MARION BUSINESS RECEIVES $10,000 BACKING SMALL BUSINESS GRANT FROM AMERICAN EXPRESS
The Town of Marion, in partnership with Virginia Main Street and the National Main Street Center, proudly announces that Just Believe Boutique in Marion has been awarded $10,000 through the American Express “Backing Small Business” grant program. “This nationwide initiative has awarded 400 grants to locally significant small businesses, helping them fuel growth and continue making a meaningful community impact,” said Amy Guzulaitis of the Virginia Main Street Program. “Recipients demonstrated resilience and a strong vision for the future.” “We are so proud of Oanya Jennings and her team at Just Believe Boutique,” said Ken Heath, Marion’s Director of Community and Economic Development. “This was a very competitive and long process, and the award is well-deserved.”
Located in the heart of Marion’s historic downtown, Just Believe Boutique was founded in 2016 in owner Oanya Jennings’ basement before opening its retail storefront in 2018 at 201 East Main Street. The boutique will celebrate 10 years in business this coming fall, marking a decade of serving and styling women across the region.
“To date, we have been blessed to serve over 8,700 customers both online and in-store,” said Jennings. “We offer classic and on-trend women’s styles from size small through 3X, along with skincare and makeup. I am incredibly humbled and grateful for the support our community has shown us over the years. We simply would not be here without the customers who choose to shop local and the many people who share, follow, encourage, and promote our business through word of mouth and social media.
It is truly an honor to serve this community.” Grant funds have supported key growth and operational needs, including a website redesign, new custom clothing tags and branding designs, rent support, and essential retail infrastructure such as branded shopping bags and other store supplies—strengthening both customer experience and long-term stability. Visit the boutique online at JustBelieveBoutique.com.
Since launching in 2021, the American Express Backing Small Businesses program has provided more than $14 million in grants to over 1,600 small business owners nationwide. For information on additional incentives and opportunities in Marion, contact Ken Heath at kheath@marionva.org or (276) 378-5026.
