Check Out Ashley’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley.

Hi Ashley, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
When I would travel and people would ask where I was from, I would proudly tell them Cleveland. More often than not, they would give me a hard time—whether it was saying there was “nothing to do” in Cleveland or making some negative comment about the city.

But I’ve always loved where I’m from, and I’ve always known just how amazing Cleveland and the surrounding suburbs truly are.

One day, I was telling my friend about all of this, and she said, “Why don’t you start a blog and social media and show everyone how awesome Cleveland really is?”

So, in October 2019, I took the leap and started my website. Not long after, I was hosted for my very first event, and I’ve been loving this journey ever since.

What started as a way to show people the Cleveland I know and love has turned into so much more. It’s truly a passion project for me, and I’m so grateful for every adventure, experience, and person I’ve met along the way. Cleveland will always be home, and I love getting to show others just how special it is!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. When I first started, I honestly knew nothing about creating a website or how to navigate and operate all of the different social media platforms. I’m still learning as I go, and while there’s definitely a lot I don’t know yet, I finally feel like I’m getting the hang of it.

I’m also naturally pretty shy and awkward, which can make this journey a little challenging. Reaching out to businesses about potential partnerships makes me so nervous, even when I know I have nothing to be nervous about.

And then there’s putting myself on camera… that’s a whole other story! So many content creators do such an amazing job of letting their audience get to know them and sharing their personalities, and that’s something I’ve always struggled with.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I run a website, Just A Cleveland Girl, along with connected social media accounts, where I share my love for Cleveland and beyond.

I’m known for partnering with local business owners and showcasing their talents, products, and amazing businesses. I love helping shine a spotlight on the people who make our community so special while also sharing all the fun things there are to see and do throughout Cleveland and the surrounding suburbs.

And while Cleveland is my main focus, I also share some of my travel adventures and experiences along the way!

I’m most proud of how much I’ve grown since starting this journey in 2019. When I first started, I never imagined that businesses would actually reach out to me wanting to work together. Even now, when a business reaches out, I still get so excited that they reached out to me.

It’s such a surreal feeling to look back at where I started and see how far I’ve come. I’m incredibly proud of this little passion project and everything it has grown into!

I think what sets me apart is how much I genuinely care about the businesses and owners I work with. I want to support local businesses, share their stories, and help shine a light on what makes them special.

At the same time, I want my followers to know that when I share something, it’s my honest experience and genuine opinion. I’m not here to tear down a small business or hurt someone’s livelihood. If I have an experience that I don’t feel comfortable sharing positively, I simply choose not to post about it.

For me, it’s about being authentic, supportive, and respectful while still being honest with my audience.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Patience. I’ve learned that nothing happens overnight, and building something you’re passionate about takes a lot of hard work, consistency, and time.

Of course, I’d love to have a bigger following and more partnerships, and sometimes it’s easy to compare yourself to others and wonder when your turn will come. But I truly believe my time will come.

Until then, I’m going to keep showing up, keep learning, keep working hard, and most importantly, keep doing what I love. I just have to be patient and trust the process.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://justaclevelandgirl.com
• Instagram: Just a Cleveland girl
• Facebook: Just a Cleveland girl