Meet Mary Ashton Burgh | Creative Director & Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mary Ashton Burgh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary Ashton, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?

Believing in the power of connection. If you want to do something, go meet other people that are doing it. Ask them how they got there. Ask if they have any advice. Ask them if they have a job for you.

When I moved to New York I didn’t work in advertising yet but before long I met people that worked in the industry. I got to learn how they had found their paths and then go make my own.

All of the amazing things that have happened in my life have happened because I created a connection with someone. Sometimes the fire doesn’t spark until years later. But put yourself out there. Meet people. Embarrass yourself. Fall in love.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

A lot of smart people get internships during the summer when they are in college. When I was in college I would choose a place I wanted to live, pack up my car, and get an oddball job to live there. I worked in a surf shop, a bakery, a snack bar, boutiques, and restaurants. I’d start my days running down a beach in South Carolina or hiking a mountain in Colorado. It gave me the confidence that I could always start over and that I could stand on my own two feet all over the country. At the time I just wanted to be a writer, so oddball jobs meant I could write after work. But after a bit I started to want some creativity and drive built into my day-to-day job too. I decided advertising would fit this bill.

NYC was where advertising happened. I had to get to NYC, so I took a job as a sales rep for fashion designers that I met through a boutique job. I started going to ad parties and making ad friends and learned I needed a “portfolio.” I went to night school at SVA to do just that and got recruited out of the class to be a Copywriter. But I had to take a huge pay cut. I worked in a boutique on the weekends and would dress the windows at Ralph Lauren in the middle of the night to make it work. Within a year and a half I almost doubled my salary. Now I’ve traveled around the world and made lifelong friends.

At the beginning of my career in advertising I used to worry about not having a traditional path. I felt I should have done ad internships, I should have gone to ad school, etc. It was only with time I realized how much these varied experiences helped me. I use my sales experience everyday. I use my ability and confidence to pivot everyday. And as a writer, I continue to seek new experiences to have something to bring to the page. My family and I moved to LA in May. Excited for new possibilities and new trees. Hello, Hollywood.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I just moved to Los Angeles in May so I’m still learning my favorite spots. But I’ve got a great strip within walking distance in Echo Park. If you’re gonna stroll down Echo Park Ave, grab a latte and a labneh toast at Canyon Coffee, then sit and linger outside for great people and dog watching. Glowing Plant-Based Eatery has great vegan sandwiches and everything you need for a picnic in Elysian Park. I like to find a shady spot under the trees. There’s always something happening, a birthday party, a photo shoot, a volleyball game, that will keep you entertained while you munch on your plant-based BLT. End the day at Bacetti, where every meal feels languid and luxurious, even with (your own) kids in attendance. Prepare to have your mind blown by the focaccia and to say, “This is so good” about everything you eat.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband, Col Healey, is also a writer. Bouncing ideas off each other is something foundational to our relationship. We’ve also formerly worked together. I produced a series In the Cards, that Col wrote and directed and also produced. Two days before our wedding we had a 14 hour day filming in Times Square. Then when the series premiered at Tribeca, we were both there, even though it was 5 days before I gave birth to our son, Iggy. I’m at my happiest when work and life are infusing one another with energy. Col has always made me believe I don’t have to sacrifice one for the other. You can dream big and live big and work big. And it’s more fun when you get to do it with someone else. 

Website: maryashtonburgh.com

Instagram: @mashtonb

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/mary-ashton-burgh-126a5122