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Jenet Ahn is the owner of Annalee’s Prom, Bridal, Special Occasions & Tuxedo, located in Brambleton Town Center in Ashburn, Virginia.

Annalee’s has already received recognition in the industry. A year after opening in February 2008, it received the Horizon Award from the International Prom Association (IPA).

In June 2010, the Northern Virginia Magazine named it co-runner up on “Best of NOVA.” That same year, the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce nominated it for the “Small Business of the Year” title.

“Many of my clients are repeat clients over the years,” Jenet said. Some of her high school prom clients have returned to buy their wedding gowns.

She added: “My clients are teenagers and adults who are looking for unique dresses for prom, pageant, wedding, cotillion, homecoming, charity gala, holiday party, military ball, Quinceanera, and other special evening events. I also have tuxedo rental for men.”

Jenet, who friends describe as “a giver,” also makes time for civic work and philanthropy. She holds fundraising fashion shows. She helps nonprofits raise funds for scholarships and other projects. She also collects “gently worn evening dresses” for donation to the less fortunate.

Business Gene

Jenet probably learned about becoming a successful entrepreneur by osmosis, growing up with a father and other relatives who owned or operated their own business.

Her father started his gas station/repair shop business when Jenet was 15. Jenet was 16 when her father’s sister started formal wear business in Virginia Beach. Some 30 years later, and in her seventh decade, her aunt still runs the business in Chesapeake, Virginia.

“Most of my extended family members were or are in business,” said Jenet. Relatives have owned or operated franchises or their own business (Exxon gas stations, 7-11 stores, boutiques).

A single parent proudly raising “three terrific teenagers”–Daniel, 18, Esther, 17 and Anna, 14–Jenet knows about the importance of time management. Currently, she serves on the board of Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce (DRCC), where she co-chairs the Asian Business Council. She’s also on the board of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce.

Jenet graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College with a B.A. degree in Economics and Mathematics. She is a former contract negotiator for the Department of Defense, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation. She was also a high school math teacher.

Jenet came to America in 1973. She was born in Korea, the eldest of three children. The youngest, a West Point graduate, just got promoted to the rank of colonel in the U.S. Army. Lauren Lee White is the president and CEO of her own company, Lionhead Worx (Executive Search Consulting, in New York City.

Annalee’s

Jenet said in an email interview Annalee’s is “a full-service dress boutique specializing in bringing the latest and finest fashions from leading designers.”

Since opening its doors in February of 2008, “Annalee’s has become ‘the dress destination’ for the fashion elite in the Greater Metro Washington D.C. Area.

Jeney said her prices are “$40 to $60 less than” some of her competitors. “All our new arrival evening gowns and bridal gowns have alteration fee included in the pricing,” she said. “No other dress shop does this.”

This year, Jenet will also hold fundraising fashion shows, or help a local non-profit event. This month, it’s the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Casino Night, to benefit five local high school scholarship programs.

Next month, at the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Awards Gala with her as Chair, the beneficiaries are the Chamber and the U.S.O. The Pink Tie Charity Gala will benefit the IIIBs Foundation-Bosom Buddy Baskets.

In March, the event is the Asian-American Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Awards Gala. At the Daffodil Ball, the beneficiary is the benefit Capital Caring (hospice)

Other events: May, launching of Dragon Philanthropic Society; June, Loudoun Interfaith Food Bank; October, Northern Virginia Coalition (NOVACO), which provides housing and services that enable survivors of domestic abuse to bridge from homelessness to self-sufficiency; and November, Rock the Runway to benefit the Loudoun Youth, and also Devotion to Children.

Successful Traits

When she started her business, Jenet recalled that her aunt told her not to act as owner of her business and not to interact with clients. “I think she faced discrimination during her time, and she didn’t want me to encounter that,” she explained. “But times have changed. I embrace that I am a woman, an Asian and an American, and that I can be successful in mainstream business in America.”

Her ex-husband gave her all the financial assistance to start the business. She hired nine part-time and full-time employees in 2008. Currently, she has two full-time employees and part-time employees who are on-call.

“Branding was the biggest challenge when I started, and it still is,” she said. “The first year was so hectic that I really did not focus much on branding. The second year, my father passed away and I separated from my second husband. It took me a year to focus back on my business.”

Aside from offering only items of the highest quality, Jenet said her recipe for success includes “working hard and working long hours, being loyal to my clients, building good personal and professional relationship with everyone, and being genuine and honest.”

Her business colleagues praise her personal and professional traits. Kristina J. Bouweiri, President & CEO of Reston Limousine in Sterling, Virginia sums up Jenet’s traits that make her successful: Authenticity, intelligence, ambition, focus, style, charisma and hard work.

“Jenet is one of the most dynamic, ambitious businesswomen I know,” Kristina said in an email. “She is a giver, giving first of herself to her business associates and friends. She builds community by bringing people together and chairing events.”

She added: “She’s a leader, growing a difficult business in a difficult economy. She never gives up. If a challenge appears, she finds a way to solve it. She works tirelessly to keep her business name in the forefront by using social media, email marketing, event planning, utilizing the local chamber and other business associations.”

“One of the tips I give to other entrepreneurs is, ‘you will only get out of the Chamber what you put in,’” she pointed out. “Jenet has volunteered hours after hours of her time to grow and promote the Chamber. She has chaired the Asian committee. She is chairing the gala. She has set up strategic partnerships with many local businesses that can refer her clients. She puts on fashion shows. She sponsors events. Jenet Ahn is everywhere.”

Remarked DRCC Asian Business Council Co-Chair Lana Bian: “Jenet is hard-working, personable and a great marketer for her business, the gowns she promotes, and herself as well: She always looks gorgeous! She gets involved in many business and philanthropic activities, but she’s also adept at spending her time wisely.”

“As co-chairs of the Asian Business Council, we work very well together, despite the fact that she and I have very different businesses and schedules,” Lana added in an email. “She is very accommodating!”

Jenet’s sister Lauren, also a successful entrepreneur, said from Manhattan: “Jenet is passionate and committed in everything she does, from raising her three children to growing her business. She has an incredible drive to excel and has exceptionally high standards. She’s a fun person, too, with a fine sense of humor. And she gives her time and commitment to causes she believes in. She’s always willing to give and help others.”