Perhaps this isn’t a surprise to some of you that follow along on Instagram Stories as a few of you have DMed me asking about the recent changes in my daily postings (no more metro shots heading into Virginia!).
But for the rest of you, SURPRISE! I finally took the plunge and quit my cushy corporate job to run my own businesses. To give you a bit of background on my career path up to this point, it started when I decided to attend law school almost ten years ago. After attending law school, I did what any good law student does, I accepted a job at a dream firm, a national law firm with offices in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and the District of Columbia. I worked in the Birmingham, Alabama office for 3.5 years before deciding that law firm life wasn’t for me. The long hours are draining. And when I came to the realization that I never wanted to make partner, I knew it was time to move on.
At the same time that I decided I wanted to get out of practicing law, I also decided (along with Michael) that I wanted to make a move to a bigger city. I started looking for non-law firm jobs in D.C. After a lengthy search, I landed another dream job at Bloomberg, a household name and a place that I was thrilled to be a part of. My job required a legal degree as the role was a legal editor position. I wrote and edited legal articles for publication in and on different print and web products. Shortly after I moved to DC, I started this blog. If you want a good laugh, check out my first “outfit post” here!
When I started this blog (three years ago in July!), I had no idea it would turn into what it is today, and I certainly had no idea that it would be the stepping stone on a path to eventually being able to work for myself. I’ve dreamed of being self-employed for as long as I can remember, but I just never knew how to make it happen. It’s a funny thing, once we get set on a certain path (law school for me), it’s hard to break out of the path that you’re expected to take.
This blog has lead to opportunities that I could have never imagined. From partnering with some of my favorite brands to being able to pursue my love of travel by partnering with hotels and tourism boards, I am forever grateful for every door this blog has opened.
Along with the blog itself came a whole new community that I’ve been fortunate to get to know not only in the DC area but quite literally around the world. Social media is a crazy thing. I’ve been able to make some real, REAL friends through blogging, another thing for which I’m so grateful.
By becoming more involved in the blogging (and creative) community and through my own blog work, I quickly noticed a missing piece in the creative community. There was a need for legal assistance. Contracts are part of almost every blogger/brand deal, including the deal itself, contracts between bloggers and photographers for images, and contracts for bloggers hiring outside assistance for website design, social media management, content creation, you name it! That’s where my Contracts for Creatives business was born.
Contracts for Creatives would have never happened if it wasn’t for this blog first being in existence. I get to use my law degree to help a community of people that I love supporting.
Its a combination of work from Cobalt Chronicles and Contracts for Creatives that has allowed me to finally leave my day job and solely focus on building two businesses that I started from the ground up.
It has been a dream of mine to be able to leave the cushy corporate world to focus on my businesses for some time now. Time became the limiting factor on growing both businesses. I devoted every hour outside of my 9-5 job to both. Waking up early, spending every lunch break working at Starbucks, and many an hour spent after work plugging away. I’m so grateful for the stability that my day job gave me and I’ll certainly miss my wonderful colleagues that I spent so much time with day in and day out. And sure, I’ll miss the benefits and steady paychecks too, but I wouldn’t trade either for the feeling I have each night going to bed knowing that I get to wake up and do what I love the next day and every day thereafter!
If you made it this far, thanks for hanging with me. I want to end this post by saying thank you. Thank you to you, whether you visit this site every day, once a week, once a month, or if this is your first time visiting. Whether you follow along on Instagram or Facebook or Twitter. I appreciate every single one of you from the bottom of my heart! Not a single “like,” DM, Facebook share, Facebook “like,” retweet, email, or comment here on the blog goes unnoticed. It’s because of you and your support that I get to do what I love, and for that, I am forever grateful!
Here’s to week 3 of many to come of working on my own two businesses that I LOVE.
Photos by Mary Elizabeth Creative
Yay, yay, yay, yay! I am just so excited for you lady! This is so well deserved. I cannot wait to see you grow and succeed tremendously. So proud of you and thinking we totally need to plan a trip soon. Would love to see you!
xo Laura Leigh
http://www.louellareese.com
YESSS! I would love that! Thank you for all of your continued support – on both fronts!! It is SO incredibly appreciated!
SO HAPPY FOR YOU EEEEEK!!!!
Thanks friend! I think we spoke it into existence! ha
YAAYY I knew it!! SO happy for you!!!!!
http://www.mollyonthemoveblog.com
hahaha Thanks Molly!!
Ashlee, this is so exciting! Proud to know you and be a part of this little community DC has cultivated. You’re a treasure to the creative industry!
Thanks so much Erin! I don’t know where I’d be (or who I’d hang out with) if it weren’t for folks like you and the amazing DC creative community!
CONGRATS ASHLEE!! I am so excited for you and excited so see where this next chapter takes you!
Thanks so much Katie!! And of course, I’m so thankful for blogging bringing us together!
This. Is. AMAZING!!! What a dream! So happy for you!
Thanks so much Emily! So appreciated!! It’s exciting and terrifying all at once! ha
CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is so exciting!
The Adored Life
Thanks so much Alissa!! And thank YOU for all of your continued support!
Congrats!! I’m so excited for you and can’t wait to see where you take your brand now that you can dedicate all of your time to it!
Thanks so much Charlotte! Miss having you in DC!
Congratulations, Ashlee! What a huge accomplishment! Looking forward to watching you thrive in self-employment 🙂
Thanks so much Abbey! And thank you for your continued support!
YES this is awesome. Proud of you, girl! It’s a hard decision but so freeing. I know you’ll kill it!
Thanks so much Meaghan! DC misses you!
This is so exciting, Ashlee! It’s been so fun to watch your blog grow. Congratulations on the decision to leave the corporate world! I can’t wait to continue to watch your journey.
Thanks so much Amanda! And thank you for all of your support! It really means so much! Hope you are doing well!
Congrats! I will definitely reach out for your help!
Alyssa
http://feathersandstripes.com
Thanks so much Alyssa! And please do! I’d love to help! [email protected]
Congrats!!! You have done a amazing job with your blog and I know you will continue your journey and do amazing in both your endeavors!!! Best wish for a continued success in your jobs and your life!!! Love ya!!!
Thank you so much Aunt Kathy! So appreciated!! =)
Congratulations, Ashlee! It’s so cool that you’ve been able to carve out your own career with your legal expertise, and I can’t wait to see what you do next! Enjoy being your own boss!
x Diana // Pearl Girl
Thanks so much Diana! I really appreciate it! And so happy that we’ve been able to connect through blogging!
Ashlee, I am SO thrilled for you!! Your dedication is inspiring, and your hard work shows! Can’t wait to see what all is in store for you!! Lots of love to you as you embark on this new chapter! – Courtney
Thanks so much Courtney! I so appreciate that and those words of encouragement! So happy that we’ve been able to reconnect through blogging!
Such a great news! Congratulation!
xx
Mademoiselle Coconath
http://mllecoconath.com
Thank you so much!
Congrats, Ashlee! So excited for you and can’t wait to keep following along!
Thank you so much Sarah! So happy we’ve been able to connect through the blogging world! Now we just need a IRL coffee date!
i’m so so so excited for you! what an amazing adventure you’re starting out on! XOXO
Thank you so much Colleen!
Congrats, Ashlee- I so enjoy your blog. Wishing you continued success!
Thank you so much Melissa! I so appreciate it!
Congratulations! So awesome to transfer your experience in this way. I will definitely keep you in mind once I get my brand going!
Thanks so much Danielle! Please do reach out as I’d love to help! [email protected]
I am literally so excited for you!! I love that you get to still use your degree but in such a way you love! It’s so true about being stuck on a path. It’s hard to change when you fill like there is only so many options. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for you in the future.
http://moosmusing.com
Thanks so much Mariah! And definitely agree! But also just knowing that you don’t have to stay on a path just because it’s the norm is always good to keep in mind! So happy to have connected with you through blogging!
I’m so excited for you and all that is to come! Truly the best way to go to work every morning…for yourself!
XO
R
Couldn’t agree more! Thank you!!! You were definitely an inspiration in pushing me to take the leap!
I’m so excited for you and all that is to come! Truly the best way to go to work every morning…for yourself!
XO
We are so proud to know you, Ashlee, and wish you all the success in the WORLD!
Thanks so much Annie Claire and Chelsey! Hope to see you girls soon (football season doesn’t seem that far off!)!
Wow, congrats girl! Living the dream!! Def inspiring me big time 🙂
Thanks so much Elaine! You totally got this!