One day someone will say, "I would have never advanced myself in skill development if it were not for her Artisan Project." ~ Laurianda C Jenkins

As a seamstress, I worked with countless clients who came to me for custom garments. And no matter their age, size, or style, their stories sounded the same: “Nothing fits me right off the rack.”

Waistbands gapped. Hips felt restricted. Dresses fit in one place and failed in another. The problem wasn’t their bodies—it was the clothes.

Then one moment changed everything.

A client asked me to take her measurements while wearing shapewear. She wanted her custom garment to match not just her natural body, but the shape she felt most confident in. That request sparked a realization: women weren’t just looking for clothes—they were looking for fit, structure, and support.

So I asked myself: What if the solution wasn’t layering shapewear underneath… but building it directly into the garment?

That’s where The Perfect Assistant began.

We design skirts with a built-in shaping waistband—so the garment works with your body, not against it. The truth is, mass-produced clothing was never designed for every body. And women who don’t fit standard sizing deserve more than compromise.

At The Perfect Assistant, we serve women who are tired of the frustration of shopping—and ready to feel seen, supported, and beautifully put together.

Our goal is simple: To give you the feeling of relief when something finally fit and the confidence that comes with knowing it was made with you in mind.

Fearless Fund 2023

Fearless Fund is the 1st venture capital firm that is built by WOC for WOC. We invest in under-resourced entrepreneurs including women of color led businesses seeking pre-seed, seed level or series A financing. Our mission is to bridge the gap in venture capital funding for women of color founders building scalable, growth aggressive companies.

Black Ambition 2023

Black Ambition is a non-profit initiative working to close the opportunity and wealth gap through entrepreneurship. We invest capital and resources in high-growth startups founded by underrepresented entrepreneurs. We believe entrepreneurs historically left out of traditional investment funnels are building the companies of tomorrow.

National Black Business Pitch 2024

Pathway to Opportunity is a competition designed to connect small businesses with corporations seeking to expand their supply chain with innovative products and services.

Shelly Shephard Master Teacher of the Year 2024

Each year, the award is presented to an instructor who exemplifies VisArts’ mission through his or her excellence, creativity and dedication to students. Faculty, staff, students, board members and members of the greater Richmond community are invited to nominate their favorite instructor for the award.

Shelly Shepard Master Teacher Award

“Something in the Water” Pitch Competition

Comcast RISE 2024 Grant Recipient

Build A Nest Maker’s Future Fund 2026

Nest is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering artisans and makers, particularly women, by providing training, grants, and market access to grow their small craft businesses. Through initiatives like the Makers Future Fund, they offer $5,000 grants and coaching, while the Makers United program connects US-based maker-entrepreneurs to resources and opportunities.