We had the good fortune of connecting with Erin Ruta and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Erin, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
Work smarter, not harder. I’ve always disliked this piece of work wisdom – as an entrepreneur and a mom, you have no choice but to do both. Time management is not a thing when you have kids! You can be writing an email to a customer and mediating a fight over who gets the last snack at the same time.
Multi-tasking is a myth, you do all the things all the time. My mental load is picking up the kids on time, making lunches, ordering fabric, managing the timeline of a roll out, revising marketing plans and designs, making doctor’s appointments, and at 10PM sewing samples before I head to bed. You work hard at everything you do – and that is because you care so much about the outcome. I think a lot of what goes into entrepreneurship is the sheer will to succeed so you really are working smart and hard all the time to reach your goals.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The focus for our brand has really solidified this past year. Growing in a pandemic market meant understanding who we were as a brand and not taking our customers for granted. Our 2021 Fall Collection is so exciting I can barely stand it!
I am beyond excited to launch our pre-order mid July – our ladies capsule – The Worthy Collection – is all about making you feel great in what you wear, feeling empowered to live your best self and to stop putting yourself second. So often caretakers put themselves on the back burner and focus on the ones they are caring for – and we believe that ”What you wear is Selfcare ” and you are worthy of clothing that fits and makes you feel remarkable.
Our Children’s collection is even more exciting! Navigating home school and new ways of learning, giving our kiddos the chance of open ended play, experiences over toys and creating memories in such a difficult time. The language of childhood is play and our clothing offers creative freedom to explore, for your children to grow into their authentic selves. You are raising incredible humans that will make the world a better place, we help dress them for their big dreams. This and more for the magical joy of childhood.
Our vision for 2021/22 is so bright I am thrilled we have the chance to create and live here in this beautiful place. The Atlanta area has offered us a chance to expand our brand. We employ local moms and shops that will give back to the community, using American organic fabrics, milled and printed in the US, and micro manufacturing locally we are excited to see what the future holds for us!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We have loved getting to know the local area! Having moved mid pandemic we didn’t get a chance to get out too much when we first arrived, but now that everything is opening back up – we love to explore the local area.
We are lucky to be in the middle of a number of great spots. Old town Duluth has been our fave spot to hang out so far. They have amazing restaurants, a great open air space to sit and relax. Good Word Brewing is fantastic. We tried a tasting flight along with their appies – the charcuterie board and the Gnocchi was to die for!
We also really loved heading into town and catching a Braves game. Being so close to the city and getting to experience the small town feel has been a lot of fun and truly makes you feel local.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shop wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the support of a few key people. The support of a spouse isn’t always a given and I am very thankful that I have a proud husband in my corner cheering me on. On the days I don’t think I can keep going, or want to pack it all in cause it’s just too much, he keeps me focused and reminds me that I believe in myself and that he knows what I am doing is on track. It is hard to know when you are inside the whirlwind of decisions and the slow steps of progress that you are actually getting anywhere and I am thankful that he sees the growth and helps me focus on the wins.
My boss babe for life Denise, who is a fellow mama maker is always in my corner! We may be 1000’s of miles away from each other but we build each other up every day and continue to bounce ideas off and give each other pep talks constantly. It was very tough to have to leave our friends and family behind when we moved from Canada to Atlanta in the middle of the Pandemic, but I was especially sad to leave my maker family, and Denise! The great thing is we still have insta and facebook to connect and even though we are far apart – we still build each other up!
My most recent cheerleader has definitely been my business coach Amanda Wagner. She’s been the one in my corner the past few months pushing me to bigger and better things. Her conviction in her teaching and unwavering determination to get you where you are supposed to has given me the direction and confidence to push forward when for a bit there in the middle of the pandemic, I was leaning towards closing up shop. She truly changed the way I saw my business and by brand.
Website: www.prairiewilds.com
Instagram: wwww.instagram.com/prairiewilds
Facebook: www.facebook.com/prairiewilds
Other: www.pinterest.com/prairiewilds1
Image Credits
All photography was provided by: Katya Vilchyk katyavilchyk.com / atlantabrandingphotographer.com cell (707) 484-0028