Ashley Duval – NOCO’s 30 Under 30 2024

By: Staff

29 years old • Windsor

Account executive and marketing specialist at NOCO Style

What’s your occupation? Explain your career, accomplishments and professional highlights.

I have been a sales representative at NOCO Style for seven years. When I first started, the annual Readers’ Choice Best of NOCO contest received a couple hundred votes. I updated the software and came up with a marketing campaign and business plan. Last year, we received more than 267,000 votes. I love how it has grown. I also created our weekly events newsletter and monthly happy hours. We now share Northern Colorado news and happenings with more than 70,000 subscribers, and our happy hours gather 50-150 attendees. My team would call me a utility player; I have worked in almost every aspect of the business.

 

 

Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.

I’m a Colorado native. I attended the University of Northern Colorado and graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver, where I studied marketing and sales and laid the foundation for my career. My mom is my inspiration and role model; she worked in publishing before I was born and started her own magazine in 2001. She bought Lydia’s Style in 2017, and we have been a great team ever since. I am deeply committed to my community, and I attend several events and fundraisers per week put on by businesses and nonprofits. I am also a wife and mom to two boys and a pup.

 

 

Tell us something unique about you.

I am a big people person. I love to host and attend parties, spend time with family and friends and meet new people. I love to travel and have been to several countries, including Spain, where I studied abroad. Those experiences have broadened my understanding of different cultures and perspectives, which has enabled me to connect with a wide range of people.

 

 

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment or challenge you’ve overcome, either professionally or personally?

My biggest accomplishment professionally has been growing the Best of NOCO campaign. Personally, it has been my kids. I have been able to successfully manage my time as a working mom.

 

 

Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10 years?

I hope to continue helping local businesses grow while growing NOCO Style. I love my job and hope to be here forever. I also love living in Windsor and see myself raising my kids here. Speaking of kids, I want one or two more.

 

 

What piece(s) of advice would you give to your younger self?

Everything happens for a reason, so trust the process. Continue to listen and be a positive, nice person. You cannot control everything, and life will be a lot less stressful if you learn to go with the flow.

 

What do you love most about the NOCO community?

I absolutely love the sense of community and support in Northern Colorado. The people here are incredibly welcoming and always willing to support each other. It’s so exciting to see the growth in this region, with so many new people and businesses making a difference in the community. Plus, it’s beautiful, and there is always so much to do.

 

 

What are your hopes for the future of NOCO Style?

My hopes are that it continues to flourish as a vibrant, community-focused publication that highlights the best of what Northern Colorado has to offer. I hope it continues to serve as a platform for local voices, showcasing the incredible talent, businesses and events that make our region unique. I also hope for continued growth in our distribution, more voters in our Best of NOCO campaign and an overall increase in our reach.

 

How do you achieve work-life balance as a working mom?

Having a strong support system is crucial. My husband works from home, and we have found excellent care for our children for a few hours each day. I use that time to focus on growing the business so I can spend the afternoons and evenings with my family. I attend several after-hours events each week, which are great for meeting new people and getting out of the house. I sometimes bring my children to these events so they can get in on the fun, though my husband and I often use them as date nights. I also prioritize self-care with beauty appointments and scheduling friend dates every month. Time management and organization are essential, but so is being flexible.