When Ashley Doll, CEL ’24, owner of Ashley’s Lingerie and Swimwear, partnered with Projects Clinic students this spring, she knew the experience would be the most valuable if it was as collaborative as possible.

“I would have loved this experience when I was in college,” Doll says. “Whether the students succeed or fail, it is all about learning through real-life results. I wanted to provide the team with as much information as possible and let them decide how to approach the project.”

Doll’s biggest challenge has been making the identity of her store stand out and managing how the business has evolved since she purchased it in 2021 — when it was then known as Blum’s. To give the Projects Clinic team the information they needed to develop meaningful recommendations, she gave students Emily Dickey, Jessica Gow and Alexis Lee the opportunity to analyze critical sales data.

“Providing the students with direct access to our point-of-sale system allowed them to fully engage with the business,” she says. “Their detailed, thoughtful questions led to conversations that helped me prioritize what matters most.”

Using that data, the students analyzed purchasing trends, identified peak shopping times and developed strategies to help boost business. And, the team’s suggestions could make a real impact.

“They identified Sunday as our slowest day and suggested a monthly mother-daughter event to draw people into the store and strengthen connections with our target audiences,” Doll says.

Written by Alexandra Richter