Ashley Simmons has entrepreneurship in her blood. Growing up with parents who were restaurant and café owners, she was no stranger to the hustle and creativity needed to run a business. Even though she often thought about starting something of her own, her love for helping others, especially seniors, led her to pursue a career in nursing.

But Ashley’s entrepreneurial spark never faded. In 2008, while juggling nursing school, she launched Gigi’s Pet Treats as a fun side project. What started as homemade pet treats quickly gained a loyal following at vendor fairs and regional stores, proving that Ashley had a natural gift for business.

Fast forward to early 2023, Ashley decided to take a well-deserved break from the pressures of nursing to spend more time with her daughter and family. This decision turned out to be a pivotal moment in her life. 

Ashley’s parents, ever the entrepreneurs, saw this as the perfect opportunity for her to dive into full-time business ownership. They proposed the idea of opening her own brick-and-mortar storefront in the heart of downtown Pekin and even offered to help her get it started.

Ashley jumped at the opportunity.

By the fall of 2023, Ashley and her parents took the leap and bought a neglected storefront on Court Street in Pekin. The building was packed with leftover items from the previous owner, and it was clear it needed a lot of work.

But where others saw a rundown building, Ashley and her parents saw endless potential. With a clear vision in mind, they rolled up their sleeves and got to work, ready to transform the space into a beautiful boutique.

“Basically, everything is new from the roof to these new beautiful floors,” Ashley shared as she pointed to the new black and crystal chandelier hanging in the center of the sales floor. “I searched and searched for the right lighting to match the feel I was going for and finally found it.”

While researching what type of business to open, Ashley stumbled upon a post on the Small Biz Pekin Facebook page. The post asked the community what types of businesses they would like to see in Pekin. The overwhelming response was for an affordable clothing shop that catered to all genders. 

Inspired by the community’s input, Ashley decided to bring their vision to life. 

On September 28th, Take Two Resale Boutique at 527 Court Street in Pekin, IL hosted their Grand Opening! The store carries upscale pre-owned and boutique clothing and accessories and will be home to a pet boutique featuring her famous Gigi’s Pet Treats.

Even with her business experience and the support of her parents, Ashley understood the importance of laying a strong business foundation for her new endeavor. Commercial realtor and small business champion Baylee Gambetti introduced her to the SmartStart Pekin initiative of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce.

SmartStart Pekin became an invaluable resource for Ashley. The monthly workshops and the SmartStart Dashboard offered a step-by-step business-building process that was crucial for her. 

“Attending the SmartStart workshops and utilizing the dashboard has helped me navigate the in-and-outs of starting a brick-and-mortar business,” Ashley shared. “The connections I’ve made through SmartStart to other local business resources have been instrumental in turning my dream into a reality.”

Ashley Simmons’ journey from nursing to nurturing her business is a testament to the power of the entrepreneurial spirit, community support, and the impact of utilizing local small business resources.

You can learn more about Take Two Resale Boutique through the website www.taketworesaleboutique.com and Facebook.www.facebook.com/taketworesaleboutique