Member Spotlight: Ashley Emala
Time for another Member Spotlight! One of our favorite parts of RecRoom is getting to know the brilliant, interesting people who choose to make this community their own—and sharing their stories with you.
This week, meet Ashley Emala! She calls Glen Ridge home, loves good food (Turtle + the Wolf is her go-to), and just got back from a summer of dolce far niente on the Ligurian coast. She joined RecRoom to balance the ease of working from home with the buzz of being around others, and we can’t wait for you to meet her.
Where you live: Glen Ridge, NJ
What you do for work: I'm the owner of Arco Destinations, a boutique travel agency where I help people fall in love with Italy by designing custom travel experiences that go beyond the typical tourist stops to showcase the authentic heart of the country.
What made you say “yes” to RecRoom: I love working from home for the ease and flexibility, but there's a different energy that comes from working in an environment surrounded by others that I've been missing. I'm excited to incorporate time at RecRoom into my schedule each week to have the best of both worlds.
One way you imagine using RecRoom besides just working: No idea, but I'm excited for all the possibilities. I'm also really looking forward to meeting other entrepreneurs in the community.
What you can’t live without during your workday: My to-do list. Our relationship status is definitely 'It's complicated.' This work requires incredible attention to detail from coordinating complex trip logistics to remembering every client preference. I want every detail to be perfect so my clients can focus entirely on enjoying themselves, which means my list never actually gets any shorter. Just when I cross something off, three more things appear!
Local favorite restaurant: Turtle + the Wolf. Always delicious, whether I'm in the mood for tartare and terrine or just some good ole' fried chicken.
The best thing you did this summer: Go to Italy of course! I spent a vacation week on the Ligurian coast with my family. No sightseeing, just pure beach bliss and amazing seafood. The literal definition of "dolce far niente". I also spent a week in the Dolomites with other travel colleagues scouting hotels, cultural and culinary experiences, spas and restaurants for current and future clients. And yes, I know... my work trips don't sound like "work," but experiencing these destinations authentically, i.e., the way I want my clients to experience them, is what makes all the difference in the trips I design.
Best movie you’ve seen lately: I haven't been to the movies in a looooong time, but I did see a musical and a play this summer that I LOVED - The Outsiders and Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes.
