23 Questions with Bond Collective - Ashley Espinal from Bond Collective

23 Questions with Bond Collective is a series highlighting the impressive 1,000+ person community spread across the Bond Collective portfolio. The series will feature members from 60 Broad, 55 Broadway, Gowanus and Flatiron locations and Bond Collective employees as well. 23 Questions will explore all different walks of life and show just how unique and vast the Bond Collective network continues to become.

Ashley Espinal is the Community Lead at Bond Collective. Born and raised in Boston, Ashley moved to NYC five years ago, following her graduation with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing. After over fifteen years in the entertainment industry as a professional dancer, she slowly switched gears from the front of the stage to the back, where she learned the ins and outs of event planning, production, and set design. Ashley’s vast experience in a creative industry allows her to understand and provide optimal service with a personal touch across all of Bond Collective’s locations.

Outside of Bond Collective, Ashley is an event planner, fitness enthusiast, dancer, and singer. She currently lives in Astoria and can often be found at Sweet Afton on the weekends enjoying the good food, drinks, and vibes. At Bond Collective, Ashley loves that all of the spaces are culturally different, but come together as one family. Ashley also enjoys working with the dynamic staff across the locations. Warm, relatable, and beautiful inside and out are just a few descriptions to sum up Ashley. As an integral member of the Bond Collective staff, Ashley often floats to all of our locations supporting our staff and 1,000+ member community. We asked her a few questions….

1 – First thing you do in the morning?
I’ll check the news headlines, check my emails and check the weather, usually in that order.

2 – Top 3 songs to listen to when you need to get work done?
Hmm I don’t have specific songs, but lately I love the Spotify playlists “Deep Focus” and “Chilled R&B”.

3 – Favorite coffee shop and go to order?
Ha! I don’t drink coffee. I think ordering it is really funny, so I can’t really say. But I will always have a hot chocolate.

4 – Gmail or Outlook?
Always Gmail.

5 – App you can’t live without?
My calendar and Mint Bills. I track everything I spend, at all times. I rarely change my budget on specific items, regardless of income. I’m big into saving.

6 – First job?
Assistant Dance Teacher for kids ages 3-5.

7 – Favorite lunch spot?
This is tough! Miss Lily’s is a favorite spot in the East Village. I’m not a huge foodie so I don’t think of these things.

8 – Early or late?
Early to the gym. Late for drinks.

9 – How do you unwind after a long day of work?
I really enjoy reading. It slows down my thoughts!

10 – What’s your lucky charm?
Chatting with my mother. She somehow always knows what to say when I’m a bit unsure.

11 – What inspires you?
People that stick up for others regardless of how it will affect them in the immediate or long run.

12 – Social Media account everyone should be following?
@nayyirah.waheed, @georgiestclair

13 – Best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
There are two. “Opportunities are bald, grab them by the hair.” “Never sacrifice your integrity by following the crowd”

14 – How long did it take you to get to work this morning?
Sadly almost an hour. It varies daily.

15 – When’s the last time you celebrate a win?
Does it have to be my win? I don’t know, my friends and family have been achieving great things lately and I’ve taken them as a personal win.

16 -If you could squeeze one more activity into your daily life, what would it be?
More dance classes.

17 – If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
The boldest red you could find.

18 – What is the most interesting thing about you?
I used to be a pop star. I guess I had another life which I always find funny to talk about. You learn a lot about people by being on stage and performing. I’ve always found that interesting. It’s a funny little world.

19 – Last show you binge watched?
Stranger Things!

20 – Biggest Cheerleader?
My fiancé. Kind of cliche, but absolutely true. He’s my bestie for sure.

21 – Call or text?
Text!

22 – Favorite book?
Hmmm, I have several. I love Crime and Punishment because it’s a hard read and I had to work for it. But I also very much love: Fahrenheit 451 and The Alchemist. I’m currently reading Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, which I can tell is already going to be a favorite. I could list 10 more but let’s just leave it at that. I can’t choose just one!

23 – Name 5 people (dead or alive) you would invite to a dinner party.
Michelle Obama, Selena Quintanilla (obviously), Misty Copeland, The Mirabal Sisters (can I do all three as one? look them up!), and Gloria Steinem (There is a recurring theme here…)