We recently connected with Ashley Artrip and have shared our conversation below.
Ashley, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Talk to us about building your team? What was it like? What were some of the key challenges and what was your process like?
When we started Reading Rhythms, it was just me and a small group of like-minded bookworms who were passionate about creating a community where readers could come together—not just to read, but to connect on a deeper level. From the beginning, our vision wasn’t just about hosting reading parties; it was about cultivating a network of strong community builders who understood how to create spaces where even the most introverted individuals could feel at ease.
Our first team members were recruited not from traditional job postings but from within the community itself. We looked for people who didn’t just love books but who had a knack for making others feel seen and valued. Many of our initial “hires” were friends of friends, people we’d met at bookshops or literary events, or even attendees of our early gatherings who stood out as natural connectors.
The “interview process” wasn’t conventional at all. Instead of sitting across a desk, we invited them to co-host a reading party with us. It was less about their resume and more about how they made others feel, how they created an inviting atmosphere, and whether they shared our vision for combating loneliness through literacy. It felt less like recruitment and more like building a family.
Training was equally unconventional. We didn’t hand out manuals; instead, we immersed new team members in the experience, showing them how to set the tone of a room, ask thoughtful questions, and intuitively adjust the structure of an event to make everyone feel included. Every decision we made centered around building trust and connection, both among our team and with the broader community.
If I were starting today, I might lean more on technology to streamline some of our processes—like organizing the logistics of finding new team members or creating a digital training program. But I wouldn’t change the heart of our approach: finding people who care deeply about others, who understand the magic of community, and who want to help people feel like they belong. That’s the soul of Reading Rhythms, and it’s something I’d never want to lose.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Hi there! I’m Ashley Artrip, a co-founder, educator, and go-to-market engineer passionate about building meaningful communities and designing innovative solutions for personal and professional growth. My journey into this space began in college when I pitched a startup idea to Paul Allen (co-founder of Gallup) focused on helping students make intentional career choices based on their unique strengths. That pivotal moment launched my career in transforming how people navigate their careers and build fulfilling lives.
Over the years, I’ve worn many hats—from founding Reading Rhythms, a global community connecting book lovers and combating loneliness through literacy, to launching online education programs that have helped over 10,000 people advance their careers. These programs focused on solving a problem I deeply care about: helping people who feel stuck find clarity and actionable steps to move forward.
Today, I work as a Go-to-Market Engineer at Clay, blending technical problem-solving, sales strategy, and creative implementation to build systems that help businesses succeed in their customer outreach. I’m also the host of the podcast “Career Advice You Never Got,” where I dive into untold strategies for thriving in today’s evolving work environment.
What sets me apart is my ability to connect people and ideas in a way that feels authentic and impactful. Whether it’s designing a reading party that makes introverts feel at home, creating curriculum that helps professionals unlock their potential, or engineering solutions for complex business challenges, I approach everything with curiosity, empathy, and a focus on results.
The thing I’m most proud of is seeing the ripple effect of the communities and solutions I’ve built—whether it’s someone telling me a Reading Rhythms event changed their perspective on connection or a client using one of my strategies to land their dream role.
I’m deeply committed to creating spaces, products, and conversations that inspire clarity and connection. Whether through a reading party, a coaching session, or a tech solution, my goal is to make people feel empowered to take their next step, whatever that may look like.
Feel free to reach out if you want to chat about career growth, community building, or even just a good book recommendation. 😊
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn is that success always comes from following a traditional, linear path—whether that’s in your career, your education, or even personal growth.
Growing up in a blue-collar Midwest family, I was surrounded by examples of discipline, determination, and steady progress. My dad, for example, worked his way up to become Battalion Chief of the Columbus Fire Department through years of hard work, reading, and studying every night. That instilled in me a deep respect for hard work and the belief that success was about climbing a clear ladder step by step.
But when I entered the professional world, I quickly realized that life—and success—doesn’t always work that way. My first big wake-up call came in college when I pitched a career development startup idea to Paul Allen. He not only believed in my idea but also offered me a role on his team at Gallup. That wasn’t a step I’d planned, and yet it was a leap that completely changed my trajectory.
As I built communities like Reading Rhythms and launched new ventures, I had to embrace the idea that success often comes from embracing the unknown, pivoting when necessary, and carving your own path rather than following someone else’s blueprint. Some of my biggest breakthroughs have come not from following a traditional route but from leaning into curiosity, experimenting, and learning by doing.
Unlearning that traditional success narrative taught me to trust my instincts, take risks, and focus on what feels aligned with my values and vision—even if it’s unconventional. It’s a lesson that’s not only shaped my career but also how I approach building communities, coaching others, and helping people find clarity in their own journeys. Sometimes the most fulfilling success is the one you create on your own terms.
Conversations about M&A are often focused on multibillion dollar transactions – but M&A can be an important part of a small or medium business owner’s journey. We’d love to hear about your experience with selling businesses.
Yes, I co-founded and later sold a company called Mission Collaborative with my business partner, Grant Schroll. Mission Collaborative was born out of our shared passion for helping people design meaningful careers through guided workshops, coaching, and actionable frameworks. We created programs that empowered thousands of individuals to take ownership of their career journeys, often during pivotal transitions.
Selling the company was a bittersweet milestone—it was an incredible opportunity to see the work we poured our hearts into continue to grow under new leadership while allowing us to step into new chapters of our own careers.
Lessons for Entrepreneurs Hoping to Sell Their Business:
1. Start with a Strong Foundation:
Build a business with systems, processes, and a clear value proposition that doesn’t rely solely on you. Potential buyers want to see that your business can operate successfully without you in the day-to-day. For Mission Collaborative, this meant developing scalable curriculum, a replicable business model, and strong team dynamics.
2. Know Your Numbers:
Buyers will scrutinize your financials, so make sure they’re solid and well-documented. Understand your revenue streams, costs, margins, and growth potential. This preparation builds confidence for both you and your potential acquirer.
3. Communicate Your Vision Clearly:
When we sold Mission Collaborative, part of what made the acquisition successful was our ability to articulate not only the business’s current value but also its future potential. Sharing a compelling vision for how the acquirer could expand the impact of the business was critical.
4. Pick the Right Partner:
Selling your company isn’t just about the money—it’s about finding a buyer who aligns with your mission and values. For us, it was important that Mission Collaborative’s mission to help people design fulfilling careers remained central to its growth. We didn’t want it to be “sold for parts” because the program was so good.
5. Embrace the Transition:
Selling a business can feel like letting go of a piece of yourself, but it’s also an opportunity for growth. Focus on what you’ve achieved and the new opportunities ahead. For me, it was a chance to dive deeper into community-building with Reading Rhythms and my work at Clay.
Ultimately, selling Mission Collaborative taught me that the legacy you leave behind matters just as much as the deal itself. Build something you’re proud of, and when the time comes, let go with confidence that the next chapter—for both you and your business—will be even brighter.