Today we’d like to introduce you to Lee Ashby Watts.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have always been fascinated by the stories people share. Even as a child I used to play “magazine” and write my own stories and put them together.
I have been blessed to take my love for storytelling and merge it with my career in marketing and branding. Although I earned my degree in Political Science and then later an MBA, I imagined quite a different career and journey. However, after following through on opportunities that seemed random and out of place at the time, I now see them as completely divine. I landed in my dream career and I have the privilege of touching beautiful stories everyday.
As a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for a global corporate law firm and founder of my branding and marketing firm, I help professionals and brand owners share their brand story and execute their marketing in order to grow their businesses and audiences.
Has it been a smooth road?
As with most of us, I have endured some hard seasons in life. However, I truly have seen each challenge as an opportunity. I have experienced an amazing career and business journey. I attribute this to being certain of what I love to do and doing it with reckless abandon.
Although I can be particular about certain things, I gave up the need for perfection. This has helped avoid many struggles and unnecessary anxiety. I have grown comfortable with trying things before I am completely ready and testing ideas and concepts before its perfect. This has helped me develop a business confidence and clarity.
Yes, clarity is a big contributor to this confidence and courage. I have discovered a certainty and acceptance on who I am and my goal is just to be more of me. When you are sure of who you are, who you serve and why – the journey becomes fun.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Ashby & Watts Consulting story. Tell us more about the business.
I started Ashby & Watts Consulting almost four years ago. The mission of my company is to develop brand clarity and strategy for small businesses in order to execute strategic and holistic marketing.
What sets me apart from other branding and marketing coaches is that I have a strong focus on finding clarity first and then focusing on strategy. Often marketing and branding professionals will focus on just the visual aspects of the company or social media or a website or they will simply execute on whatever the client is telling them about the business.
My job is to challenge my clients to think more deeply and holistically about their brand, their audience and their messaging and to make sure it is consistently communicated across all mediums. Alignment and clarity is essential for true branding and business growth. I will always come back to these two aspects.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Marketing and branding touches every industry. I see more businesses and individuals acknowledging that marketing and branding is critical to their business. In the past, it has been seen as something to do when you have time or only necessary if you have a product.
However, there is too much “noise” out there. Businesses and influencers are trying to find creative and strategic ways to stand out and speak to their audiences. This is marketing. There will be more of a focus on this in every industry.
In the marketing industry, there will continue to be a bigger focus on digital marketing.
Contact Info:
- Website: ashbyandwatts.com
- Email: lee@ashbyandwatts.com
- Instagram: lee_ashbyandwatts
- Facebook: ashbywattsconsulting
- Twitter: lywatts
Image Credit:
Krystal Harris – PhotoJourneys
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