Introducing: Ashley Olafsen.
& Born to Build.
The other night, my roommates and I were hosting a few friends in our happy Boston-based home.
Around midnight, I started winding down, and after feeling energized by an excellent skincare routine, decided to get a head start on some dishes before I fell asleep. My friend Bernard stood with me in the kitchen as I cleaned up. He kindly reminded me I could clean tomorrow. I refused - I like accomplishing tasks with wonderful company, and I prefer to move when my energy moves me. He laughed and told me I have a “working disposition”.
He’s right. I was born to build.
I rest, but it’s hard for me to sit still - it’s my natural inclination to create, to dream, and to build.
I am passionate about building companies and communities with intention. I have over a decade of experience driving revenue, fostering meaningful relationships, optimizing operations, and closing the gap between strategy and reality. More than anything, I am skilled at expertly curating and facilitating deeply impactful experiences and programs.
I began my career in 2013, when I gave a workshop to a group of 8th grade girls on self-esteem and mental health. My goal was to help the young women in my town feel less alone, and the first workshop went so well that we continued on and eventually built a successful business called MOVE. Over the course of 8 years, my co-founder and I led workshops at school districts all over New England, and also developed and facilitated 6 week-long summer programs. The effectiveness of our programs is something I am immensely proud of.
Around the world, 4% of women believe they’re beautiful. After one week in my program, 96% of girls believed they were beautiful.
You can learn a bit more about my work in the video below :)
When I put my mind to something, I am a force.
Since 2013, I’ve started and stopped so many things. I’ve founded and built 4 different companies, published 2 books, co-led a podcast, led a community group for post-grad women, started an MBA (and soon will likely be stopping). I babysit, I freelance for people I admire with custom sales strategy, and I advise startups just for the fun of it. I’ve also worked a few different full time jobs.
Everything I do can be summed up by my need to build, to try, and to feel the thrill of creating something bigger than me.
So what else? Well….
I am enthusiastic, creative, strategic, entrepreneurial, and hungry to contribute.
I take my friendships seriously and my sleep schedule even more so.
Kindness matters more to me than anything else.
I believe the greatest joy in the world is drinking wine and cooking dinner while watching Real Housewives.
The greatest comfort of my life is snuggling with my boyfriend Jonah, when we’re both sleepy and unrushed. I can’t believe how good life is during those moments.
And of course, I love to write.
Thank you for letting me write for you. I am so grateful you’re here 🤍
