Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in marketing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ashley Monk, CEO of Onya, located in Fishers, IN, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Onya is one of the top-ranked online advertising agencies that helps growth-minded companies market their services, organizations, and events. They offer paid online advertising, social media management, content marketing, and strategy. Onya is located in Indianapolis and serves clients across the United States and 5+ countries. Their clients have been featured in various publications such as Forbes, Huffington Post, and Entrepreneur. Onya takes a holistic approach to create effective strategies - from understanding the client's business and target audience to developing creative marketing objectives and campaigns that achieve results.

Tell us about yourself

I am Ashley Monk, the founder & CEO of Onya, an online advertising agency that helps clients achieve their desired results through strategic and innovative solutions. As a Facebook Verified Marketing Partner and contributing writer for Databox and JotForm, my clients have been featured in prestigious publications such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Huffington Post. I help growth-oriented companies who struggle to scale their services and digital products because of difficulties in executing their marketing strategy. Onya is ranked as one of the top 13 marketing agencies in Indianapolis and serves clients globally.

My journey as a business owner started when one of my ghostwritten articles got picked up by Entrepreneur. My prior experience as a successful marketer, combined with that exposure, motivated me to start my own venture.

Running a business is not easy, but I keep myself motivated by looking at my vision board every day. I am driven by the legacy I want to create for my family and my daughter, for who I want to show that a woman-owned business can be successful and make a lasting impact.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

The greatest accomplishment as a business owner I've achieved is leading a team. I'm privileged to work with great people that do great work and support our clients. I believe when you can create a winning team, you can leave a legacy. It's been great to watch the way our team serves our clients.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

One of the challenges of being a business owner comes with making tough decisions and risks, particularly related to growing the company. As you grow, what got you to one point may not lead you to the next, and that comes with investment changes, personnel changes, and client changes. Knowing when and how to decide how to proceed and then having the courage to see it through takes tenacity.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Have a long-term vision greater than yourself, and your finances, to help you stay on track.
  2. Understand your finances, numbers, and how to make sound investments.
  3. Learn to calculate risk.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.onyamark.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashley.owens.9/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamashleymonk/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamashleymonk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleymonk/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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