Every time her mother put wallpaper up in her bedroom, 16-year-old Ashley created her own designs. "She has a picture of a big dinosaur I drew on brand new Waverly wallpaper when I was 3," the Garden City resident and high school French Honor Society student said.

Ashley used those artistic doodles and began creating what's now become signature ribbon designs - anything from flamingos, martinis, lobsters, bees, shamrocks, dragonflies and more, which now adorn popular products like grosgrain ribbon belts, key fobs, watches, headbands and most recently tote bags and children's items. She is now the CEO and founder of Lilly Ashley, a New York-based accessory brand.

The young entrepreneur opened her flagship store in Ocean Beach, Fire Island last May. Her rapidly growing business is now celebrating its two-year anniversary and Ashley's products - which retail for approximately $12 to $60 - are featured in nearly 100 stores from Maine to Florida, North Carolina to California and right here in Garden City at The Pear Tree and The Island.

"The Pear Tree was the first store we approached," Ashley said. "I say 'we' because I asked my mom to take the first items in; I didn't think they would be impressed with a 15-year-old. They have been really supportive of me and now I make my own deliveries. The Island visited my booth at a retail show in the Javits Center and placed an order."

The designs have taken the fashion world by storm. Last month's Ellegirl exhibited one of Ashley's products, she was recently interviewed for an upcoming feature in Teen People and just recently Vogue called after seeing one of Ashley's key chains in Ellegirl and checking out her website (www.lillyashley.com).

Each season Ashley adds to the collection about six motifs, which she personally draws and then forwards to a ribbon maker in the Northeast. She has even begun sketching a clothing and handbag line too. "It is probably two seasons away though," she admits.

With all the schoolwork that comes with being a 16-year-old, Ashley believes her business has actually helped her become more organized. "I have to make every minute count," she said. "My parents encourage me to do most of the Lilly Ashley time on the weekend, but right after market week, when everyone wants orders out, it gets a bit hectic. My sister, Morgan, and brother, PJ, help me put together orders."

When she's not creating motifs, Ashley shows off her school spirit as a varsity cheerleader at the high school. She also spends half of her school days at the Performing Arts School in Syosset. Right now she is focused, taking an SAT prep course, a priority for her parents.

Her dad, a managing partner of a local law firm, and her mom, the first woman CFO of the entire SUNY system, which Ashley admitted are "tough acts to follow," couldn't be happier for their daughter. "We are so proud and supportive of what Ashley has achieved. Initially, the challenge was to show her how difficult the business could be. Obviously she has talent. Her sales results are the best measure," Ashley's mom, Kimberly, said.

Last year was a huge startup year but Ashley believes this year will be even better. With more confidence and the store's newly redesigned interior and layout, Ashley, with the help of many of her friends, who all work at the Ocean Beach store, is planning promotions each week, including some discussions with a major magazine about a joint media event.

In 10 years, Ashley hopes to be majoring in business and marketing at a college down south, possibly the University of North Carolina or the University of Florida. She might even come back to New York to complete an additional year at New York City's Fashion Institute of Technology. "I do want to work in the fashion industry," she said. "Hopefully it will be as the CEO of a very successful company named Lilly Ashley."