Five Firsts With Ashley Nettleton, Editor of The Scout Guide Edmond, Oklahoma

Photography by Brett Heidebrecht.

We’re always hoping to make a good first impression, and that first-time readers of The Scout Guide will put the publication down feeling inspired to learn more about the featured businesses—and, if they’re out-of-towners, to seek out (or start) a guide in their own hometown. In this series, we talk to our editors about their TSG “firsts,” from their first encounter with The Scout Guide to the first business they scouted and more. Read on to learn about how The Scout Guide Edmond editor Ashley Nettleton discovered the brand, and what it was like to launch her first volume.

When did you first discover The Scout Guide? 

In 2017 I discovered the Oklahoma City guide in a local boutique where I shop quite often. It was love at first sight for me! I fell in love with the look of the guide, but once I started doing research about the guide, I fell in love with the idea behind it—supporting local businesses. 

What made you decide to become an editor? 

After discovering the Oklahoma City guide, I inquired to see if there was an Edmond guide. Since there wasn’t, I knew I had to bring it to my city. Edmond is such a family-friendly city that has experienced rapid growth in the past few years, and I knew it would be a perfect fit for the area.

Tell us about the first business you approached to be in the guide. 

Emory Anne Interiors was one of the first businesses I approached. I was fortunate enough to have Anne, the owner, experience the guide in other cities, and she knew and understood how special The Scout Guide was.

 “I fell in love with the idea behind The Scout Guide—supporting local businesses.”

What was it like to launch your first volume? 

I honestly don’t remember a whole lot about my first launch! It is such a blur. Most of Edmond hadn’t heard about the guide and didn’t know what it was all about. So when I launched, I was feeling excited and scared. But it was well received and I was relieved that all the hard work that I had put in over the last nine months had come to fruition. 

What’s the first thing you would tell a prospective editor? 

Whether you are starting a guide from the ground up (like I did) or taking over the existing role from a pre-existing editor, know that it takes a lot of hard work! I would recommend getting involved in your city in other ways to show that not only do you care about the local businesses, but as a community as a whole.

To learn more about Ashley and The Scout Guide in her area, follow The Scout Guide Edmond on Instagram. Learn more about starting The Scout Guide in your city here.