We were lucky to catch up with Ashley Farrell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ashley, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

If I could go back in time, I 100% wish I would’ve started my creative career earlier — and more importantly, that I would’ve owned it earlier. I actually did try in high school. I started a YouTube channel, made videos I was proud of, and then promptly got bullied out of it. Like full-on embarrassment, teasing, the whole thing. I was crushed and honestly let that experience dim my confidence for a long time.

In college, blogging became my little safe escape from the chaos of pre-law courses and team practices. Writing felt less “cringe,” less public — and for the first time, I found a voice I wasn’t totally afraid to use. Eventually, that turned into an Instagram account where I started to share more about my life, and that’s really when things started to click creatively.

Then came law school — and so did the fear again. Suddenly, I was back in that mindset I had in high school, worrying about what people would think if they saw me filming or writing content. Would I be taken seriously? Would people talk? But one day I just had this moment where I thought, Wait. This is my life. And I’m the only one who has to live it. Why would I keep shrinking to make other people comfortable? Let them talk. I’m here to live out loud and do what makes me happy — not to be “approved of.”

Now that I’ve leaned fully into content again and my platform is slowly growing, I do sometimes wonder where I’d be if I had just had the courage to keep going back then. But I also know every step — the fear, the quitting, the restarting — all shaped the way I create now. It’s more intentional. It’s more joyful. And it’s definitely more me.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi! I’m Ashley, the creator behind The MKE Blondie — a Milwaukee-based lifestyle brand that lives somewhere between approachable luxury and real-life honesty. I create content that blends everyday Midwest living with elevated style, travel, and intentional living — think cozy mornings, curated chaos, and a touch of champagne energy in sweatpants.

I actually got into content creation long before Instagram was what it is now. Back in high school, I started a YouTube channel because I genuinely loved creating, but I was seriously bullied for it — so I deleted everything and didn’t pick it back up again for years. It wasn’t until college that I found my way back to creativity. I started a blog as a little outlet — something just for me — in between the pressure of classes, team practices, and trying to figure out what I wanted for my life. Writing felt safe. It felt like something I could own without apologizing for. And over time, that turned into an Instagram presence.

But when I started law school, all those old feelings of embarrassment and anxiety came rushing back. I found myself questioning everything again — was I allowed to be both creative and career-driven? Was I going to be judged? And then I hit a point where I was just like: Why am I waiting around for other people’s permission to enjoy my life? This is it. This is my one shot — and I’m done dimming my light to fit into someone else’s idea of who I should be.

Now, The MKE Blondie is a space for anyone who’s ever felt like “too much” or “not enough” at the same time. I create short-form video, photography, and written content that focuses on travel guides, outfit inspiration, everyday beauty, and real talk about the not-so-curated parts of life. My goal is to help people romanticize the everyday while still keeping it real. Whether it’s finding the best espresso martini in Milwaukee, planning a dreamy vacation that doesn’t break the bank, or just getting dressed to feel like you again — I create for people who want joy and honesty in equal parts.

What sets my content apart is the intentionality behind it. I’m not just pushing products or hopping on trends — everything I share is rooted in a real moment, a real mood, or a real experience. I love beautiful things, but I’m also a big believer that storytelling matters more than surface-level perfection.

I’m most proud of the fact that I kept going — even when it felt easier to quit or to shrink myself. I built this platform while in law school, during big life transitions, and while figuring myself out in real-time. And I think people connect with that. I want my followers — and future brand partners — to know that my work is thoughtful, values-driven, and rooted in both community and creativity. Whether someone’s following along for inspiration, entertainment, or connection, my hope is always the same: that they feel seen, encouraged, and maybe a little more excited about their own everyday life

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

At the heart of The MKE Blondie, my biggest goal has always been to create a space that feels like you’re talking to your big sister — someone who’s been through it, figured out a few things (and is still figuring out the rest), and just wants to help you feel a little more confident navigating life. Whether I’m sharing a travel guide, a go-to lip combo, or a moment of vulnerability, my mission is always rooted in honesty. I never want people to feel like I’m just pushing content — I want them to feel like they’re getting real recommendations from someone they trust. In fact, I have many of times ended up eating the cost of a collab because I couldn’t whole heartedly recommend the products.

Long-term, I’d love for this platform to grow into something even bigger — something that allows me to expand into creating products of my own. I don’t know exactly what that will look like yet (though my Notes app is dangerously full of ideas), but the dream is to design pieces that reflect the same intention and warmth as my content: thoughtful, beautiful, functional, and personal.

More than anything, I want to build a brand that feels like a friend — one that shows up for you with joy, with realness, and with a reminder that you don’t have to have it all figured out to live a life you love. And on a personal level, I’m building this not just for myself, but to create a better life for my family.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Honestly? Part of how I built my audience was a happy accident. One of my early posts just happened to take off, and it gave me a little push of visibility I wasn’t expecting. But that moment of “luck” only mattered because I kept showing up after it. I really believe the best way to build an audience — and more importantly, a community — is to focus on what makes you you. The scroll is endless, but I want to believe that authenticity cuts through.

For me, that’s meant leaning into my voice, my Midwest roots, my love for food, gifting, people and being okay with not having everything perfectly polished all the time; I am not a very aesthetic person!

And if I could give any advice, it’s this: don’t be afraid to reach out to others. DM someone whose content you admire, comment thoughtfully, start conversations. So much of my growth has come from genuine connections — creators who uplift each other, share advice, and celebrate the little wins

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @themkeblondie

Image Credits

If you use the wedding photo: credit to Sarah Glick Photography