Today we’d like to introduce you to Anne Rutt.
Hi Anne, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My husband Edson and I met in 2006. He was selling Limbo Jewelry in the art market outside of Vespaio Italian Restaurant, where I was waiting tables. We began working together on growing the brand in 2011 mostly through word of mouth, art markets and a lot of hard work. In 2011 we opened our first little shop where the Antone’s gift shop now lives. This was the perfect place to put systems into place when we landed our first store on SoCO in 2013. From 2013 to 2020, we opened five brick and mortars, acquired a succulent business, a manufacturing studio with six jewelry benches and wholesale accounts across the country. Our three brands Limbo Jewelry, Triple Z Threadz and Little Limbo were thriving.
In March of 2020, Limbo was awarded the “Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation of the Year” by The Austin Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Then the bottom dropped out. One week we were accepting this incredible award and the next we had to lay off all 35 of our employees, including ourselves. We, like most small business owners, were fearful that we might not make it. We lost four of our five locations. We feel like after working hard to rebuild and survive since reopening in May 2020, we are fortunate to land our new location at 1708 South Congress. After this past year of hardship and uncertainty, we had the opportunity to do so in a way that unifies our three brands (Limbo, Triple Z Threadz and Little Limbo) under one roof.
While quarantining in Spring of 2020, Edson and I had a minute to catch our breath, reassess and reflect on what we truly want from life and that didn’t include a 50+ work week. I didn’t know how much I normalized being overworked and unhappy.
We became foster parents again in fall of 2020 and it was the best decision we have made.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We worked our asses off for years. But still, Summers full of art festivals every weekend and not having one day off from Black Friday until Christmas for a decade was still easier than managing people and all the complexities that come with being human. I exhausted myself and didn’t serve the company always trying to meet everyone’s needs and trying to keep everyone happy and fulfilled at our workplace. Sometimes you just can’t and that is ok.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are SoCo OG’s and as the avenue continues to change, we are starting to feel like survivors. It is important now more than ever to shop local and shop small. Developments like Music Lane are killing small business on the street by raising costs for us all. How are we supposed to compete with large corporations with deep pockets? And do they care for our community?
We are rooted in giving back to the community and providing products with as little impact to the environment as possible. Triple Z Threadz embroidered shirts are upcycled and Limbo Jewelry is made from 85% recycled metals. Each piece is still designed by my husband and handmade in our studio in South Austin.
Our 2 locations (Domain Northside) and 1708 South Congress feature and support over 85 local artists and small independent businesses.
What matters most to you?
Right now: balance and time with my family and friends.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.LimboJewelry.com; www.TripleZThreadz.com
- Instagram: @LimboJewelry @TripleZThreadz
