Ashley Teske is a property management professional based in Sudbury, Ontario. She began her career 13 years ago after completing her education in the Greater Toronto Area. She earned a Property Management Certificate from George Brown College in 2011, followed by a Certificate in Real Estate Development and Management from Conestoga College in 2013.
Since moving to Sudbury, Ashley has gained practical experience managing residential and mixed-use properties. Her primary responsibilities include helping owners and tenants with daily operations and maintenance coordination. She prioritizes reliability, communication, and a people-first mentality in her work.
Beyond her professional life, Ashley is passionate about local history and storytelling. She writes about Sudbury and nearby communities, such as Levack and Onaping Falls, on her personal blog. Her blogs bring small local tales, forgotten places, and historical details to life for readers. This helps her feel connected to her community while sharing the stories that are typically ignored in mainstream media.
In her leisure time, Ashley enjoys gardening, hiking, travelling, and fitness. She considers these activities essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Her combined interests in property management and storytelling reflect her ability to balance structure, organization, and creativity in both professional and personal pursuits.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I start my days with an early morning workout and a healthy breakfast before commuting to work. This starts my day off on a positive note. Then I check emails and messages from tenants and property owners. I prioritize urgent issues first, like maintenance requests or tenant concerns, and then plan my on-site visits for inspections or repairs. I dedicate afternoons to writing and research, ensuring that creative projects aren’t neglected. I make a detailed to-do list every morning and update it throughout the day to help me stay focused and productive.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I let the idea sit with me for a while, thinking about it during walks or doing daily tasks. The first draft is messy, but I focus on getting something down rather than perfecting it. I talk through ideas with friends or colleagues, because their questions and views often reveal things I hadn’t considered. From there, I refine and shape it, testing small bits in real life before fully committing, so the final result feels practical, meaningful, and ready to share.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m excited about the growing interest in local history and community storytelling. People are getting curious about the stories behind the places they live, which encourages more engagement and exploration. This trend also opens opportunities for creative projects, like guided history walks or community newsletters. It’s rewarding to see small, overlooked stories get recognition and connect people in meaningful ways.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Keeping a daily to-do list has been the best habit for my productivity. Writing down tasks helps me prioritize and track progress throughout the day. I regularly review the list and adjust it as needed, which reduces stress and ensures nothing gets overlooked. This habit has made managing professional responsibilities and creative projects a lot easier.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Trust your instincts and interests, even if they seem niche or unconventional. Skills like writing, research, and community engagement take time to develop but pay off in surprising ways. I’d also encourage patience and consistency. Success doesn’t happen immediately, but small, consistent efforts create meaningful results. Finally, I’d also say it’s okay to take detours, because every experience leads to growth.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Deep dives into local history and local small-scale storytelling are equally valuable as covering big news and high-profile topics. A lot of people think these projects are too niche or won’t get attention, but I think they can have a huge impact on communities. They create connections and foster appreciation for places and people that might otherwise be forgotten. Sharing these stories can be as impactful as more visible, mainstream projects.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I try to go outside every day, even for a short walk or 30 minutes in the garden. Fresh air and movement give me a mental reset, spark creativity, and help me stay focused on tasks. I feel a lot less stressed and more productive than when I do hours of uninterrupted work. I recommend it to anyone balancing multiple responsibilities; there are many benefits.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I get away from my desk and find a quiet spot to sit and breathe. I put my phone away and focus on breathing intentionally. Sometimes I’ll even meditate for a few minutes. Doing this helps me gain perspective and feel less stuck. After a break, I return to my tasks with greater focus. I also rely on my to-do list to prioritize what really needs attention, which helps me regain control.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Keeping consistent communication with tenants and property owners has been essential to my career growth. Being reliable and responsive earns trust, which in turn leads to referrals and long-term relationships. I also document interactions and proactively follow up to show my professionalism and commitment to clients. This has helped me build a solid reputation and has opened opportunities for greater responsibility.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Years ago, I mishandled a tenant complaint that needed immediate attention. The delay caused frustration and reminded me how important quick, clear communication is in this field. I took responsibility, improved my follow-up processes, and implemented a tracking system for all requests. The big lesson was that organization and transparency are crucial in building trust and avoiding preventable issues.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A local history newsletter that combines storytelling with interactive elements, like walking maps or picture challenges. Readers could explore neighbourhoods while learning about their history, creating both educational content and community engagement. This idea encourages people to connect with their environment in a tangible way. It’s a low-cost initiative with potential for both local impact and online reach.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
A property management CRM like DoorLoop is essential for tracking work orders, tenant requests, and communication history. I use it every day to make sure nothing falls through the cracks and to keep my records organized. It lets me schedule follow-ups, track progress, and keep both tenants and owners up to date. Without it, managing multiple properties would be chaotic and time-consuming.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?/
I bought a $100 high-quality planner for writing ideas, notes, and research while away from my computer. It’s been invaluable for capturing thoughts quickly, organizing projects, and planning creative work. Writing things down on paper helps me process ideas more clearly than digital tools. It’s a simple investment that makes me more productive and creative every day.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
For podcasts, I really like The Joe Gardener Show. He gives practical gardening advice while also delving into soil health, sustainability, and long-term planning. I like how detailed and realistic the episodes are, especially when it comes to common mistakes and how to fix them. Listening to it has made me more intentional in my own garden and more patient overall.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I watched The Biggest Little Farm recently and really connected with it. The film follows a couple as they build a sustainable farm from the beginning. It highlights the patience and resilience required to work with nature rather than against it. I like how honest it was about setbacks, especially when unexpected things happened. It reminded me that growth, whether in a garden, a community, or a career, takes time, care, and a willingness to adapt.
Key learnings
- Effective communication and consistent follow-up build trust and professional growth.
- Small daily habits, like to-do lists and outdoor breaks, improve productivity and creativity.
- Local history and community storytelling engage audiences and foster meaningful connections.
- Organization and accountability are key to managing responsibilities and avoiding preventable issues.
- Creative projects benefit from breaking ideas into manageable steps and allowing space for iteration.