I’ve been reflecting on the past 7 years from both a business and personal perspective over these last few days.

It's really nice to take that time to dig into what's happened to celebrate, process, learn, and go into this next phase of my life with a renewed vision and focus.

My journal got FULL last weekend when I sat for 3 hours to just write and reflect on it all.

Turns out I have a lot to say (shocker - ha!), so I'm turning these reflections into a 3-part series.

I'm kicking it off today with part one, which is all about what worked well for me over the past seven years. Basically, the "good" (I'll get to "the bad" in part two).

I've compiled it into the top 10 milestones in my business.. Here goes...

Wrap Up Part 1: The Top 10 Business Milestones

Milestone #1: I f*cking started.

We forget that saying yes is really where any level of success begins. It is a big deal, the moment we decide to take a risk and say yes to our dreams of a better life, more financial freedom, more creativity freedom and more independence.

It is a huge deal. There are a million reasons to never try, to never go for your dreams. There are hundreds, probably even thousands of people who will tell you, you need to dream smaller not because they are mean or insecure.

You simply have a dream that is meant for only you to see clearly, and the clarity of the vision isn’t there so you keep your heads stuck in the clouds, no, it’s there so you can build actionable moves to make that dream a reality and find people along the way who can help you get there.

I am a huge believer in this.

You cannot and should not tell everyone your dreams because the second you accidentally confide in a small-minded person that probably has just been deeply hurt by life, is the second you allow self-doubt to settle in your mind and heart.

You cannot afford to let self-doubt hold any kind of residency in your heart, mind or spirit.

Milestone #2: I made $14,811.37 within the first six weeks I decided to say yes to myself in 2016.

Sometimes life has an interesting way of leading us down unexpected paths. Back in 2016, I made a daring decision - a resounding 'yes' to myself to pick up a side hustle, social media marketing and creative consulting.

At the time I was a new media buyer at a small ad agency and was comfortable. During great months I was making around $6,000 with my agency salary and agency commission.

When I did over $6,00 I thought “holy sh*t, I’m doubling my salary this is awesome!”

There were only 4 problems:

• I hated the products we advertised - think like the hair creams that promise 10 inches of growth in 30 days and background checks to see if your partner is cheating on you. That kind of shit. Hated it and it was so not in line with my values.

• The job was very demanding outside of work hours. You get addicted to constantly checking performance because of the commission incentive. If your campaigns do well, you get paid more. But your work ad accounts are constantly being banned because you’re promoting shady sh*t.

• I realized I was making this company a vast majority of its earnings on social media through my ads, creative, copy and landing page designs and I was only making maybe 2% of what they actually brought in because of me and it was working because I was developing authentic marketing and creative strategies to connect with people honestly.

• My sister needed a place to stay so she could be closer to campus. I lived in a studio in Little Italy, San Diego. There wasn’t enough space for both of us. I needed to try to get a bigger place but couldn’t afford it with my current earnings.

So I got on Craigslist and looked for contractor social media marketing jobs. It’s what I knew and figured I could find some side work. I did with Sand Cloud Towels - They paid me $2,500 to run their campaigns, with promise to increase my pay with results.

I brought them almost instant results and 2 weeks later I felt like okay okay, I can do more work. My agency job is pretty much on auto-pilot and I know at this rate I’m quitting soon as I hated it.

Two weeks later I hopped on IG and looked for hair hashtags since I knew how to market that space well and would be happy in the role if I could work with a brand that wasn’t full of sh*t. I found one and offered them a 30% Facebook profit-share deal.

Any time I produced a sale for them they would pay me 30% of the advertising profit. They agreed. In the first six weeks, I raked in a cool $12,311.37 from this deal.

This was my first invoice ever and the fact that this was the amount, it still feels surreal when I think back on it.

Plus, my monthly $2,500 from Sand Cloud and my salary (which I didn’t count in the figure above).

The next month I made $27,311.37 just from Kerotin, plus my Sand Cloud $2,500 fee and my media buying salary which was around $4,000.

I had never seen that kind of money in my life.

I also had never hustled that hard in my life either to learn, to test and to grow.

I was determined to work however hard it was necessary to experience financial freedom. One month later, I quit my full-time job and I haven’t looked back since.

I learned that it's never too late or too early to try something new that serves you and the kind of life you want to live.

Self-belief and dedication to the process and pursuit will take you places you never thought possible and on the outside it will look “overnight” to everyone else. What you learn today, can help make you a millionaire tomorrow. Believe that.

When I said 'yes' to myself, it wasn't just about the money; it was about unlocking the potential within me and challenging my own limiting beliefs. Now, looking back, I'm just stoked about the growth I've experienced since. And, man, has it been a ride!

Milestone #3: I have served over 60,000+ influencers and viral creators and artists since 2018.

Since 2018, I've had the absolute thrill of working with so many mega influencers and viral creators, each with their own unique style, brand, and audience. It's a vibrant, fast-paced, and constantly changing world and being a part of it feels electrifying!

I landed contracts with some of the world’s top creators including:

• MrBeast

• Dude Perfect

• Pokimane

• Jake Paul

• Mike Tyson

• Markiplier

• Jacksepticeye

• Becca Kurfin

• Every major influencer signed to Fanjoy

• And so many more.

As an influencer marketer, I've helped these gifted individuals navigate through the complex digital landscape, strategizing their personal brand, maximizing their reach, and amplifying their influence and revenue.

Every successful campaign, every leap in their follower count, feels like a personal victory. What a ride it's been, and to think I've played a small part in their online success is humbling.

My background has always been creators, influencers, entrepreneurs, I never thought in a million years some of the top musical talent in the world would ever work with me! I remember the first artist I landed was Kesha in 2020.

I could not believe I was actually negotiating with Live Nation and her management team to handle the marketing push of her latest merch drop on social media.

I lived in Venice, CA at the time and I remember when I got the email they signed. I ran all through my house “Whooot whooting” hahaha cuz that’s as big of a celebration as one could have during Covid.

We kept reaching out to labels, managers and artists.

A few months later, I really really could not believe when Post Malone’s manager, responded to my email, and said this:

Shortly after he signed with me, he then had me FaceTime Post Malone and Tyga about their personal brands and how we could maximize exposure.

I have landed contracts with some of the world’s top artists including:

• Post Malone

• Ke$ha

• Steve Aoki

• Shawn Mendes (and technically Justin Bieber too since I was promoting “Monster” haha but we won’t count that one yet

• Pharrell

• Seven Lions

• Lauv

• Busta Rhymes

• T-Pain

• Aalyiah

• Young Dolph

• 6ix9ine (and technically Nicki Minaj too since I was promoting TROLLZ, but yet again we shall not count it haha

• And more!

I've also been blessed to be the go-to person for thousands of micro influencers and creators, and what a ride it's been! When COVID-19 came knocking, instead of folding, my business took off and my creativity was on fire.

My inbox was a non-stop party of messages from small influencers wanting tips and tricks to boost their brands and land paid partnerships.

I'd been working with micro influencers from the brand side and helping out my buddies in the creator industry for a while. But for the first time ever, I had both the time and the right tools to step up for my people - the dreamers, the go-getters, the hustlers. This wasn't a one-and-done deal.

I hunkered down for months, cooking up top-notch programs, insightful books, and goldmine opportunities that would help these micro influencers level up. In doing all this, I got to work with more than 60,000 creators!

And then there's my email community - the heart and soul of this wild ride. It's grown and morphed into something amazing over time.

I've shot off personal emails to THOUSANDS of you, brainstorming ways to pump up your income, grow your follower count, and supercharge engagement.

The feedback and success stories from those who've joined my programs have been mind-blowing. They've played a huge part in shaping how I do things now.

I've had the pleasure of reading your success stories and seeing how you've grown:

“After implementing what I’ve been learning, my second reel video views went from 150 to 4,000! Thank you!!”

“I have been so happy with the 2 PAID partnerships I earned since connecting with you!”

“First brand deal and I’m already earning 2.5x more than what they initially wanted to pay me!!”

“I was able to grow my TikTok to over 140K!”

“It’s been a few weeks, I’ve already doubled my TikTok followers just by listening to you?! Haha omg thank you for sharing your methods to reach brands and create partnerships in line with my core values.”

“I went from 67 followers to 3,000 on TikTok, my original goal was 1,000”

“You’ve helped me connect with brands and get collaborations I wouldn’t imagine getting, thank you.”

“Thanks for the advice you’ve given me though. Helped me land some brand partnerships already! Thanks a ton. Much love to you and your agency”

“I must say I also owe you all my new influencer collaborations! You are just amazing at what you do! I signed up for your newsletter and here I am on my 3rd campaign!”

“You are the real deal, truly there’s not a better course out there for being an influencer than the information you consistently provide.”

“I almost walked on the deal, but they gave me an extra $10,000 for a 3 month-term because I ended the negotiation focused on my value!”

“Girl…I landed a free month stay in Palm Springs because of you!”

The multitude of messages, emails, and texts of gratitude and success I've received have made every minute of my journey worthwhile. They've also provided invaluable insights into your ongoing needs, challenges, and aspirations.

This wealth of data has sharpened my empathy and enhanced my ability to lead in the influencer marketing space. Understanding why some influencers achieve success while others struggle, and figuring out how to tip the scales in your favor, is my ongoing mission.

The findings I've recently unearthed are compelling, and I can't wait to share deeper into these topics with you later this week.

Each email, dm, share, like, sale, and new member in my community holds immense value to me. I sincerely appreciate all of your contributions. Thank you for being a part of this exhilarating journey.

Milestone #4: I wrote my first book and it became an Amazon bestseller in less than 72 hours of release.

I'll never forget the feeling of publishing my very first book and watching in amazement as it soared to Amazon bestseller status within 72 hours of its release.

In my book, "The Micro Influencer's Brand Partnership Bible," I have strived to provide a comprehensive guide that helps you grow your personal brand and navigate the influencer path from start to finish.

The leap to true entrepreneurship is daunting, but the potential returns make it a gamble worth taking, given there's a calculated strategy at play. This book is all about the path to becoming a successful influencer. It’s less about elusive luck and more about a reproducible formula.

It’s funny - because I never sought out to write a book for influencers, I was actually looking for a book to recommend to micro-influencers who couldn’t afford my agency and there wasn’t a good one out there.

Life is weird like that sometimes.

Also seeing your book at the airport……is a CRAZY feeling.

Milestone #5: I’ve sent 2 million emails to my list (that’s you!) since 2019.

Writing emails to my community is still my absolute favorite way to connect and share content. It is without a doubt my favorite channel. I love reading the replies that come in from this amazing community.

I have personally emailed and chatted with TENS OF THOUSANDS of you.

It gives me so much pleasure to write great emails, to see the response, to hear what’s going on in your creator journey and to help where I can.

It’s confirmed: Me and email are ride or die.

Milestone #6: My business kept working without me while I traveled abroad

Traveling is a huge love of mine and I’ve spent much of my adult life with a home base in San Diego, LA or NYC.

I have always enjoyed the laptop lifestyle, you can catch me and laptop on a tropical or European getaway at least twice a year. I really try to go somewhere to recharge quarterly.

But much like the rest of the world, all my travel freedom ended in the heat of Covid and I finally got back to traveling in 2022!

I did a lot of travel within the US and also made my way to Italy again which was amazing! I went to Lake Como with my best friend and it was magical.

The views were breathtaking.

The routine of pasta, Aperol spritz, gelato, repeat. Incredible.

These trips were a business highlight for me because they were such a good example of what I have worked really hard to build: a business that can run and operate without me from time to time.

I had great revenue weeks, even while I was traveling, and my business continued to go. That feels like winning the damn lottery!

I have even more exciting travel and adventures lined up for the end of 2023 - 2024. Just wait till I spill the beans on those ;)

Milestone #7: I was on New York City Times Square Billboards

This is actually a bucket list moment for me and I count it as a business milestone because I always wanted to see my face up there promoting a project I was a part of.

And I did! I was paid well for my time on Swiping America.

I spent 10 weeks on the road trying to find love and trusting producers to tell a beautiful story about my life that painted me in a kind and honest light that would never hurt my business, and only help me connect deeper with my community and I feel they really did that.

It was a 2.5 year journey, everyone worked so hard on it, and now it’s here… I'm so grateful.

Milestone #8: I’ve made my clients over $160M and broke their internal records.

It's a humbling experience, this journey I've been on, one that has seen me generate over $160M in revenue for my clients. I've helped shatter their internal records, setting new highs and redefining success in their eyes.

These staggering numbers are the result of strategically promoting their personal brands, meticulously marketed products, expertly organized events, and well-chosen brand partnerships.

Each dollar is a testament to the painstaking attention to detail, the carefully honed skillset, and the deep understanding of the creator market that I bring to the table.

This isn't just about making money; it's about empowering my clients, propelling them forward and enabling them to reach previously unimaginable heights. It's a calling, and I am profoundly grateful to be part of this journey.

Milestone #9: I created my first podcast, Burnt Creator.

I still remember the exhilarating rush of hitting "publish" on the first episode of Burnt Creator. The idea was born out of my personal experiences and observations, noticing how prevalent burnout was in the creative community.

I knew the struggle intimately - the relentless chase for perfection, the strain of meeting goals, and the constant juggling of ideas that could sometimes feel overwhelming.

I envisioned Burnt Creator as a sanctuary, a welcoming space where creatives could come to decompress and gain practical strategies for staving off the fatigue that often accompanied their work.

But it wasn't just about managing burnout; it was also about nurturing a holistic approach to creativity.

Here we explore topics like mindfulness, financial stability, and effective time management, all crucial for a balanced, fulfilling creative life.

It was daunting, and yet, undeniably exciting, experience getting my podcast off of the ground.

Milestone #10: I changed.

And lastly, milestone number 10. Honestly I feel a little weird sharing this, but I changed and I like the new me.

Somewhere along the line, I realized I had to prioritize what I loved.

I decided to dedicate myself to supporting creators' mental and financial health, helping them foster peace, clarity, and wealth because that’s too what I needed, peace and support.

I want to provide a way for creators to elevate their brand value, not by investing in expensive and time-consuming courses, but by listening to how creators actually learn in today’s digital era, breaking down repeatable growth strategies by the molecule and inserting them into today’s trends.

Life isn't perfect, but it guides us to our path. Our purpose isn't always clear, but it's always present. It's about embracing failures as valuable lessons and staying resilient.

Sometimes, it's about stepping back and reevaluating, like when I closed my company and distanced myself from social media. I found myself asking, "Why am I trying to be like everyone else?"

I realized that while I could run campaigns and help creators market themselves, what brought me joy was genuinely helping creators thrive.

So I started to break down outside of brand and influencer marketing consulting which I still do, how can I help creators thrive?

I work on projects, newsletters and podcasts everyday that feed that mission.

Being a creator isn't for everyone. You need to discover your calling without going into unrealistic debt. And if creation is your path, it shouldn't require massive financial commitments. I've experienced firsthand how challenging it is for creators to recoup their investments.

That's why I'm determined to share my knowledge and experience, making today’s high-ticket learning accessible and affordable.

I prioritize creators' time, attention, and dedication over their financial capabilities.

The shift towards purpose may not be easy; it requires time, discipline, and determination. But trust me, as I have walked this path myself, it's a journey worth taking. And remember, your purpose and dreams persist because they're meant to be realized.

I found my sprint and flow in my business. My sprint is my all out speed getting a project off the ground or to the next level.

A sprint is like 10-12 hour days for weeks, sometimes months, but never longer than 3 months. I’ve learned that is my max.

And then I fall into my flow which lasts for months and sometimes up to a year.

My flow is where I don’t work longer than 5 hours a day, I am in maintenance and growth with predictability mode.

This is typically where I live.

The past 2 months I have been in a sprint and I’m about to enter my flow again in August.

I've certainly had bumps along the road, failures, and flops.

Nothing has felt like an overnight success.

It's really important to take a moment to feel that gratitude and celebrate yourself.

If you haven't done a deep creator reflection yet, I'm going to encourage you to open up a journal, a phone note, or Google Docs and dive in.

In Part Two of this series, I'm going to talk about what didn’t go so well in 2016- 2022.

The failures… or “lessons learned" ;)

Watch your inbox for that juicy one tomorrow.

Much Love,

Ash Warren

Creator + Social Media Marketing Strategist

Website | Instagram | Threads | Podcast

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