Ashley Small
Atlanta,GA
Summary
People-first retail leader with a proven track record of opening new markets, developing high-performing teams, and elevating store culture across multiple locations. Known for empowering leaders through clarity, coaching, and competency-driven development, with a strong passion for scaling talent and strengthening district-wide performance. Excels in driving operational excellence while creating aligned, connected, and growth-centered teams.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Store Manager
Vuori
Atlanta, Georgia
08.2023 - Current
- Opened two successful brand-new markets for Vuori, launching stores in both Houston, TX and Atlanta, GA, establishing operational excellence from day one.
- Built and developed high-performing teams in two different regions, fostering strong culture, ownership, and accountability across diverse store environments.
- Promoted four internal leaders, including:
1 promotion to their own Store Manager role
3 promotions into expanded leadership positions (ASM, Lead, VM Lead), strengthening district-wide talent pipelines. - Ranked as one of the top retail engagement stores company-wide, consistently driving high associate engagement, strong team culture, and customer-centric performance.
- Won multiple company-wide competitions and initiatives, demonstrating exceptional team motivation, execution, and operational consistency.
- Served as a mentor and support partner for stores across multiple districts, traveling to assist with openings, transitions, leadership development, and operational tune-ups.
- Participated in District Manager QBR, contributing insights on business performance, leadership development, and strategic operational planning.
- Actively contributed to Store Manager Roundtables, influencing company best practices, sharing innovative leadership methods, and shaping retail standards at scale.
- Led onboarding, training, and development programs for large cohorts of new hires, cultivating strong competency alignment and elevating store culture.
- Maintained top-tier operational performance, including labor management, sales execution, visual merchandising standards, and customer service excellence.
- Fostered strong community presence, partnering with local studios, gyms, and organizations to build brand loyalty and drive traffic.
- Implemented high-performance team rituals, including weekly leadership development, coaching models, KPI ownership, and culture-forward communication practices.
Store Manager
Ann Taylor LOFT
Houston, TX
11.2019 - 07.2023
- Lead and direct all activities required to achieve all store goals, including financial objectives, client service, human resources management, operational controls, payroll and operating expenses, loss prevention, and merchandising presentation while driving both associate and client engagement
- Promoted team-oriented culture with common sales, service, and productivity goals
- Revamped systems, processes, and training programs to reverse underperforming store metrics
- Analyzed store reports to evaluate performance, increase sales, and reduce controllable expenses.
- Oversaw inventory management through cycle counts, audits and shrinkage control.
- Strengthened work flow productivity by hiring, managing and developing top talent.
- Showcased and built visually appealing displays and signs to encourage customers to buy specific products.
Visual Merchandising Manager
Target
Houston, TX
11.2017 - 11.2019
- Lead visual remodels and store openings
- Train, manage, and Communicate with all team members and leaders on floor updates, Visual Presentation, creative floor execution, and styling
- Studied customers, market trends, and display effectiveness to continuously improve strategies
- Upheld brand and visual principles and incorporated goals and standards into overall visual merchandising strategy
- Refined approaches continuously to maintain branding, encourage sales, and follow changing demands.
District Visual Manager
Nike, Davaco
Dallas, TX
11.2016 - 11.2017
- The district in elevating, adapting, and implementing Visual guidelines, including but not limited to window presentations and in-store displays; actively participate in necessary travel and physical set-ups/installations
- Participate in the development of Visual Merchandising educational
- Liaise between field organization and corporate office, communicating successes, opportunities, and needs at the field level
- Demonstrates a strong working relationship with internal corporate teams, store management, and other partners
- Prepared weekly store photo packages and continuously improved approaches based on data gathered from previous initiatives
- Oversaw and implemented placements, standards, and guideline directives for visual team.
Visual Assistant Manager
Nordstrom
The Woodlands, TX
04.2015 - 11.2016
- Redesigned , conceptualized , and developed displays for RTW, Mens, Kids, & Home
- Created visual directives and style guides for Mannequin looks
- Creatively mapped and executed floor sets and mannequin placement through the store
- Analyzed consumer feedback and market data to establish in-store merchandising strategies
- Generated reports detailing visual merchandising strategy and updates
- Managed all aspects of merchandising installations, overseeing execution to verify adherence to brand standards.
Visual Merchandising Manager
Forever 21
Atlanta, GA
08.2012 - 11.2015
- Lead by example; train, guide and coach staff on product knowledge, styling, selling & service skills, driving them to create transformational customer experiences & exceed sales targets
- Generate & execute on new ideas for store visual standards, setting the brand apart & ensuring every customer's experience is transformational
- Trained merchandising team to build attractive, eye-catching displays in line with latest trends
- Reviewed floor displays regularly and corrected problems or adjusted looks to maximize customer engagement and sales.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Fashion Merchandising
Stephen F Aston State University
Nacogdoches, TX12.2012
YSL Showroom
Internship
Paris France06.2012
Skills
- People development & talent pipeline growth
- Multi-store mentoring & cross-district support
- Culture leadership & team engagement
- Performance optimization & KPI action planning
- Store openings & operational excellence
- Labor planning, budgeting & cost control
- Visual merchandising & brand presentation
- Project management & change leadership
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Store operations oversight
- Profit & loss awareness
- Team building & leadership coaching
Timeline
Store Manager
Vuori
08.2023 - Current
Store Manager
Ann Taylor LOFT
11.2019 - 07.2023
Visual Merchandising Manager
Target
11.2017 - 11.2019
District Visual Manager
Nike, Davaco
11.2016 - 11.2017
Visual Assistant Manager
Nordstrom
04.2015 - 11.2016
Visual Merchandising Manager
Forever 21
08.2012 - 11.2015
YSL Showroom
Internship
Bachelor of Science - Fashion Merchandising
Stephen F Aston State University