Sasha Vurnakes

Owner of Sasha Lee’s Romance Boutique, Sasha Vurnakes’ job is to provide a welcoming atmosphere where every customer who walks through the door feels comfortable, whether they seek a certain product or get properly fitted for lingerie. Sasha notes, “Like most small business owners, I work on everything from our social media marketing to ordering inventory. I hand pick every item sold at Sasha Lee’s to ensure that every customer who visits us leaves with a positive experience start to finish.”

Sasha moved to the LA area over a decade ago when her husband was stationed in the United States Navy in Brunswick, Maine. She says, “We originally were drawn to LA because it was the perfect compromise between the coast and the mountains.” She likes that LA is large enough to maintain diversity in entertainment, dining, and recreational options but small enough that she can run into friends and family while out and about in town.

She says she is extremely passionate about Pride LA Maine, which is a Lewiston Auburn LGBTQ+ led grassroots organization that fights for the liberation of all people by building a community to protest injustice and fight indifference. Sasha Lee’s sets up a booth at the LA Pride festival to show support as well as donating to the cause. Sasha also gives back through an Annual Lingerie Fashion Show, which, she says, ”Is different than most runway shows because the models showcasing the garments are everyday local community members of LA.” The show helps spread her shop’s message of body positivity to the local community helping all citizens feel more confident and empowered.

Her goal is to see an increased amount of pride for living in LA.