Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Ellis.
Ashley, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started the business in 2014 after I started making some dancewear items for myself to wear to work, as other dancers showed interest I decided to make them available to through an online store.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I feel fortunate that the business has taken off as it has while running things on my own and working full time in a very demanding profession. To say that it has taken a lot of work would be an understatement, and I’d say that has been the biggest struggle. However as I’ve figured out how to manage things and after learning a lot about having a small business I can say that things are more manageable now.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
The business is RubiaWear, a line that started as a line of legwarmers only for professional dancers and otherwise active people. The brand has since introduced new products and plans to continue to do so in the future.
I am proud that my customers are so happy with the product, it is so fun to see people get excited about something that you created solely on your own.
I started the business because I realized that there was no company currently offering what I was designing, so this sets me apart from others. If there were already companies out there offering what I was designing then I wouldn’t have started the business. I am already too busy, but I saw an opportunity and decided to go for it, what was there to lose? And I’m so happy it did because I’ve learned so much, and I feel like people are enjoying the products very much, which is quite gratifying. Now that the brand is more established I look forward to growing and adding products with time.
One of the main challenges, however, is balancing my life as a dancer which is still my passion. This is the reason I am comfortable growing at a slower pace, I don’t want to compromise my career as a dancer to make this happen so I do my best to find balance. I will say though, that I believe being a dancer does give me an advantage in that I am wearing the products myself and get invaluable feedback from my coworkers who also love wearing the products.
Pricing:
- Full legwarmer, starts at $28
- Romper, starts at $48
- Shorty legwarmer, starts at $22
- Rubita/MINI legwarmers, starts at $19
- Rubita Romper, starts at $38
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rubiawear.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rubiawear/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rubiawear/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/rubiawear
- Other: http://shop.bostonballet.org/search/legwarmer/
Image Credit:
Ashley Ellis in RubiaWear photo by Kenneth B. Edwards at Boston Ballet studios
Boston Ballet Artist Lawrence Rines in RubiaWear; photo by Kenneth B. Edwards at Boston Ballet studios
Boston Ballet dancers Matthew Slattery and Rachele Buriassi in RubiaWear; photo by Kenneth B. Edwards at Boston Ballet studios
Boston Ballet Artist Hannah Bettes in RubiaWear; photo by Kenneth B. Edwards at Boston Ballet studios
Boston Ballet Principal Dancer Lia Cirio in RubiaWear; photo by Kenneth B. Edwards at Boston Ballet studios
Ashley Ellis in RubiaWear; photo by Kenneth B. Edwards at Boston Ballet Studios
Boston Ballet Principal Dancer Kathleen Breen Combes with daughter Cora in RubiaWear; photo by Kenneth B. Edwards at Boston Ballet studios
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