While some know Ashleigh Bowling as @busybee.inthecity on Instagram, we’re lucky enough to know her as Cosmitto’s Content and SEO Specialist. Since October 2018, she’s been a part of the Cosmitto team—first as a part-time copywriter, and then as a full-time employee! In fact, Cosmitto is Ashleigh’s first full-time gig.
Ashleigh grew up an hour south of Pittsburgh, so she’s our go-to for all things Steel City—especially when it comes to finding the best coffee shops. After initially going to the University of Pittsburgh for Pharmacy, she realized she didn’t actually enjoy science classes and wanted to find a major where she could be more creative. Ashleigh ended up studying Marketing and Business Administration, as well as getting a minor in Italian, just for fun. Before settling in at Cosmitto, she interned and freelanced a bunch of places, including CHAARG, Pitt’s Engineering School & Business School, and a local Pittsburgh travel agency, Pack Up + Go. Check out her Q&A to learn more about our office’s “busy bee”!
Q: Why did you want to work at Cosmitto?
A: I loved that even in my interview I felt like I’d have a voice here. About a year later and this couldn’t be truer. Coming straight out of school, I didn’t put much hope into actually liking my first job, but the environment and support here have been amazing! I can also wear jeans to work and work remote. Those were high on my *work wish-list*. How millennial of me.
Q: What’s your favorite aspect of your job as a Content and SEO Specialist?
A: I never expected to go into the SEO part, and I love that I was given time to really grow into my role. There was so much guidance and patience from the team so that I could learn to become our specialist. I also get to do all the things I love — social media, blog posts, etc. — every single day. How cool is that?
Q: What’s your dream job?
A: Owning my own coffee shop — and of course running its social media ; ) Adda Coffeehouse in Shadyside has the best aesthetics, that’s my mood board for my shop.
Q: What’s the best social campaign you’ve seen recently?
A: Recently? Gillette’s The Best Men Can Be Campaign. Big brands breaking the status quo & using their platforms to ignite change? Heck yes.
Not so recently though would be the IHOB // IHOP *scandal*. I hated it so much but boy, the memes that came from that ordeal were good.
Q: What are your favorite Twitter accounts to follow?
A: Chrissy Teigen, Tony Hawk (when he tweets about people not knowing who he is), @drinkwaterho
Q: Where is the coolest place you’ve ever been?
A: Touring the ruins of Pompeii is my initial answer. After thinking about it, I lived in London for 3ish months and that was REALLY cool.
Q: What’s one thing you could eat every day?
A: Pizza or waffles. Ugh, I can’t decide. Maybe waffles? You can make ‘em sweet or savory…yum. I’ll never admit it, but I think we know what my answer would be.
Q: What are some of your favorite movies? Name a few.
A: Halloweentown, Nightmare Before Christmas, The Devil Wears Prada, Shrek. I’m a grown adult, I swear.
Q: What are some of your favorite books?
A: The Harry Potter series — I actually only read through the series for the first time in the past two years! I also love It’s Kind of a Funny Story.
Q: What’s one song you could listen to on endless repeat?
A: Like I Can — Sam Smith. I swear they’re an angel.
Q: Coffee, tea, or other?
A: Coffee, coffee, coffee, coffee. With the exception of matcha—matcha looks weird but tastes good.
Q: What would your patronus take the shape of?
A: TBH, I took this Buzzfeed quiz to find out. I got a horse. Which might be a full-circle thing — at a young age, I was thrown off of a horse and was almost stepped on. I guess it’s karma now for that horse to be my protector.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about Pittsburgh?
A: The pride that comes with living here! You’ll know when someone is from Pittsburgh because they’re so dang proud of it.
Q: Pierogies or Primantis?
A: Pierogies. The real question is who do you root for in the Pierogi race — Chester Cheddar is my pick every time.
Q: What’s the first thing you’d do if you won the lottery?
A: Make an appointment with my therapist because having so many choices of what I could do would give me so much anxiety. Maybe buy a drink first.
Q: What is your biggest fear?
A: Having an injury and not being able to do things I love: exercising, running, traveling.
Q: What are three things still left on your bucket list?
A: Travel in general. So many places on my traveling bucket list I can’t even name. I especially need to head to the West Coast. Run another marathon. Get a Goldendoodle named Noodle.
Q: Who do you hope to be in 5 years?
A: I hope I’m someone who is thirty, flirty, and thriving.
Nikki Staley
