CityView Magazine

12 | March/April 2017 my birthday." Being at rock bottom gave Ashley the boldness to make the leap and start her own business in 2011, Pressed Branding. Pressed Branding works on projects for local businesses (you may have seen Fayetteville Pie Company's logo) all the way up to national brands (like Inc. Magazine) to create strong visual brands and creative marketing. In less than five years, Ashley's business grew beyond her wildest imaginings. When her one- dog family grew to two, Ashley was forced to move. During her tour of new rentals, 120 Hay Street stood out as both a living and a work space. "In one day I had signed a lease and had a space for my dream retail store!" In 2015, Pressed: A Creative Space was born. "e scariest thing I did was step away from a growing business to start all over again," Ashley said. Planning and capital were the next steps for Pressed's expansion into Pressed: A Creative Space. "CEED really helped me. I knew I needed to be prepared when I talked to Lexi so I brought my business plan and samples for my dream storefront. Presenting it to her pushed me to really get it ready." Lexi Hasapis is the Director of the Women's Business Center at CEED (Center for Economic Empowerment and Development) and Scott Keen, the Capital Loan officer, helped Ashley secure a loan. Made in North Carolina Scents of lemon pound cake and rain water permeate the super chic vibe inside Pressed's storefront. Sandhills Candle Company, a mission-centric brand that donates five meals to the Food Bank of North Carolina for every candle sold, a handpicked brand by Ashley, is on display. Sage Harvest Gourmet Jerky from Southern Pines tempts customers during checkout. Sage Harvest has a heart for the global community. ey use 10% of the jerky proceeds to improve the lives of orphaned children in China. It is hard to spot a yogi or fashionista in Fayetteville without a Pura Vida bracelet, or ten, stacked on their wrist. Ashley chose to stock this vibrant line of handwoven bracelets whose mission of sustainable crasmanship has helped employ over 100 artisans in Costa Rica. With the colorful accessories throughout the store and the witty cards—some of which have been pressed by the 100-year-old letterpress in the back!—lining the walls, you can't help but smile. Ashley uses her love of branding to highlight brands with a story. "I handpick other military spouse businesses to put in our store and give them a place where their brands can take off and grow." R. Riveter pop-ups at Pressed have been both popular and powerful for military spouses, since each bag is handmade by a military spouse who can keep their job no matter where

• Cover