Ashley Monk

The final countdown begins ❤️

Continuing in our girl mom era 💕

And then there were 4.

After nearly 2 years of waiting, we are over the moon to share our family is growing with baby #2 on the way ❤️

To the those in wait, I’m holding on to hope for you.

The best dad. Happy Father’s Day, I love you Dallas 💙

As a marketer, it's important to stay on top of trends and shifts in consumer behavior. But sometimes we can get so caught up in the latest tactics that we forget the basics of what makes marketing effective: understanding and connecting with our audience.

At the end of the day, it's not about the technology or the platform - it's about the people. What are their needs, desires, fears, and aspirations? How can we speak to them in a way that resonates and motivates them to take action?

That's why we always start our campaigns with a deep dive into the client's target audience. We talk to customers, analyze data, and immerse ourselves in their world. I want to know what makes them tick and how we can create messaging that speaks directly to them.

Of course, it's important to keep up with the latest tools and techniques, but they should always serve the overarching goal of connecting with our audience. As marketers, our job is not just to sell products or services, but to make a meaningful impact on people's lives.

So let's focus on the people, and let the technology follow.

Never a failure, always a lesson.

It's easy to get caught up in building a life around other people's expectations - our jobs, our partners, our children.

We look at the goals and milestones that others have set, and we try to fit ourselves into those boxes without stopping to evaluate if they actually align with our own priorities.

But it's time to change that.

It's time to take a step back and really evaluate what we want our lives to look like, and what truly matters to us.

Is it that high-paying job that takes up all of our time and energy, or is it spending time with loved ones? Is it achieving a certain level of success that society deems important, or is it pursuing a passion that brings us joy?

(Which, by the way: both are entirely possible). The issue is: oftentimes we set goals based on what other people want us to be or achieve - not our own deisres.

It's time to prioritize ourselves and build a life that aligns with our own values and goals, rather than just trying to fit into someone else's mold.

So let's take a deep breath, set aside the expectations of others, and focus on what truly matters to us. Then we can build a life rooted in purpose.

Done is better than perfect.

Another year of older, another year of experiencing so much love, growth and joy.

Every birthday, I use as an opportunity to reset and evaluate my vision for my life over next year.

This next year, I’m committed to walking in boldness, embracing more candor and vulnerability, and leaning on faith as I step into my full potential.

Thanks to everyone that’s made this year and birthday so special. Chapter 27, here we come 🎉

Happy Easter ❤️

Team is everything. We had a blast at the Pacers Game and networking in the process collectively last night. Who are your people?

"Success is not final; failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchill

I’ve decided I’m done making myself smaller in fear of being “too much”.

I’ve filtered and shaved off small pieces of myself over the years to fit in a box. Can you relate?

In fear of rejection, feeling abandoned, or not feeling closer to others I’ve refrained from sharing my thoughts and as a result sacrificed genuine connection.

I'm done.

I’m committed to continuing to be the girl again that sends too many invites until people tell me to stop or ghost me because they feel annoyed, even when I meet someone for the first time.

I’m committed to getting excited and being loud and not caring if people get annoyed because those aren’t my people.

I’m committed to playing big and dreaming things people think are impossible.

So often we sacrifice pieces of ourselves without realizing it to fit the mold for others. Over time, it takes a toll. I’m committed to continuing to walk in alignment with who I am called to be.

This weekend's agenda: some much-needed family time, girl's night, volunteering at our church, and plenty of planning for the week ahead.

We're headed into a busy season in the company, so I'm taking some time to gear up and prepare while adding in all of my favorite things to recharge.

What are your weekend plans?

Nothing is as good as it seems, and nothing is as bad as it seems.

It can feel defeating whenever we send an important text to a friend and do not get a response.

I also can't imagine how often others feel that way about me when I'm the one forgetting.

Oftentimes we hesitate to reach out again and be vulnerable with others because of one bad experience we've magnified in our head, over and over.

Yet maybe the one time we reached out for help someone had an emergency, or their child took their phone (or maybe I'm the only one who's daughter texts for them).

The point is: we don't know others' circumstances or what may go on in their lives. Therefore, we can't let others control when we decide to share.

No matter the circumstances, we have to keep trying to be vulnerable.

5 things I have to remind myself of as a working mom:

1. You can't do it all alone. Don't be afraid to ask for help, whether it's from your partner, family, or friends. Building a support system can make all the difference.

2. It's okay to say no. You have a lot on your plate and it's important to prioritize your time and energy. Say no to things that don't align with your goals or values.

3. Be kind to yourself. It's easy to feel guilty or overwhelmed, but remember to give yourself grace. You're doing the best you can, and that's enough.

4. Set boundaries. It's important to create a healthy work-life balance, and setting boundaries can help you achieve that. Whether it's turning off your work email after a certain time or delegating tasks, find what works for you.

5. Embrace the chaos. Parenting is messy, unpredictable, and sometimes downright exhausting. But it's also filled with joy, laughter, and love. Embrace the chaos and enjoy the journey.

What would you add or change on this list?

Excited at a young age she’s already wanting to imitate mom & dad.

Just start.

You don't need all the answers, all the education, and all the people to take immediate action.

Whether it's a pivot in your go-to-market strategy, your organization, starting a business, or implementing a new habit - consistent momentum and action are all you need in order to make progress.

That progress becomes the fuel to propel you on toward what you are working for.

All you need is a clear idea for your first step, and the follow-through to start.

Cheering you on as you take that first step!

Happy birthday Dallas! I can’t believe we’ve celebrated 10 birthdays together now, and can’t wait to celebrate the next 10+ more. I love you!

Grateful ❤️ Happy Thanksgiving 🦃

I recently had the opportunity to be a guest on The Strategic Marketing Show with David Bain.

Here's everything we discussed on the show:
- How has the way that paid traffic success is achieved changed over the past couple of years?
- Have ad platforms and the way that they operate changed much?
- How about the style of ads that are most effective at the moment?
- And what about tracking success - how has that changed?
- How does performance-based marketing tie in to conversion marketing?
- You use Hyros - what is that, how does it help and how does it work?

https://youtu.be/duE7oJcmcl0-

Episode 1: Shifting Expectations in the Paid Traffic Space | With Ashley Monk The paid traffic landscape is constantly changing - are you keeping up with what works best?Today we’re going to be discussing how the paid traffic landscape...