Ashley Dufresne

Founder & CEO

www.ashleyireneboutique.com

2 years

Cape Cod! My husband and I moved here 3 years ago. We fell in love instantly and never want to move!

Ashley Irene Boutique is a size-inclusive women's clothing Boutique. I launched the company just over a year ago online. After years of struggling with finding clothes that fit my plus size (and apple shaped) body, I was over it. I wanted to create a space for women of all body shapes and sizes to shop. I also wanted to go further and create a space where we focus on helping women dress for their body shape. At Ashley Irene Boutique, we understand that shopping is way more than just a size. Your body shape plays a huge role in finding styles that fit, flatter and most importantly make you feel comfortable. So we specialize in personal shopping appointments to help you find the right fit and style for your wardrobe!

As a very new small business owner, I am not sure if I know the answer to that yet. Right now my idea of success is creating a brand that empowers women of all shapes and sizes to feel accepted, loved and beautiful. As I grow, I am sure my idea of success will change, of course always keeping my core values and mission.

I launched my first Brick & Mortar in Mashpee Commons 2 months ago. I would say my transformational moment is when I realized how many women connected with our brand, mission and business. It was the realization that I can make my dream a living.

My biggest challenge is being able to adapt to not knowing how to do everything! The reality is, there is so much I don’t know and the power of asking for help and leveraging those around you who are brilliant and simply know more than you do. Once I realized it’s okay if I don’t know, I was able to grow and learn even more from the incredible people around me who wanted me to succeed and helped me learn!

I have only been in business a year but in that time I have learned the power of connecting with people. When you connect with your customers, you learn so much about what they want and need. That knowledge is power for success but also power to make a positive difference. The best feeling is when a customer leaves my store feeling confident and happy. It doesn’t matter if they spend $500 or $50. It’s the connection that empowers me to continue to grow and what makes them come back to shop more.

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When I first opened my store I had a young group of girls come in shopping. While they were looking around 1 particular girl looked at our wall where there were tons of pictures of REAL people (friends, cousins, sorority sisters, customers) modeling our clothes. She stared at one photo of my cousin and then looked over at me and said “I’ve never seen someone who looks like me modeling before”.

That comment is the core reason of why I started Ashley Irene Boutique and it solidified everything I’ve built and how important and worth it’s been to stay true to my core mission and belief.

Lover of shopping and an even bigger lover of people! I am a extrovert and I get my energy from meeting new people and building relationships. I love to be with my friends, family, husband and all the people who bring joy and purpose to my life.

Our media likes to define beauty by the size of your waist. At Ashley Irene Boutique, beauty is within and our mission will always be to build a brand based on trust, love, acceptance and support.

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