Ribbon Cutting to Celebrate Launch of Ashley by Design
Ashley DeRamus Launches Ashley by Design at Shops of Grand River
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 14, 2020 | Leeds, Al-Ashley DeRamus and her mother, Connie, celebrated the launch of Ashley by Design boutique at the Shops of Grand River in Leeds with a grand opening and a ribbon cutting on Friday. Leeds Mayor Pro-Tem Kenneth Washington and Ashley cut the ceremonial ribbon with a host of city leaders and professionals including Sandra McGuire, Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.
Meet Ashley DeRamus
What’s so special about Ashley DeRamus? Ashley is a very famous young lady with Down Syndrome who doesn’t let that stop her from accomplishing anything!
Ashley is an entrepreneur, advocate, singer, public speaker, award-winning swimmer, music video star and a fashion creator. Ashley’s motto is “Don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do…show them what you can do,” and she has quite an extensive resume! She founded the Ashley DeRamus Foundation in 2012, a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to the education, advancement and quality of lifestyle for those with Down Syndrome. Her foundation works to increase awareness of Down Syndrome and enlighten others about the rewards and positive contribution that those with Down Syndrome make in society.
Before starting the foundation, Ashley worked as a volunteer at the Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs in Birmingham. This organization serves special needs babies from birth to age 3 and gives them a chance to develop their potential. Ashley funded scholarships through donations she collected during her volunteer time at the Bell Center and her foundation continues to raise money to support this charity.
Among Ashley’s many accolades, she was named the 2015 National Down Syndrome Society’s Champion of Change and received the Down Syndrome International Advocate of the Year Award. In 2016, she was honored to receive the Christian Advocate of the Year Award and was named one of thirty-five women in Alabama for the Alabama Women Who Shape the State.
When you ask Ashley what she is famous for, she always answers, “Hugs!” She loves people and loves to travel. On her trip to India, Ashley visited 1500 children at a school that her family built and got to visit an orphanage of about 150 orphans. Ashley gave the children clothes and uniforms. She was also able to provide wheelchairs for those with special needs. Several times a year, you will find Ashley on Capitol Hill encouraging senators and congressmen to pass legislation to better the lives of all individuals with special needs and has had the opportunity to meet a lot of people in Washington, D. C. including former Congressman Ron Paul and Senator Ted Cruz. During her travels, Ashley ran into former U. S. Representative Spencer Bachus III at the airport who became one of her best friends. She’ll never forget that Bachus tied her shoe so she wouldn’t trip during that excursion.
Ashley is only one of two people to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and sing the National Anthem in all 50 states and the first with special needs for such an accomplishment as this. Ashley feels strongly that every person should live up to their God-given potential and the success of her new retail business will benefit the charities she supports. She has inspired many other young people with special needs to open their own businesses. Mary Angelini is one of those young people inspired by Ashley to created her own coffee company called Gabi’s Grounds Coffee Shop – A Hug in a Mug. Gabi’s Grounds is just one of the excellent products sold in Ashley’s new retail endeavor.
Ashley by Design
Ashley launched her own fashion line, “Ashley by Design”, at the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) Annual Convention in Denver, Colorado in 2013 and continues to be sold through special events and Southern Women’s Shows in her traveling boutique. The line, described as special clothing for special people, is specifically tailored for females with Down Syndrome – a perfect fit that is hard to achieve off-the-rack. Because of its fashion forward and trendy designs, the clothing has been purchased and worn by people of all shapes and sizes and has caught the attention of California Apparel News, fashion magazines and newspapers in London and Paris. Because of her work with Ashley by Design, Ashley was also named one of the “6 Entrepreneurs with Down Syndrome Who are Inspiring the World” by Disney’s Babble.
Ashley DeRamus Foundation’s Executive Director, Gary Kannegiesser, shared at the grand opening event, “this Ashley by Design boutique has been established in Leeds at the Shops of Grand River to raise money for other things that Ashley and her foundation does, but it doesn’t stop them from being involved in the community to do local outreach projects like inviting kids out to a property that they are developing at Logan Martin so a special needs mom or dad could bring their child out to experience things like riding in a wide open field on an ATV or just enjoy a boat ride, because they do not have opportunities to do things like this. Ashley’s family also has an indoor arena in Vincent that does barrel racing and roping so if we get a response with enough young people or other organizations, we can have a fishing day or something with horses. These are just some of the things that Ashley and her organization are spearheading with that motto still in mind, ‘don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do…show them what you can do’. In her public speaking, whether it is a car dealership or a school system with special needs individuals who can see Ashley and all the things she has accomplished…well, that’s the story in a nutshell.”
Ashley by Design’s boutique is located in Suite 426 at the Shops of Grand River at 6200 Grand River Boulevard in historic Leeds. The boutique is open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 noon until 6:00 p.m. Ashley’s boutique carries ladies clothing, accessories and special one of a kind art work as well as Gabi’s Grounds coffee. Ashley and her mother, Connie, choose attractive styles that flatter all body shapes and sizes. Their plans are for this boutique to be at Grand River through January 2021.
Besides working in her boutique, Ashley is available for speaking engagements. She loves to speak to groups and share her story of hope and encouragement. Be sure to stop in to shop at Ashley by Design and meet Ashley personally. For more information about Ashley DeRamus, Ashley by Design and Ashley DeRamus Foundation, please visit www.AshleyByDesign.com and www.AshleyDeRamusFoundation.org or on Google, YouTube and Facebook.
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For more information or to coordinate an interview please contact Connie DeRamus @ 205.572.5066 or Gary Kannegiesser @ 440.670.2897. Any exposure for this information would be greatly appreciated.
Ashley by Design Ribbon Cutting Photo L-R: Fred Britt – Power Laser Cut (Chamber Board), Danny Van Deventer – America’s First Credit Union, Demetrius Riley-Grand River Guest Services Supervisor, Allana McCain- Grand River Administrative Assistant, Adam Armstrong-Grand River Operations Manager, Connie DeRamus – Ashley’ Mom & Store President, Ashley DeRamus – Store Owner, Ken Washington – Mayor Pro-Tem, Sandra McGuire – Chamber Executive Director, Jeannie Cole – Grand River Property Manager.
Ashley by Design Group Photo L-R: Connie DeRamus (Ashley’s Mother & Foundation President), Ashley DeRamus & Gary Kannegiesser (Foundation Executive Director)
Press Release & Photo Credits: Dona Bonnett - adr Business & Marketing Strategies