Juri Miller

Owner

If there’s one thing Juri doesn’t like, it’s being bored. That’s why when fortuitous events brought her some unexpected downtime in 2019, she wasted no time. After a car accident and weeks of hospitalization forced her to stand down for a few months, she did what any other normal person would do: she got a puppy to keep her company, and started a business to keep her sanity.

As a former banking executive with two school-aged children, Juri has been far too familiar with the day-to-day struggles of working parents. Today, as the founder and owner of Balance RVA (BRVA), her mission is to help parents raise their families without having to sacrifice an ounce of their professional ambition. At her 10,000 sq ft building in Richmond’s West End, she provides her members with a  distraction-free place to work and upscale office amenities, while also offering on-site, discounted childcare and an abundance of health and wellness resources.

Prior to becoming a self-declared “mompreneur,” Juri spent two successful decades in the financial services industry.  By the age of 26, she had been promoted to the role of Senior Vice President at the 6th largest bank in the nation. That soon led to more executive positions, including Chief Compliance Officer for the nation’s second largest non-bank lender. “I was very fortunate,” she says; “By the age of 30, I had achieved everything I wanted to in Corporate America.” So when her first child arrived in 2009 and then her second quickly followed, she decided it was time to go off on her own. First, she started a regulatory consulting business — after that, a photography business and then a real estate business. “Even though I had more work, I was working fewer hours because I had complete control over my schedule,” she explains. “And I had no ‘mommy guilt’ either, because I could schedule my work around my kids – not the other way around.”

Experiencing the freedom of this lifestyle is what prompted Juri to make it her life’s focus to help other parents do the same. Now a passionate advocate for working parents everywhere, Juri leads a staff with a singular mission – to help others realize that having a successful career AND being a dedicated parent are not mutually exclusive. “Balance RVA is built on the belief that parents shouldn’t have to choose between their careers and their families,” she says. “Everyone can, and deserves to, have both.”

Juri graduated Magna Cum Laude from Cornell University with degrees in both English and Psychology. She attended graduate school while working full-time and earned her Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) with Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) honors from the University of Richmond’s Robins School of Business. Her expertise in running financial operations has been published across the globe, and in 2013 she was recognized by the University of Richmond as an inaugural winner of its “Top 35 under 35” award. She lives in Richmond, VA with her husband and their two youngest children. In addition to the daily struggles of working parents, she is passionate about mental health rights, child abuse prevention, and alternative healing modalities.

Ashley Barnette

Childcare Manager

Ashley oversees all aspects of the childcare program at Balance RVA, including both the Infant and Pre-K rooms. Before joining Balance RVA, she was a Lead Teacher at a daycare center and also worked as a private nanny. Ashley joined Balance RVA in 2020 as the Infant Room teacher and was promoted to Childcare Manager in 2022. 

Parents of children in Ashley’s Pre-K room speak highly of her “gentle confidence” and balanced approach to fun and structure.  One parent says, “Ashley has been such an amazing friend to my family from the day we joined Balance RVA. She is quick to assess our children’s needs and shift on what will help them best. She goes above and beyond to make sure the kids are active and learning new things!”  Others share that “I always feel like Ashley has everything under control… my daughter is always so happy when I pick her up!” and “Ashley makes sure to keep me informed on happenings of the day or any changes that she observes. Having this care and communication is why I trust Balance RVA.”

Ashley enjoys teaching healthy socialization skills, leading arts & crafts, and encouraging physical activity. In her spare time, she volunteers at women’s shelters and is active in her church.

“Ashley is a beautiful human inside and out! She is strong, honest, loving, patient and a wonderful role model for our children. She allows the children to be individuals which gives them the tools and confidence to grow into beautiful humans themselves. Ashley genuinely cares for their well-being as if they were her own and as a parent, it truly doesn’t get any better than that!”

Andrea Adcock

Childcare Provider

Andrea joined the Balance RVA team in 2022. Her love for childcare first blossomed as a student teacher for a third grade class. Ever since, Andrea has worked in various childcare roles, including as a nanny and infant/toddler preschool teacher. 

Parents of children in Andrea’s Infant classroom compliment how  “Andrea is so proud of each achievement our little ones make in daycare… I could not be happier with how much she helps my mama heart leave our baby each morning!”  They also say, “My daughter typically takes a little bit to warm up to new people, but ever since day one with Andrea, she has connected and felt comfortable. Andrea has a caring and calm presence that children naturally respond to so well. She also is informative and a great communicator which is so appreciated!” and “Andrea is always calm and has such a warm smile that makes you feel like she’s just so happy to be with the kids and that she genuinely loves them!”

Andrea is mother to two young boys, Abel and Mac, who join her at work every day.  She enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors.

“Andrea is the salt of the earth. She always has a smile on her face and handles situations with a gentle, calm demeanor. She shows the children by example how to channel their emotions and do what’s right. Knowing that my daughter is in such good hands when I drop her off in the morning is the absolute best feeling. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Shannon Torrence

Childcare Provider

Shannon is a professional voice actor, former live music booker and commercial casting assistant who recently moved to RVA from Los Angeles for a more peaceful, natural lifestyle and to be close to her family.  

Shannon assists in both the Infant and Pre-K classrooms, and parents are quick to notice how well she engages with every child and fosters a creative, imaginative environment. Parents rave that “Shannon is so attentive to each child and constantly compliments each and every single one!” Others appreciate how “Shannon is so quick to flex to each child’s wants and needs… she knows exactly how to meet our children right where they are.” Whether taking children outside or singing showtunes, Shannon intuitively senses how to relate to each and every child in her care. 

Shannon has been a part time nanny and babysitter for 30 years, primarily for high profile families in LA, and enjoys interacting with children of all ages.  She is a Supernanny fan and an advocate for the Positive Discipline method.  Shannon also enjoys hiking, yoga, podcasting, reading, learning new languages, live music, being a mom to her two cats, meeting new people and traveling.

“If Shannon was a Season, she would definitely be Spring! She is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. She’s creative, positive and a great listener which definitely spills over to the children. She is such a wonderful, positive role model.”