We were lucky to catch up with Ashlee Nicole recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ashlee thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been fascinated by the entertainment industry. Straight out of college, I landed my first “real” job as an Online Account Manager at a company serving as New Orleans’ premiere entertainment source. I was a jack-of-all-trades, handling everything from website content and social media management to event production, and even socializing with the city’s elite. It was during this time that my entertainment, culture, and New Orleans events blog, ashleenicolespills.com, was born.

My work caught the eye of business owners who sought my services to promote their brands through content production and social media management. I began freelancing for a diverse range of businesses, from dessert shops to concert venues and bridal companies. My blog also gained recognition from larger entertainment publications, leading to opportunities as a full-time content producer, editor, and social media strategist.

But life took a turn during the pandemic when I was let go from my dream job at one of the best companies I’d ever worked for. The loss was a major blow, but I was determined not to let it bring me down. I wanted to take control of my career and my schedule, but with all the challenges posed by the pandemic, I found it hard to stay focused. To get the support I needed, I reached out to my therapist.

With the support of therapy and my fierce determination, I was confident in my ability to succeed and used my drive and passion for content production to fuel my business. I made a list of all my skills and accomplishments, and I reached out to past clients. I built a portfolio through word of mouth and hard work. Today, I am proud to say that I am building a thriving creative services business, fueled by my passion for entertainment, culture, and the vibrant city of New Orleans.

To say the journey has been easy is a major understatement. Transitioning from a steady paycheck to the uncertainties of freelancing is no walk in the park. But the freedom to create content on my own terms, on my own time is worth it. I embrace the challenge!

Ashlee , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Growing up, I was captivated by the entertainment industry. I was an avid viewer of music TV shows, reality shows, and awards shows and knew from a young age that I wanted to be a part of this exciting world.

During my college years, I interned with a local entertainment company that specialized in monthly events. As the promotional manager, I was responsible for overseeing the company’s promotional models at events and had the chance to attend some of the city’s most exciting events. After graduation, I was offered a job as an Online Account Manager, managing accounts for different brands and companies. This role helped me discover my passion for content production and management and made me popular in my circle, opening doors to work with more companies.

With my own brand, I have worked with companies that align with my interests, producing events and concerts, hosting giveaways, covering festivals, writing food and restaurant reviews, and attending tastings and unveilings. I offer a range of services, including but not limited to content production, content management, editing, social media management, and event production.

What sets me apart is my deep appreciation and understanding for the unique culture within my industry, paired with my detail-oriented approach and research skills. I am a forward-thinking individual who rises to challenges and always finds a solution, whether it be problem-solving or fact-checking. I keep up-to-date with current trends and events in my industry, giving me a wealth of knowledge. My clients choose to work with me because of my open-mindedness to new ideas and my commitment to understanding their vision and brand.

I am proud of my accomplishments throughout my career, including winning the “Hottest Blog of the Year” award at the NOLA Music Awards, having my content featured on channels like VH1, Bravo, and WE tv, and receiving continued support from my peers for over a decade.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

When I began building my brand, I was a perfectionist who was never satisfied unless every detail was just right. From the look of my website to what I posted on social media, I thrived on making sure that everything was perfect before putting out any content. However, recently, the progression in my career made me realize that striving for perfection was holding me back. I was so focused on making everything perfect that I was afraid to put my work out into the world, even if it was good enough. I was paralyzed by the fear of not living up to my own high standards. It wasn’t until I took a step back and re-evaluated my priorities that I realized that it was more important to do something — even if it wasn’t perfect — than to sit on it and wait for it to be perfect. I learned to unlearn my perfectionism and instead embrace the process of growth and improvement. This shift in mindset allowed me to become more productive and confident in my work. Now, I approach each project with the understanding that there is always room for improvement, but that it is more important to take action and learn from my experiences than to wait for perfection.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

With a strong track record of over a decade and a half in managing various brands’ content and social media presence, I have established a solid reputation. My expertise in entertainment, culture, and my in-depth knowledge of my hometown of New Orleans has also played a significant role in building trust and credibility among my peers, clients, and partners.

Throughout my career, I have demonstrated my ability to develop and execute effective content strategies, and my passion for staying on top of the latest trends and technologies has earned me recognition as a thought leader in my field. My commitment to delivering high-quality results, combined with my vast experience and deep industry knowledge, has helped me to earn the trust and respect of those I work with.

Contact Info:

• Website: ashleenicolespills.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleenicolespills/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleenicolespills
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/anicolespills
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ashleenicolespills

Image Credits
Larry Everage Bobby J Ashlee Nicole A. Marie Photography