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| Region/Nation | Scotland - Muir of Ord |
|---|---|
| Business Name | Ashlia |
| Owners | Ashlee Smith and Lia Smith |
| Partner | GC Business Finance |
| Social Media |
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| Website | ashlia.co.uk |
The founders of an award-winning Highland fashion rental business, which helps to make occasion wear more affordable and sustainable, have today been named as the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans Ambassadors for Scotland.
Lia (22) and Ashlee (19) Smith, sisters and founders of Ashlia, based in Muir of Ord, join 13 other regional and specialist entrepreneurs recognised in this year’s Ambassador cohort. The Ambassador programme has been running for over a decade and recognises entrepreneurial talent from all 12 Nations and regions across the UK, with recent Scotland Ambassadors including Metahelios, Project Harmless, and Pastéis Lisboa.
Founded to offer a stylish and environmentally conscious alternative to buying outfits for one-off events, Ashlia provides luxury occasion wear and accessories for hire across a wide range of sizes. In 2024, Lia and Ashlee secured a £2,660 loan from GC Business Finance through the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans scheme to support the refurbishment and fit-out of the boutique, and to invest in new stock.
The duo wanted to create a space where customers could find glamorous occasion wear, without compromising on price or style. Ashlia also offers individual appointments where customers can try on pieces, helping them to find the perfect outfit for any occasion. Sustainability sits at the heart of the business model, with customers able to rent premium occasion wear rather than purchase garments for one-time use. The business also uses environmentally friendly packaging and promotes a culture of reuse and responsible consumption.
Since launching the business, Ashlia has proven a hit with customers, and the sisters have set their sights on moving into a larger store and opening additional boutiques in Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Their success has also been recognised through a series of industry awards, including being named Most Sustainable Occasion Wear Boutique at the SME News UK Enterprise Awards 2026 and Young Businesswomen of the Year at the Highland Business Women Awards 2026.
£2,660
to support the refurbishment and fit-out of the boutique, and to invest in new stock.
GC Business Finance
Support for new and early stage businesses
Our advice to anyone starting out would be – don’t wait for the perfect moment to begin, start with what you have, learn as you go, and don’t be afraid to ask for help along the way.
The funding and support from the Start Up Loans scheme has been an integral part of our journey. Without it, we would never have been able to bring Ashlia to life. "We’ve worked incredibly hard to make our store what it is today, and we’ve been blown away by the customer response from day one. It’s very rewarding helping someone find an outfit that they love and feel confident in.
Starting a business isn’t easy and we’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come since opening the boutique in 2024. We’re so excited to be representing Scotland in this year’s Ambassador programme and we can’t wait to see what’s next for Ashlia.
- Lia Smith Co-Founder of Ashlia
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