Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruth Calvert.
Hi Ruth, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Such a fun story! I actually started sewing out of a bedroom in my house. I started creating things for my own wedding and then friends and family. Through that, I saw some needs and a business that I thought I could build moving forward. It was a business and an idea that gave me flexibility to create my own destiny. After college and marriage, I was working a corporate job that felt empty and had no purpose. I wanted my life to be more fulfilling than that. I felt like this was a business that had not really been prioritized by many people.
After years of doing this by myself, not really having a definite direction, my daughter, Rylee graduated college and we decided to go into this business and start expanding together. Rylee’s life experience was very similar, coming from a corporate job and seeing a need in this business and opportunities to expand. With a new vision and passion, we set forth on a new powerful mission. The two of us together became a dynamic team bringing experience and young tech/vision together. We started networking forming relationships and finding our niche in this bridal world and tailoring world. It was the combination of both of us that evolved the business into what it is today. With the expansion came SO many more additions to our team, including my husband Rodney who oversees everything from the building construction to our everyday behind-the-scenes business needs, and now my son Reece has come in to oversee production and inventory. We are so proud that our business is not only able to support our families but now 25 team members as well. The business has far exceeded our expectations and wildest dreams.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not! Ha! Building a business is always challenging. Growing a business through different seasons of life is also a struggle. When I started, I was a young married 20-something and now I am an almost 60-year-old woman with three amazing kids and two grandkids. Maintaining a reputable business and building your family are both major feats. Now add in trying not to lose yourself in the process, it can be quite challenging, BUT so rewarding!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Our business is bridal alterations and customizations. We strictly specialize in wedding gowns and work as an extension of our bridal partner stores! We LOVE that our business has become known for amazing customer service and a level of expertise that is hard to come by in the tailoring world, especially bridal. We work closely with over 15 bridal stores in Dallas to help serve not just their brides but the stores as well. We LOVE getting to network with all of our stores and designers to offer a quality service that is far above the previous offerings for wedding gown tailors. Our brand is known for being a luxury offering and an all-inclusive service. We believe that in order to be truly great at something you need to specialize and focus on one major offering– Bridal alterations. As an extension to this offering we also specialize in vintage restorations. This extension is a bit of a passion project for us as I wore my moms wedding gown and then my daughter Rylee also wore the same gown. We love getting to help Brides and moms connect through an heirloom piece and create a treasured garment that enables new memories to be made. We are truly honored to be able to work on our clients wedding gowns and we love getting to be a part of magical memories for our clients.
As a brand, we are the most proud of being able to stay a family-owned business. We believe it a huge privilege and honor to be able to build a business that stands behind family values. We are also incredibly proud to be teaching and growing a workforce of which is majority woman-based. We love being able to bring in the next generation of employees and family to learn a dying art and a beautiful talent. We have an amazing team of 25 individuals, including our fantastic general manager, Juli Hernandez. Even our youngest member of the team, my granddaughter Rae 5 years old, is learning to greet clients and make sure our brides feel loved and seen! That trait is something that extends beyond the store and this business. We are trying to build a culture of kindness that extends beyond the doors of the business with both our family and team.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory would have to be making clothes for my Barbie dolls with my grandmother. I would spend hours taking scarves and scrap pieces of fabric, styling and designing clothes for my Barbies. I would also cut out clothes and dolls from magazines to make my own paper dolls. Such fond memories.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.alteredforthealtar.com
- Instagram: @alteredforthealtar
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/alteredforthealtar
Image Credits
Huey Family Photography
