Where Care Becomes Artistry – Vi Beautify Studio

Ashley Porter is the founder and owner of Vi Beautify Studio and is Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) from Akwesasne. She moved to Nanaimo before starting school and was raised in a strong healthcare family, with her mother working as a nurse, her grandmother as a care aide, and her father becoming a respected leader in Nuclear Medicine at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.

Following this path, Ashley became a Licensed Practical Nurse and later pursued the LPN–RN bridge program, where she was recognized on the Dean’s List. She eventually chose to follow her passion for beauty and entrepreneurship, bringing together her background in care with her creative work.

Ashley later reconnected with her Kanien’kehá:ka heritage, an experience that has been deeply meaningful for her and her family. Her grandmother, one of her strongest supporters, has been especially proud to see this part of her identity recognized and celebrated.

While building VI Beautify Studio, Ashley pursued advanced education in makeup and hairstyling across Los Angeles, Seattle, New York, Vancouver, and Kamloops. She is recognized as an Elite Makeup Instructor through the Master Makeup Academy and specializes in luxury bridal beauty across Vancouver Island.

She is known for creating a calm, elevated, and professional experience for brides, combining technical artistry with a strong sense of care and presence.

Ashley has also received support from NEDC, which assisted her in scaling her business, strengthening structure, and supporting her expansion as an entrepreneur.

Today, Ashley continues to grow Vi Beautify Studio while mentoring and training others in the beauty industry, with a long-term vision of building a collaborative team that upholds the same high standard of artistry, care, and excellence the studio is known for.