Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ruth Ramsey. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ruth, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

In my early twenties, I worked in corporate fashion buying for several incredible companies. It was a great learning experience in fashion, margins, and profitability. However, I never felt truly fulfilled. So, I decided to leave corporate America and try starting my own business in wholesale fashion and reselling. I was familiar with brands and luxury products from my previous roles, but investing my own savings into the business was a challenge. The business started small, and every dollar earned was reinvested into purchasing inventory. Over time, I became an expert in accessible brands and began to see the business grow steadily.

Ruth, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I resell on multiple platforms, but my main source of orders is through Poshmark. I have sold over $1M life to date and I do this by becoming an expert within brand and finding opportunities for margin and profit. I see this business as a way to help customers find great deals on the brands they love. I’ve sold wedding dresses, prom outfits, and many event pieces. I also believe this business helps the environment, as some of my pieces are damaged or stained. I have systems in place to repair and clean them, and I love knowing that I’ve potentially saved a garment from ending up in a landfill. The brands I love become almost an obsession—I know all the style names, new arrivals, and pricing. I share this knowledge through my carefully curated Poshmark closet.

Have you ever had to pivot?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from starting my own business is the importance of staying constantly curious. In my first year, I was so focused on a few brands and keeping my costs low that I didn’t seek out new opportunities. This changed when I visited a friend in NYC and learned that Barney’s was closing its Upper East Side location. We discovered where they were selling their “damaged” inventory and ended up purchasing hundreds of pieces that month. I would fly back and forth from Dallas to score incredible items. It was a major investment, and I was concerned about how the pieces would sell. However, it turned out to be a game changer—I was able to sell everything for a significant profit, which helped fuel my business. The capital from this experience allowed my business to become completely self-funded and debt-free. I often reference this time when I’m presented with much larger opportunities.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

One of the podcasts I always reference is How I Built This, a series showcasing incredible business owners. Specifically, the episode with Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx. She offers amazing insights, and one of the key topics she discusses is how she waited to tell anyone about her idea. This really stuck with me, especially because I had so many doubts in the beginning.

I had come from well-known companies, working in the buying office. I was employed at a company that would be many girls’ dream job in their twenties. So, explaining that I was starting my own business felt challenging. But like Sara’s podcast suggested, I kept most of it to myself. I am glad I didn’t take other’s opinions and go back to corporate America, It wasn’t until I started my instagram @Ruthlessreselling and started posting sales numbers did I see other people view my business as successful.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: ruthlessreselling

Image Credits

@shuttercruzcontrol