Today, we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Hajimirsadeghi.
Hi Ashley, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in Baltimore County, Maryland, and moved away for university to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. I thought I would go into fashion and stay in the city, but then COVID-19 hit, and I found myself in my childhood bedroom. That’s when I began starting my blog, freelancing, and putting my work and art out there. I also relearned to love Baltimore, which I took for granted during my childhood. It’s my home and heart!
Several years later, I’ve grown all of this into a business. I’ve extensively published as a poet and writer, but I’ve found my calling in doing digital marketing and SEO services for arts nonprofits, as well as continuing to blog to an audience of over 100,000 monthly around the world. I also have worked as a film and television critic for several years at MovieWeb.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
In the beginning, it can be difficult and lonely, especially when you don’t have connections or a degree in these industries.
It took a lot of rejection, reflection, and fine-tuning to get where I am today, and it doesn’t always pay well in the beginning, which adds even more stress. Sometimes you need to fail in order to soar higher, and I definitely experienced that throughout this process.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a writer! I’ve published the most and specialized in poetry, having put out three chapbooks and books in that genre, but I’ve also published several nonfiction and fiction pieces in some good literary magazines.
I’ll be pursuing a creative writing Fulbright in India to document climate change and migration through poetry, which has been a recent win. Still, I’d say what sets me apart is how I try to document relevant issues to society, especially through a female perspective.
I also am big on cine poems and blurring photography with poetry. I’ve never openly showcased my photography work, but I enjoy finding beauty and poetry in the most mundane things.
Outside of creative writing, I’ve been a journalist for three years, and a blogger for just as long. I find film criticism fascinating, especially when you contextualize movies to the current moment and sociopolitical movements.
Some of my favorite parts of the job have been interviewing people. From Ryusuke Hamaguchi to Whoopi Goldberg, many inspiring kernels of wisdom have come out when interviewing fellow creatives and artists.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I’d say that I have been really lucky. I was lucky to have somewhere to go during the pandemic and not have to entirely focus on bills, and I was given several opportunities to cultivate my business and grow.
I’ve also been lucky in making the right connections and being at the right place at the right time, which helps. Networking sometimes really is everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nassarine/
