A Storefront for Leadership: Ashley Wolfe’s House Of Experience

Senior reflects on her role in campus student-run store, preparing her for the future while fostering connection

When senior management major Ashley Wolfe heard about the opportunity to become student manager of House Of, one of Belmont’s student-run businesses, she didn’t just see a campus job – she saw a chance to refine her skills, lead a group of passionate students and explore her creativity.  

House Of, fueled by the Thomas F. Cone Center for Entrepreneurship, gives students the opportunity to run a curated boutique, while learning about the inner and outer workings of a small business. With the support of Cone Center staff, Wolfe is honing her leadership skills by overseeing a group of 10-12 student employees while gaining hand-on experience that perfectly aligns with her business management education: a rare opportunity for a college student. 

Wolfe’s House Of Journey

Wolfe first heard about House Of at the beginning of her sophomore year, and quickly knew she wanted to get involved. During her time at the boutique, she has taken on a range of responsibilities.  

House Of student employees are divided into three teams, allowing them to focus on specific areas that help support the business: marketing, finance and inventory. 

“When I started four semesters ago, I was our only employee with a finance background, so I immediately got to take that role and started doing our sales reports and tracking our finances,” she said. “The next semester I stepped into our marketing team and worked on our in-store events and photoshoots promoting our clothing.” 

With an interest in leadership and experience working on two of the three specialty teams at House Of, Wolfe decided to apply for the manager position. “As I got into my upper-level management courses, I realized that I had an opportunity to apply what I am learning into the boutique,” shared Wolfe. “I had the unique experience of working on two different teams within my first year, and I wanted to take those experiences into being the manager.”  

Putting Skills to the Test

Cone Center staff offer support and guidance to students who run House Of, but the majority of the responsibility is left to students.  They have vast creative freedom when it comes to inventory choices, marketing tactics and, for Wolfe, strategies for leading the team.  

“In my coursework I’ve learned about leading teams, but it can be a lot different when you are physically doing it,” Wolfe said. “As manager I’ve learned how to structure meetings, follow up with employees on tasks, communicate effectively and best support my team and their individual needs.” 

At its core, House Of is a valuable professional experience for student employees. The Cone Center often invites local business professionals and partners to consult with the team, offer advice and serve as a resource to help move projects forward and bring ideas to life.  

Cultivating the House Of Culture 

Since the August 2025 launch, Wolfe has played a key role in leading House Of’s rebrand and relocation, a responsibility that has required significant leadership and vision. More than bringing a new look to the boutique, the rebrand energized the team and resulted in a boost in revenue, nearly doubling in the past year. Wolfe credits this year’s success to the hardworking student employees and their passion for the store.   

“Each of us have unique ideas for the boutique that we have executed in the rebrand,” she said. “It has been rewarding to help the employees make their ideas possible.” 

Wolfe has also embraced the opportunity to encourage a positive team culture among the student employees in her role as manager. 

“I started team bonding nights so we could get to know each other beyond our shifts in store. It’s also a way to celebrate the work we have put in,” she shared. “Not only are they a huge hit with the team, but I think that our friendship and team culture is noticed and appreciated by our customers.” 

More than a Boutique 

In Wolfe’s eyes, House Of is more than a typical storefront. Her personal experience and growth at the boutique is proof that House Of is a space for student flourishing. From student employees to artists and entrepreneurs whose products are in stock, the student-run store is a supportive environment for learning and developing the necessary skills for success.  

“Shopping at House Of feels very personal versus shopping online or at the mall,” shared Wolfe. “You can see all the work that is being put into the store, from the student vendors and small boutiques that we source from, to the way products are displayed and marketed by our team.” 

That intentional, hands-on approach mirrors Wolfe’s own growth, seeing business not just as operations and numbers, but as people, creativity and meaningful connection. 

“My experience with House Of has changed the way that I view leadership and work with a team,” she said. “I’ve grown in this space not just as a manager, but as a teammate and supporter.” 

Reflecting on the future of the boutique, Wolfe hopes to continue building on the positive momentum in the coming months.  

“We have some exiting partnerships this semester with alumni and new student vendors,” she said. “I am looking forward to building those relationships and continuing to refine what kind of purpose we want to serve to the Belmont and surrounding community.”