Today we’d like to introduce you to Carrie Ashley

Hi Carrie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.

Growing up, expressing creativity was celebrated – whether in the form of making music (the piano, in my case), the written word, cooking, or photography.

But I always felt the strongest pull towards creative writing. So going from journalism school graduate to account coordinator (/stand-in copywriter & editor) at a Kansas City ad agency obviously came as no surprise to those closest to me.

In 2016, however, my husband got deployment orders. And that’s when my “best laid” plans started unraveling. I could no longer dodge the unpredictable nature of being a military spouse. Moving every 2-3 years and enduring extended time apart doesn’t really mesh with a long-term career doing what you love.
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
I needed to pave my own path forward – one that would allow me to reclaim ownership over my journey. That’s when I made the conscious decision to put the corporate world behind me and open Woven Copy Studio.

Forming Woven Copy Studio from a small idea to slow down and design my interpretation of a flexible, life-centric business was a bold move. And one I’m super proud of, especially as an enneagram 6 who craves predictable, safe environments. Since bringing the brand to life, it’s purposefully grown into a place where creatives (like interior designers, brand designers, wedding photographers/planners/florists) come to feel more encouraged to show up and tell the story of their soul-fulfilling business. Free from the nervous energy of how the words will be perceived or waiting for things to feel more “complete” (aka, perfect for the public).

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

I know I’m not alone when I say my creative business owner journey has had its fair share of ups and downs. I think that’s one of the undeniable trade-offs for choosing something less predictable and “easy.”

Since I shifted away from the traditional 9-5, I’ve moved across the country three times, endured two difficult pregnancies, and given myself the space to take a proper maternity leave. Each of these situations meant stepping away from my work for *months* to focus on my family (and my personal well-being).

Taking these sabbaticals led to parting ways with clients, referring exciting projects out to other copywriters I know & love, and slowing down my income by thousands of dollars each month. I know…*gasp.* It’s always challenging to set aside the business I’ve worked so hard to build when life demands more of my attention.

But then I come back to my reason for starting in the first place. It was so I could have a more flexible life. And ENJOY it. Without worrying about how many PTO days I *don’t* have available to use and sacrificing my own personal ambitions to further someone else’s. I’ve been there, and it’s not super fun.

That reminds me of something Sahil Bloom shared in one of his newsletters (highly recommend subscribing to it, by the way!). He wrote about how we spend our time, referencing some data from the American Time Use Survey and Our World in Data.

Time spent with family and loved ones decreases after age 20. Time spent with children peaks in your 30s, then sharply declines. And time spent with coworkers is steady (!) during the traditional prime working years from ages 20-60.

As someone who could easily find herself glued to her computer screen for hours on end, I realize that as much as I cherish my business and the opportunities it brings, success, for me, means more than financial gains or the number of projects in my portfolio. It’s about having something that allows for my creative and personal pursuits to intertwine.

Are there times when things feel a bit shaky or I have to give up something? Of course. But honestly, the worries and difficult trade-offs kind of fade away when I’m soaking up quality time with my people. Plus, I’ve noticed that when I make more space for those moments, I bring more energy to my work and am a MUCH better creative partner to my clients.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

Woven Copy Studio specializes in writing brand messaging, SEO website copy, and core content for caring creatives around the country. It’s storytelling that stays true to who you are and feels good to those you serve.

When it comes to carrying your success forward, you need a copywriter who cares. Limiting my collaborations each quarter allows me to give each client the attention they deserve — noticing and celebrating the finer details that set you apart, meticulously proofreading every word, layering in the essential SEO work, and being your long-time supporter behind the screen, even when the working relationship is through.

Another piece that sets me apart is my commitment to start every collaboration with messaging. Of course, some copywriters are able to write pretty great website copy without it. But I honestly believe taking the time to identify the differentiating threads of YOUR story & mission, curate your tone of voice, and even pull together a copy catalog of on-brand words and phrases make for an even better written tapestry. After all, stitching together sentences that represent your truth and form a deep connection with perfect-fit clients is about SO much more than words that “sound” good.

Any big plans?

I’m excited to find my creative rhythm while enjoying all that this season in my life has to offer with two young kids at home. Being a parent definitely calls for creativity (like asking them if they want to skip or hop to their room to make bedtime a little smoother!), and it’s all about finding the positive in the everyday. Even when it’s HARD. My goal is to bring more of this playful energy and affirmative perspective into my work at Woven Copy Studio. Here’s to rediscovering the joy and excitement in my business and the projects I take on for my clients!

Pricing:

• THE FULL TAPESTRY — Mini Brand Messaging & SEO Website Copy, average investment: $5K
• THE PATTERN — Brand Messaging, average investment: $3.5K
• THE BELONGINGS — Website Copy Audit, average investment: $1.5K
• THE BEHIND THE SEAMS — 1-Hour Copy Consulting, average investment: $450

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wovencopystudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wovencopystudio/
• Other: https://wovencopystudio.com/contact

Image Credits

Cassidy Elise Co