d hoped you would. Find the time suckers in your life that don’t line up.

It’s about doing the right things but it’s also about NOT doing wrongs things.

You get to decide and define what “having it all” look s like for you. And to achieve that, you have to start setting up your day to day to achieve it. It’s not necessarily about doing these HUGE things to accomplish something, but it’s in the day to day routine that add up to a year and a lifetime.

If you don’t define what winning means for you, you are destined to feel like you’re loosing even though you’re not. You’re just unaware of what you’re accomplishing and will feel directionless and no further ahead.

Think about it this way, if you don’t know where you are going, but drive around all day, you won’t know how much closer you are to any destination, you’ll feel lost and annoyed, confused and no where. We need to set our desired destination, or lifestyle and work towards it. It’s time to get intentional.

Figure out where you want to do in life and reverse engineer how to get there, you can’t just jump in a car without knowing the address and expect to magically arrive at your destination.

Only 3% of people set clear intentions and actually write their goals down. But on average those people earn 10 times as much money than the other 97%. This is in no way just about money, that’s just one statistic that CLEARLY shows how much more productive, fruitful, effective and successful we can be when we set clear intentions..

Some categories to help you start setting intentions and define your desires and goals in life are… family, friends, faith, finance, fun & fitness.

Have fun :)

XOXO

Ash

SUPERWOMAN vs SUPER - WOMAN

It’s time that we kill SUPERWOMAN.

SUPERWOMAN is the concept that we can literally do everything at once. Which the attempt to do so leads to burn out every time. And it’s time that we focus on being a SUPER woman.

A SUPER woman is the concept that we can actually do anything we want to, but it can’t all be done at once. It’s the concept that we are SUPER at prioritizing, defining what is look like to “have it all” for us individually in our current season. (Knowing that it could change in the next season). A SUPER woman defines what it looks like to “have it all” right now, in their current season, and they prioritize to focus in on that. WITHOUT comparison to other people’s season… (that’s the hard part).

Behind every successful SUPER woman is herself! Make S - E - L - F a 4 letter word that LOVE and prioritize. You can’t pour from an empty jug. You can’t do all your good willed things unless you’ve kept yourself healthy: emotionally, physically, spiritually.

Studies show that we need to be intentional on building a care strategy for these areas of our lives everyday. Going hard at everything else and expecting to take 1 full day to recharge and go again isn’t actually going to fill your tank. We have to do this daily to optimize being your best in the everyday. “But my week’s are so busy” self care doesn’t necessarily have to take up hours of your day. Maybe it’s:

emotional care: listing 3 things at the end of the day that you’re proud of.
spiritual care: start your day with a scripture reading and prayer. Set the tone for you heart, mind & soul.
physical care: workout! maybe it’s a walk, maybe it’s an intense cycle class with yours truly ;)
mental care: REST! Go to bed at the same time, wake up at the same time. No phones for an hour before bed. Sleep in the dark— many benefits to a better sleep cycle.

When thinking about your S-E-L-F care, Harvard health studies have shown that gratitude in particular contributes significantly to your happiness, which makes you more productive and successful.

Just think about the word “appreciation” it means two things. Increasing value over time and giving thanks. So you want to appreciate (grow)? Then APPRECIATE (live in gratitude!).

More on being SUPER woman versus SUPERWOMAN next week. But for now, work on writing out a DAILY self care plan and try sticking to it for a week! We’ll check in on how you feel next Monday. It’s all the little things that add up to your entire life! Don’t discount what 10 minutes at the beginning and end of your day could do for your overall week and happiness!

XOXO

Ash

Recipes for Success in 2020 "How Women Rise"

On my recent vacation, 5 days at sea without cable, internet, phone service or a computer, allowed me the opportunity (forced me) the opportunity, to read 5 books! They were actually quite amazing and I have a journal FULL of take aways. So my next several blog posts will be letting you in on everything I learned!

This blog is based off of learnings from a book called, “How Women Rise” by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith.

RECIPES FOR SUCCESS IN 2020.

1) Don’t pass judgement

LESSON: It is better to listen first than weigh in immediately with a response.

Now this isn’t just in the circumstance of passing negative judgement on a person based on third party information or an assumption you may make about their behaviour or appearance. That’s an obvious DON’T. But it’s also when you’re asked your opinion on a decision, situation or circumstance. I had to learn this and am still learning this throughout my time in the workplace.

I’m an eager beaver. If you know me, you know that. When we would have brainstorming sessions, I’d be popping out ideas faster than popcorn could pop. This is a strength of mine, yes. BUT it can’t also make for others to see me as the type of person who doesn’t think before she speaks and is impulsive. (Which sometimes I am :P) BUT I was told that sometimes in meetings, actually intentionally try to NOT be the first person to speak, so that when I do speak it would hold a little more weight.

Back to the passing judgement on others. This is a stupid thing to do. It harms your reputation, and the person’s character that you are talking about. People don’t trust people that gossip and judge others. I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but if someone is gossiping to you about someone, they’re probably doing the same thing behind your back. Be the kind of person that shuts down that kind of talk, and doesn’t participate in it either. When it comes up, which it’s bound to, a simple, I’d rather not talk about that. Will shut it down pretty fast.

So there’s the first lesson from my first book! A good one for us all to implement to make this world a better place and live life as a person who is thoughtful & respectful.

The next 10 years is FULL of endless potential

I hadn’t really considered the fact that this New Year’s Eve was different than others. It was the end of a decade and the start of a new one. That got me thinking about the span of 10 years, and what has happened in the past 10. I wanted to get a sense for what I was able to accomplish in the past ten years so that I could gage what could be possible in the next ten.

In reviewing the past ten, it is INCREDIBLE what growth we can experience in our lives in the matter of ten years. Growth, relationships, friendships, accomplishments, experiences, lessons— it is truly incredible. Not only incredible but EXCITING as we look ahead to the next ten ahead of us. What is it that you want to accomplish? Set your expectations high, work hard, put plans in place and achieve the life that you want to live!

Just a few sentences ago I said, “I wanted to get a sense for what I was able to accomplish in the past ten years so that I could gage what could be possible in the next ten. And that’s true, but in the middle of doing that I was reminded that what has transpired in the past ten years is nothing short of God weaving together a beautiful narrative of my life that I could not have done outside of Him, trusting Him and his leading and his voice.

When we put our ives into God’s hands and approach each day with the attitude and posture of, God lead me, guide me, speak to me, and give me the faith, strength and provisions necessary to be obedient. When we live like that, what we would think is impossible becomes possible with God.

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Matthew 19:26 NLT

Not only does the impossible become possible, but when we commit to following God’s leading in our lives, we get to inherit the promises he has made to His people.

I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. Jeremiah 29:11 MSG

My hope is that you find encouragement in those scriptures and the fact that I am a living testament to these verses being true in my life, and there are many many others who too have decided to seek God out in day to day life, to seek his direction, wisdom and strength and see the real fruits of that start producing in their lives. And it’s for everyone. I hope that maybe this encourages you to approach 2020 with an open of mind of multiplying what the next 10 years can mean for you, for your family and friends and community, by inviting God into the picture. For me, this past decade meant travelling the world over, moving several times, going from a new reporter to working for a Christian non-profit around the world, to corporate marketing and then launching a business. It meant completing many education endeavours up to my masters, it meant going from knowing no one where I lived to meeting my best friends, single to my husband, owning no home to having a home, establishing a foundation in my local church and digging in, and so much more. There’s so much that can happen in 2020, have faith and persevere!

Here’s my look back on the past 10 years with a little lesson or observation from each. This activity was one I largely wanted to do in reflection, but I figured I’d share in hopes that in some way you are inspired to really go for it & not give up on what 2020 and the next decade can be for you! I hope you enjoy!

2010

Looking back, I think this year reminded me of the importance of setting a solid community of family, friends, mentors and leaders in your life, that are in your corner, wanting the best for you, cheering you on & investing in your life. When you meet those kind of people, hold them tight.

• Started university at Memorial in Newfoundland setting out to complete a joint Business & Arts degree.

• Began teaching voice and piano lessons at a private studio in Paradise Newfoundland

• Travelled Florida by myself for the first time on a flight to meet my cousin, aunt and uncle for a New Years trip!

• Attended my first leadership retreat as a part of Shelter Youth Leadership Team with Pastor Matt and Kayla Joy. We had a weekend together dreaming and planning for the year about what God wanted to do in our city and how we could practically help carry that out. We also did some digging into our personalities and strengths as leaders. This was very special, I don’t even think at the time we realized that it was the start of a decade.

• Moved to Toronto to attend Tyndale University for a semester and study Youth Ministry.

2011

This was a year of learning that sometimes it’s the non “sexy” things in life done well that really get you ahead. I had moved back from Toronto to finish my degree at home, settled into a routine, and learned to do the day in and day out well.

• Moved back to Newfoundland to complete my second year of university, realized math wasn’t my strong suit, switched university programs to an ENG + Comms double major with a French minor.

• Playing soccer with all my best friends on a summer house team

• Ran the Tely 10 race with my family

2012

This was a year of trying new things. I had always wanted to play varsity soccer, but I had never tried out. I thought hey, I’ve played and loved the sport my whole life, let’s go for it, and I made the team! Sometimes you just need to take the opportunities, the chances, and work your butt off. It’s both saying yes, and then working for it. Another “yes” was the Miss Newfoundland Pageant, which I didn’t win the overall title, but did win Miss Fitness, which further developed my interest in inspiring other women to pursue the BEST version of themselves, one in which cannot be separated from physical health and wellness. This is something I still am passionate about today as a fitness instructor.

• Turned 21, had a “Great Gatsby” themed party that I thought was so cool.

• Participated in the Miss Newfoundland and Labrador Pageant & won Miss Fitness.

• Started playing varsity soccer for Memorial University travelling & playing

• Did spin classes like skittles at New World Fitness with my mom

• Did a family Florida trip to New York city

• Went on a massive family + friends trip to South Beach & a Caribbean cruise with my entire family, cousins and about 5 other families, it was amazing!

• Had my first recital with my piano and voice students

• Started a diploma program alongside my degree in performance and communications media. This program led me to direct my first play, produce a documentary, write a play, write and direct a commercial and many other amazing hands on lessons that I would later bring into the marcom world.

• Started an internship that evolved into a job . at CBC News in St. John’s, landing my first on air reporting story.

• Accepted a job in Guelph, Ontario with The Gideons International In Canada and started to prepare to move! :O

2013

Wow. This was an exhilarating year for me. I landed my dream job at CBC news and graduated from my undergraduate degree (everything that I had planned checking off my list, I did) but I also quickly learned that God always has BIGGER plans than we could imagine, and for me this year, it was taking an incredible job opportunity in Ontario. This was the year that I really embodied “living by faith” and saying yes to what I felt God calling me to do no matter how crazy it seemed. Being obedient to those promptings equals an adventurous life let me tell you. I remember reading in my journal from this year that every decisions you make is either in flow with the Holy Spirit or against. I always want to be batting for the right team.

• I moved to Ontario! This was a huge adjustment. I flew up by myself and met my car in a parking lot that was stuffed with all of my belongings.

• Started my new job as a Communications Coordinator writing magazine articles for their publication, managing their social media and doing some French translation.

• Started going to a brand new church, Koinonia, joined their young adults group, a connect group and the worship team!

• My entire family visited me in Ontario and we had a little staycation in Toronto

• We went on a family trip to California!

• Travelled to Colombia and Chile with work

• Graduated with my degree & diploma!

• Travelled to Miami & a cruise with my family

2014

This year I learned that anything is possible. I remember being in Sochi, Russia at an Olympic hockey game, looking around, seeing the Olympic flame, and just being in total awe of where each little “yes” had gotten me.

• I went to Russia with The Gideons for the 2014 Winter Olympics in order to do missions work and gather stories of the impact the organization was having on the ground

• Travelled to each province in Canada with work in order to talk about my experiences with the organization in Russia, Chile & Colombia as we raised money to continue the work!

• Moved into a new house uptown waterloo with some new girlfriends I had met.

• Started my Masters program at Tyndale Seminary in Theologoical Studies

2015

This was a year where I learned that sometimes you have to remove yourself from a situation to learn that it was actually the right situation. I had gotten an incredible job opportunity in Toronto, it was with BellTV downtown Toronto and was seemingly my dream job. I had always wondered if I should go back to television, so I guess this opportunity was the one that was saying, “okay Ashley, here, want to try it?… see, you’re meant to be where you are.” That was kind of what I learned in 2015. So I moved back to KW & continued my work at The GIdeons. But hey— I learned SO MUCH within that season that I took back to role at The Gideons. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn and soak up as much wisdom and practical experience and character growth as possible!

• Moved from Waterloo to Toronto to take a job with Bell TV in marketing and communications with their local TV department.

• Graduated from my Masters Program

• Travelled to Europe with my family visiting dream cities like London, Paris, Venice, Rome, Greece, Barcelona, Croatia and Turkey.

• I went BACK to The Gideons International In Canada with a dream job as a SendMe Manager, I got to build a nation-wide youth program, getting youth and young adults in living their lives on mission, getting to speak at hundreds of conferences and events throughout Canada and lead many missions trips throughout the world.

• Led my first missions trip of youth and young adults to Moldova to run safe summer camps for children and share with them about God’s love.

• I visited Sweden and Amsterdam with my friend Adrienne.

2016

As I expanded the SendMe youth program throughout Canada and began an internship program, I realized that I truly did have an entrepreneurial spirit. I knew I had the strengths and wiring of an entrepreneur, and it did run in my families blood, but this was the first time I really had the budget, and the support of an amazing organization to really run with a program and spear head it to grow with all of the ability in the world to get creative with it!

• I expanded the SendMe program hiring my first 2 employees and starting an internship program with 5 interns. I moved into a new apartment with my childhood friend Julie.

• Travelled to Brazil and Moldova again with teams of youth and young adults completing missions work.

• Started attending “The Embassy” church leading worship and speaking

• Met my best friends Meghan and Karli

• Travelled to Nashville for the first time with my bestie Karli

• I started a new role at The Gideons International In Canada, Artist Partnership Manager and had the incredible opportunity to go on tour with For King and Country for 3 weeks throughout the US fundraising at their concerts for Bibles overseas.

• Travelled to Florida with my Family for my 25th Birthday

2017

This was the year of LOVE. One of my favourite years of all. I learned that you can look for love all you want, but it often times shows up like a surprise at your doorstep. For me it was a surprise introduction at Karli’s country concert to Joshua Lee Webber. I knew the first day spending time with this man that I wanted to marry him. Our first Christmas home visiting in Newfoundland was magical, it is

• Continued working at The Gideons and had some incredible opportunities to work alongside Eric Samuel Timm in California as well as with other artists across Canada.

• Travelled to Nashville with my bestie Karli

• My bestie Meghan moved into my apartment with me

• We went to many many many country concerts of Karli’s

• I went to Florida for Easter with my girlfriends Victoria and Grace

• I met and fell in love with my husband

• My parents visited me and met and fell in love with my now husband

• I went to New York City with my family

• I brought my husband home for Christmas

• Started a new job at Sun Life Global Investments in marketing. This opportunity afforded me the amazing experience of managing the corporations social media, including that of our President! I also had the chance to help plan huge advisor events in Whistler, Toronto, a Roadshow across Canada and get to attend!

• Moved into a new house with Karli and Meghan

• Teaching spin at NF

2018

This was a year of falling in love, getting engagement and living out the dream that I had had as a little girl of planning a wedding, having engagement parties and showers and wedding dress shopping weekends.

• This year I picked up golfing because, well, my husband is obsessed. :P And it’s a fun sport! And it meant I got to be a member at Westmount— the prettiest place in Waterloo with the best breakfast might I add.

• Josh and I went to blue mountain with Lisa and Mark for a staycation birthday celebration that was so much fun!

• I went to Florida with my family, our home away from home. St. Pete’s beach has been out place of recharge and relaxation for many years!

• We travelled to Newfoundland for a summer vacation & that’s when my husband proposed at Signal Hill. We celebrated as we vacationed in iconic Newfoundland villages like Trinity and Port De Grave with my parents.

• We had an amazing engagement party in KW with our friends & family, a wedding dress shopping weekend with all of my bridesmaids in Toronto, Langdon Hall staycation, beautiful showers in KW and Newfoundland— and lots and lots of wedding planning!

• Christmas in NL with our venue visits, meal tastings, decoration shopping, and a Christmas wedding shower!

• I started running a side marketing business called Bonne Media

• I trained & instructed with Hustl & Flow cycle studio

2019

This year was the best year of my life. I started my life as wife to Joshua Lee Webber. We had the most amazing time in Newfoundland with all of our closest family and friends, an incredible honeymoon in Jamaica, followed by a summer of bliss at home as we built what is our home. I also launched my marketing company, Bonne Media FULL TIME! Cycling at Cyclone AND my bestie got married, and then Josh and I took a somewhat spontaneous trip around the world! We had a beautiful first Christmas in Waterloo and another one in Newfoundland and rang in 2020 at Signal Hill.

• Florida family bachelorette trip

• Bachelorette weekend with my girls @ Langdon Hall / Cambridge Mill / Cottage / Blue Mountain

• Lisa’s family shower & Karli & Meghan’s friends shower

• Wedding week / wedding

• Jamaica

• Launch Bonne Bedia full time

• Megs bachelorette @ Elora Mill Spa

• Meg & Ben’s wedding!

• Completed my first marathon with Joshua

• Friendsgiving & Thanksgiving + pumpkin carvings & halloween fun @ Kentucky

• Travelled to London, Paris, Barcelona, Palma, Malaga, Cadiz, Portugal, Canary Islands, Carribean

• Starting instructing spin @ Cyclone!

• Had our first Christmas in our home in KW & then travelled to NL for a second amazing Christmas!

Why I started the B O N N E brand.

I guess I have always been wired as the type of person that came up with an idea, and wanted to bring it to fruition by finding the right people to bring it help me bring it to life. And these ideas were always ones that brought joy to people, made them smile, entertained them, or added value and zest to their lives.

Take for example, coming up with plays, musicals, songs, devotionals, dance routines, spy kids club, sticker club, you know “that kid”, well, that was me. Oh and I would BEG my parents to have yard sales. I always wanted to pick out my things and sell them to other people, yes to get some cash but because I wanted to share my things with people and wanted them to be excited about getting to enjoy them too.

And this went into my teen years. I remember walking into Starbucks/Chapters and seeing all the magazines for women that I found motivating and encouraging and inspiring in areas of health, wellness, style and fitness. I used to think, maybe I will have my own magazine someday and get to influence readers in a positive way. OR one of my dreams still yet to come, getting to have a show like Live with Kelly.

But these were before the days of social media, digital blogs, IGTV and the ability to really communicate and connect instantly with “new versions” of magazines and television.

Throughout my career I have had many amazing opportunities with charities like The Gideons International In Canada, travelling the world reporting on their global work, I have been able to report with CBC, work on television shows with BellTV on the marketing side, and other cool opportunities too. But I always had this desire to pull together everything I truly enjoy, and get to do what I LOVE for a living, with myself being the only “ceiling” to what I could accomplish.

In November of last year, I started Bonne Media while I was also working in digital marketing at Sun Life Financial. I started Bonne Media as a marketing company that would help business owners bring their vision, service or product to life for other people, connecting them to their target audiences in order to engage and really accomplish what they’d set out to do. This work began to be one of the most exhilarating and rewarding things I’ve been able to do. I really approach it as if it’s my own business, with the same energy, and care as if it really were my business. (So now I get to be a collaborator with many businesses across the city and country!) I absolutely LOVE it. And we’re still growing and accepting clients AND interns if you’re interested. ;)

So fast forward to last July. I had just gotten married, went on a dream honeymoon, and I came home, quit my job and pursued my dream job of running my own business.

But very quickly, I wanted to have a little more room to explore and really expand my brand into more of a lifestyle brand. A brand that people recognized as one that inspires them and motivates them in many areas of their lives. And in very much Ashley style, I like to do a bit of everything. I know I know, there’s also the strength of doing one thing well but let’s continue… so I wanted to expand my brand. So I choose a few buckets that are all under the umbrella of BONNE.

Bonne means good, pleasant, well in French. And Bonnell was my maiden name. I really like that combination and wanted to keep that. I’m about adding zest to everyday life and living life to the fullest. If you want to live your dream life, you can! That’s the message I want to enforce.

Here are the sections of my brand, I would LOVE for you to explore, take a look around and be inspired!

B O N N E everything is:

B O N N E Media: full service marketing agency

B O N N E life: blog & podcast about living our best life!

B O N N E fashion: SHOPPING! I love to shop. This is a curation of items from my closet that you can buy, as well as an original line I’m having fun with and other recommended favs of mine!

B O N N E fitness: An inspiring collection of fitness training opportunities to inspire you to be the best version of yourself!

B O N N E travel: This is launching in JANUARY! This will be an everything you need to know about over 20 destinations globally I’ve been to with my recommendations! It’s also a travel service where I can curate a trip especially planned for Y O U!