Very Ashley

Boutique for the Beauty and the Boss

Where: Richmond, VA

Industry: Fashion/Retail

Ashley Jefferson, owner of Richmond boutique Very Ashley, has an impressive knack for combining her favorite things—writing, fashion, and entrepreneurship. Whether publishing VA Style Mag or helping women find the perfect outfit at her boutique, Jefferson is passionate about making women feel beautiful and confident.

Opportunity for Impact

Before launching Very Ashley, Jefferson cut her teeth in the fashion industry for 22 years ago as a model and fashion journalist. During that period, Jefferson balanced her full-time job as a high school teacher with fashion work on the side. In 2015, she was ready to invest in fashion full-time. Jefferson’s determination and keen eye for customer interests allowed her to stay nimble while building community relationships. In 2019, she opened the first Very Ashley location at Stony Point Fashion Park.

Jefferson’s entrepreneurial journey showcases her ability to grow the best parts of her business while finding inventive ways to diversify her offerings. Even when faced with the closure of her brick-and-mortar shop in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jefferson stayed afloat by creatively engaging customers through Very Ashley Experiences and offering online shopping.

Our Partnership

In 2023, Jefferson was looking to relocate to Short Pump Town Center. She knew that the relocation would bring in new customers from the increased foot traffic and allow her to expand the variety of merchandise. However, moving locations requires significant upfront capital, plus covering profit loss during the business move. Jefferson turned to her networks to find a solution, and The Metropolitan Business League (MBL) referred Ashley to Bridging Virginia as a potential capital partner.

Beyond Capital 

“I needed a team and I needed financial backing...and Bridging Virginia was there to help me.”

With a small loan from Bridging Virginia, Jefferson had the cash flow she needed to move stores and furnish her new, larger space. In May 2024, Very Ashley relocated once again to downtown Richmond. This move was strategic, as it positioned the boutique closer to her core customers—professional women working in downtown Richmond. Part of the loan was used to conduct market research, which guided this decision.

"Being downtown is the perfect place for Very Ashley. It brings me in the heart of where my customers spend a large portion of their day. So, it’s easy for them to shop with me during the day and attend a Very Ashley Experience event in the evening. I’m also surrounded by other Richmond publications like the Richmond Times Dispatch and the Richmond Free Press, which makes it a great location for VA Style Magazine as well. I wouldn't have been able to make the decision to move without the help of Bridging Virginia."

Now, from the moment you enter the store, Very Ashley exudes femininity, excellence, and style. This top-to-bottom professional look feeds directly into their returns, with Jefferson pointing out that people are more likely to shop if they feel like they are in a nice space.

Jefferson continues to navigate Very Ashley through a changing consumer marketplace and look for new ways to uplift women who are “The Beauty and the Boss” in their lives.