About... Ruby Chasm's History Molly The History of Ruby Chasm Ruby Chasm began in 1987 as my answer to right livelihood. My goal was to provide women with a place to honor their strength and intuition, to reward themselves with beautiful objects that symbolized their personal and spiritual goals, altarware , if you will. The shop began in my home and that allowed me to steward my young sons towards becoming conscious men while building my tiny business. A friend loaned me two thousand dollars as start up capitol and I was able to pay him back quickly. One very thrilling memory was receiving his check in the mail with no contract of repayment to sign, only a handful of wild flower seeds. After 2 1/2 years at home, so many people were stopping in that the city fined me and at the same time, encouraged me to move out into the world. I had recently caught scent of a location that truly felt like home and where we are still located to this day...in the Farmer's Union Marketplace. I had begun strolling by its big windows and gazing wistfully at its plank floors and basically simply fell in love with that old farm building! I've really been enjoying building our unique inventory, meeting incredible customers and suppliers and sharing life process with everyone. Sometimes it's a struggle to stay small and debt free. I managed to grow my business while going through a divorce and becoming a singe parent of two teenage guys so there were times I simply couldn't really smile, and be perky. I had to tighten my belt and fly by the seat of my pants. Ruby Chasm has been my anchor, my savioress as I navigated single parenting and right livelihood. and tried to provide people facing change with a temple to affirm themselves, stay centered and keep moving towards growth. As I enter my 13th year, I feel deep appreciation for Ruby Chasm and all the people who have graced her over the years: Adventurous travelers who bring in exotic goods, young mothers seeking inspiration, great men buying gifts for their women friends, people starting to explore meditation. All of us navigating transitions, moving towards spirit. What form does that take in your life? Molly I was born in 1954, a mile outside of Washington D.C. When I was 15, my father died and that began my quest for spiritual depth. I have enjoyed working hard doing untypical things: tree planting, trout farming, demolition, dancing, digging gravity-flow waterlines, picking fruit, parenting, planting a vineyard, owning my own places since I was 22, and now finding myself facing the empty nest. Ruby Chasm, my attempt at Right Livelihood has grown over the past 12 years and puts food on my table, and in my soul. I am just beginning a new interest in sighthounds from Egypt and Africa. I can tell it will develop into excellent adventures and a life long love. I enjoy hiking and gardening and my incredible array of zany customers and suppliers.