Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Ellis.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ashley. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started RubiaWear in the summer of 2014. I am a principal dancer for the Boston Ballet and, as is typical of most ballet companies, we have a layoff in each summer which can offer time to do other things. I’ve always enjoyed making things and I had played around with making some of my own dance wear in the past. A few of my friends had expressed interest in some leg warmers I’d recently made and asked if I could make them some. People started telling me that they’d pay for them and that I should sell them, which is not something I’d intended on doing. So, with a little extra time on my hands I decided it would be my next project. It started out very small and has grown progressively each year.
Skip ahead to 2018, the brand RubiaWear, which by the way comes from my nickname “Rubia” which means blondie in Spanish, is internationally recognized by professionals and aspiring dancers alike. We’ve expanded the line from only leg warmers to a variety of dance wear items and accessories, still focused on maintaining small batch runs of each fabric, keeping pieces unique. All items are made in the USA, some of them right here in Boston!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been an interesting and exhilarating ride learning the ins and outs of running a business. Although it’s been challenging at times, balancing life as a dancer and small business owner, I am so grateful for the unexpected development of this exciting venture.
I stuck to the slow and steady rate, making myself commit to not taking on more than I could handle, because I was and still am not ready to give up my day job. But eventually I will and at that time I can dive deeper and explore all that awaits.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about RubiaWear – what should we know?
RubiaWear is a dancewear brand. We specializing in warm-ups and other accessories and are best known for our unique legwarmers,
What makes us most proud? We really care about our customers, so when we see people wearing our pieces and when they project that they feel beautiful, cozy, cool, or just plain happy in these items, it really feels great.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I think that being a professional dancer and being around other dancers to bounce ideas off of is of a great advantage to the success of RubiaWear. I wear the product myself, my friends wear it, and I always encourage honest feedback. In the end it is made for those who will wear it, so it would be silly not to utilize their eyes too and create the best things possible!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rubiawear.com
- Email: rubiawear@gmail.com
- Instagram: rubiawear
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rubiawear/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/rubiawear
Image Credit:
Photo of me by Anastasia Aranovich
RubiaWear photos by Kadri Karmo
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