To know me is to know that November 1st marks the start of my Christmas season. I see no reason to wait until after Thanksgiving. The earlier, the better IMO.

Newsletter Sounds: a few tracks that carried me through October. Listen here while you read.

My word for November? Faith.

Faith that it is all working out more than I could ever ask, dream, or think (Ephesians 3:20 inspired, not the exact quote).

Some of you may not know. In 2023, when I decided to resign from my corporate job and leap into the unknown, I made that decision while working at J.P. Morgan. A little over two years later, partnering with them through F3 (Founders, Funders & Fractionals, my future of work community) felt like a full circle moment.

When I left corporate, I never imagined I could partner with legacy brands like this. This journey has shown me that you never know what is possible until you try.

You can read about the recap of the event here. What I want to focus on is how this was made possible.

It started with being in the right spaces. Even though I worked at J.P., I was there just under three years and didn’t have the chance to network across every part of the bank. It was through spending time at Fabrik, a social space I am a member of, that I ran into someone who had just joined their startup banking team. The idea didn’t take shape until I saw her again in July, but that first moment, being present in the right space, opened the door to a partnership that will hopefully grow into something powerful for both parties.

The interesting thing about putting yourself in the right spaces is that you never know what the payoff will look like. It could show up as new friendships, clarity sparked by someone’s story, or access to the resources that bring your idea to life. Put yourself where opportunity can see you and stay focused on your goals so you are ready when the moment comes.

In September’s recap, I announced Startup Baddie Live, born out of my dislike for non-nuanced business advice and my realization that I shine most on video.

So how did month one go? Freaking awesome.

For starters, it brought new energy to my content. It gives me a platform to provide value, show up, and share the advice people need.

I’ve also found my rhythm in two key areas:

1️⃣ Planning and Hosting. When I plan a show, I start by asking what topic, theory, or nuanced take deserves more conversation based on where the world is heading. A strong concept, usually just a few sentences, helps me form a focused question set. I also limit myself to three or four prepared questions so there’s room for audience input, reactions, and curiosity in real time. Being prepared is great, but too much structure can stop you from reading the moment and asking better follow-ups.

2️⃣ Guest Communications. Clear communication before, during, and after the show keeps everyone relaxed and ready to flow. I make sure guests know what to expect, what information I need, and that they can come with a clear head. That’s how you create the kind of connection and insight that viewers love. Because yes, even business-focused Lives need a little entertainment value.

Month One Stats

Watch any of the Lives on replay here: Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4 | Episode 5

What it really means to be in community.

I am starting to itch because “community” is quickly becoming a buzzword, and that worries me. People are using it without understanding the responsibility that comes with bringing humans together.

I will write a full article on this soon, but here’s the short version. True community requires acknowledging intersectionality, and that looks different for everyone.

2026!

Shout-out to my friend, PR extraordinaire Tiff Knighten, for coming to Fabrik at the end of October. Talking through your dreams is just as important as having them. Dreams stay dreams unless you speak them out loud and start taking steps.

A tip: having a huge list of goals is tempting but distracting. Narrow them down to five things you truly want to achieve. You will realize there are dozens of smaller actions that feed those five goals.

What you don’t see here is the clarity I have been building around how I want my life to look holistically, which makes it easier to set goals that actually support it.

Alert, alert, new section has entered the newsletter!

Ashley’s Thoughts On is my spot for unfiltered takes, deeper reflections, and (every so often) a hot one. I’ll use this space to talk about what’s shifting in how we work, lead, create, or broader culture.

We’ll start light: Christmas and Holiday season begins November 1st.

Let me present my case.

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, have complicated family dynamics, or are simply burned out, there’s something about holiday cheer that brings out hope, fun, and sparkle in everyone. And with it getting dark by 4:30 p.m., I say we deserve every ounce of joy we can find.

Also, capitalism. By December 26th, stores have already flipped to Valentine’s Day. So if I waited until December 1st to celebrate, I would have no time to binge Hallmark movies, enjoy Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas, attend friends and family gatherings, soak up Christmas music, or visit all the festive pop-ups across NYC and NJ.

And that, dear reader, is why November 1st marks the official start of the holiday season.

I’m in my podcast era, don’t @ me.

I’ve been loving Emma Grede’s podcast Aspire. She goes deeper than most interviewers, pulling back the curtain on big names while still delivering tactical gems.

Episode: Creating Success Word by Word with Tracee Ellis Ross

Hearing Tracee speak was inspiring. You can tell she has spent real time understanding herself. Her business philosophy is refreshing. One of my favorite quotes was when she said, “Most emergencies involve an ambulance. Time sensitive is different from emergency or urgent.”

It reminded me of how often, in past roles, I’ve seen things treated like emergencies when they weren’t. It made me think about how many times leaders or teams operate in constant urgency instead of true importance, and how much calmer and more effective things become when you know the difference.

Other moments that stuck with me:

How to Handle No’s:

When Tracee talked about bringing Pattern Beauty to life, she shared how many people told her no or tried to push her in a different direction. She walked through a step-by-step process for assessing a no, and I liked it enough to include it here. Not every no deserves to be absorbed or acted on.

For founders especially, this is such an important reminder. Investors, partners, and advisors are not the end-all be-all. You have to develop the discernment to know whether a no is about you, something missing in your idea, your timing, or their limited perspective.

Her approach stood out because it’s grounded in reflection, not reaction:

Whether you’re looking for a thought partner, a fresh perspective, or someone to help you get unstuck, here’s how I currently support folks:

If something here speaks to you (or someone you know), I’d love to hear from you.

If you made it this far, thank you. Hit reply and let me know what landed (or what you want more of next time. I’d love to hear from you.

Grateful you’re here. Talk soon.

xx,

Ashley, the Startup Baddie