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Career

How She Got There: Ruthie Davis, Shoe Designer

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Name: Ruthie Davis
Job Title: Shoe Designer and President Ruthie Davis Brand
College/Major: I hold an MBA from the Babson Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts from Bowdoin College.  At Bowdoin I majored in English and Visual Arts.
Website: www.RuthieDavis.com
 Twitter Handle: @Ruthie_Davis
 
Her Campus: What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?
Ruthie Davis: I’m the woman behind a burgeoning global luxury shoe, handbag and sneaker brand – all “Made in Italy.” I’m a designer, a CEO, a publicist, a teacher, and a student. I wear a lot of different hats. No day is typical or like the one before it, really.
 
HC: What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?
RD: My first real industry job was as a “Cool Hunter” for the Reebok Classics Division. I always had a love of fashion and a pretty keen eye. So, for me, researching trends and putting my ear to the ground about what people wanted came naturally.
 
HC: What is one thing you wish you knew about your industry when you first started out that you know now?
RD: I think a lot of people go into the fashion business thinking they can be an overnight success.  It’s a long and arduous process that requires hard work, time and money.  The designers you read about who graduate from design school and are an instant hit are fairy tales.  Anyone wanting to start a designer label needs to know that it is a minimum five-year time frame before things start to take hold.

HC: Who is one person who changed your professional life for the better?
RD: My sales director, Jeremy Lindberg.  He taught me how to be subtler.
 
HC: What words of wisdom do you find most valuable?
RD: My father was also a CEO and instilled within me the absolute necessity of being honest, hard working, and dignified in my life and my business affairs. I’ve found that concept has been literally the keystone of my life across the board.

HC: What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?
RD: For me, this is like a trick question because I have technically made many mistakes, but this is part of the process of building a business.  If you’re out there doing, you’re going to make mistakes.  Nothing is for sure in life and business, and if you are taking chances, there will be mistakes.  I view them more as critical learning experiences.
 
HC: What is the best part of your job?
RD: I’m very fortunate to get to dream up designs, sketch them, and work with my team to make them come to life.  I also love working with my team on the marketing and sales and every aspect of the brand.  Spending my days working on inspiring products with creative and high energy and passionate people is why I love my job.
 
HC: What do you look for when considering hiring someone? 
RD: I look for the same verve for this business that I have, coupled with honesty, business-sense, and an uncompromising eye.  I also like nice people and my motto is, “Hire for attitude, train for skills.”
 
HC: What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?
RD: Find what you love and work hard at it. I couldn’t pour myself into my company 150% if I didn’t feel it in my bones.  That genuine love and passion fosters my dedication, which has made all the difference in the world.

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Gennifer Delman
Gennifer is the Branded Content Specialist for Her Campus Media. In her role, she manages all sponsored content across platforms including editorial, social, and newsletters. As one of HC's first-ever writers, she previously wrote about career, college life, and more as a national writer during her time at Hofstra University. She also helped launch the How She Got There section, where she interviewed inspiring women in various industries. She lives in New York City.