Women in Business Feature

Refinery Consignment Boutique

Women in Business Spotlight: Jaimee Michaelson-Webster with Refinery Boutique

Oregon City is powered by small business and we recently learned more about one of our very own women-owned businesses. Jaimee Michaelson-Webster relocated Refinery Boutique, and it’s right in our downtown community. 

Refinery Boutique, is a women’s consignment with the goal of increasing conscious consumerism and reducing our reliance on fast fashion. She’s been providing women a place to shop and curate their closets since 2014 on Main Street.

You’ll find Refinery tucked into 900 Main St. #108 Oregon City, OR 97045

Originally from New Zealand, and northern California more recently, Jaimee, her husband and dog relocated here 8 years ago. They chose Oregon City for Refinery after visiting every town within 45 minutes of Portland. She knew this was home because of the history, small town energy and the growing community of Oregon City.

Refinery has a focus on unique and high-quality items, “We provide an outlet for using and reusing the resources that we already have in circulation. We can have a positive impact on our planet while refreshing our closets and celebrating self-expression.” 

A frequent shopper agrees, saying, “I visit this consignment store every few months for ‘new’ + low cost work clothes. It offers higher quality second hand clothes for great prices. I also really like the store owner. A really nice lady with great taste in clothes!”

Have items that you’d like to sell at Refinery Boutique? You can learn more about their consignment options by visiting the consignment info on their website. To see when new looks hit the store or for outfit ideas, follow Refinery on Instagram. 

The shopping experience inside is bright and the colorful selection of clothing and accessories are organized and have been well cared for, and she carries a range of sizes and styles. 

Jaimee has created a space that makes you feel good when you shop, and by visiting Refinery Boutique and extending the life of an item, it supports a mission and passion for reducing fast-fashion and supporting the environment.

 “Consigning and shopping secondhand can be part of the solution to relieving some of the strain that fast fashion puts on the earth’s resources.” Jaimee, Refinery

“My Mum is my biggest inspiration – she’s given me an example of facing every challenge with grace and courage my whole life. If I achieve even a bit of her grit and class, I’ll be good to go.”

When she’s not running her business, she spends her time with her husband and dog; they love taking advantage of the area we live in by visiting new hiking spots, and being on the rivers and lakes. She also enjoys puttering around and tending in their veggie garden as well and supporting the amazing U-pick farms.

WHAT LESSON(S) HAVE YOU LEARNED THROUGH YOUR TIME AS A WOMAN IN BUSINESS?

“No one is going to take you seriously if you don’t take yourself seriously. Ask for what you want – no one is just going to give it to you. And don’t be afraid of not knowing everything! Ask all the questions.”

WHAT’S A PIECE OF ADVICE FOR OTHER ASPIRING WOMEN OR FOLKS WHO WANT TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESS OR DO SOMETHING THEY LOVE?

“Absolutely go for it. There’s never going to be a perfect time, but life is too short to not take chances on the things you feel passionate about.”

The past year has been rough for everyone, and every small business has been impacted in some way. Though foot traffic on Main Street reduced and business dropped significantly, Jaimee says “it can always be worse, and for some it has been. I have a lot to be grateful for, especially for my customers and consignors. It’s absolutely because of them that Refinery is still hanging in there.” Furthermore, it’s the “effort from people who shop small and local, that continue to make all the difference in the world.”

HOW TO SUPPORT REFINERY BOUTIQUE

Stop in and say hello when you’re in the area, they are open with limited capacity and safe social distancing practices. 

Visit Jaimee’s store at 900 Main St. #108 Oregon City, OR 97045

Written and photographed by our volunteer Ashleyann Burnett, with Simple Shot Photography. Here is her story about visiting with Jaimee. 

“I’ve met or have gotten to learn more about many women in our downtown community and I often see that Refinery Boutique is a heavily recommended shop amongst them. After meeting with Jaimee, it’s to no surprise why so many women pop in to shop here and why her customers choose to support Refinery. Boutique Jaimee created a wonderful place to explore and find expression through loving clothes that would have been tossed in the landfills. Her passion stems from her mission of being environmentally conscious and reducing our impact in the fast-fashion industry, and it shines through everyday.”