Welcome, this is the story behind The Ruth Society.

Hi friend, if you have found yourself reading this, then welcome! My name is Shelbi, and this is my blog that will follow my journey as a 22-year-old new business owner and entrepreneur. Whatever that means, lol!! Last year I graduated college with a bachelor’s in corporate communication and a minor in graphic design. Plot twist! About 4 months before I graduated, I decided corporate life just wasn’t what I was called to do. I was born creative. Art has always been close to my heart. So here I am with The Ruth Society (a design studio), but the original inspiration might not be quite what you would have thought. 

What Inspired A Faith-Based Design Studio?

Approaching faith with business could be shaky ground, but a good challenge has never scared me. Really, when I thought of creating a business, my main goal was to be authentically myself, and truly, I don’t get to be who I am without God. 

With that idea, here enters the said faith-based design studio. The Ruth Society.

Truth be told, The Ruth Society wasn’t originally meant to be a design studio. In February of 2025, I had taken to the trend of hand-embroidering a sweatshirt. Alongside that, I was doing pattern work in my graphic design class, and of course, my best friend and I have had countless conversations about a boutique + coffee shop, as any two friends should. 

With that being said, ideas started flowing; the possibility of starting a creative business in some capacity seemed very possible. While I didn’t know that the boutique/fashion brand idea would be within reach, starting out, the idea had shifted my perspective on a 9-5, while also letting the idea of having some sort of design business that could then branch into fashion later. 

So here I am, 22 years old, chasing dreams, and sharing my creativity in any way that it flows out of me.

My biggest hope and prayer is that it can be more than that. More communal, supportive, life-giving. I hope that at some point it turns into a business with more to offer than a face through a screen, simple graphic or website. 

So where did this name come from? (A question I’ve been asked a lot.)

While reading Ruth, I found myself reflecting deeply on my virtues and responsibilities as a young woman in her early twenties. My desire to grow into the woman God wants me to be, and the kind of woman suited for the lifestyle I aspire to live has become very important to me. This especially includes how I approach marriage and how I nurture friendships with the amazing women in my life, as well as those I have yet to meet. (Thank you, Jesus; I needed that reminder.) 

Ruth held a quality that I hold near and dear to my heart, especially in friendships among women: loyalty, and in Ruth’s case, it was not exactly expected. In my young adult life I have made it quite the goal to care for and steward my friendships much more gracefully than I had in the past. Honestly, I feel as though that should make “The Ruth Society” make perfect sense, but let’s take it a step further. The scene floating through my mind when I dreamed up “The Ruth Society” was one where anyone walked into a cozy yet spacious place, and as they roamed, each and every person of any style, spice, or flavor could find something they felt drawn to. A carefully picked and crafted item of some kind that they would cherish. Something for the edgy and something for the girly. An item suitable for the girl who adores pink, as well as for the girl who prefers yellow or green.

Yes, I know that seems unachievable, or maybe something that could only happen in a dream, but God doesn’t exist in a box, and neither should the way we approach each other.

How The Creation Story Makes Designing More Sacred

So, with all that being said, let’s tie this back to God. This year, I have struggled for several months to understand the differences in people’s beauty and how society measures it. I became convinced that if I looked at any one person long enough, they would quickly become just as similar to any other person. Considering God made us all, that idea doesn’t seem too far off. 

The measure of physical beauty is highly influenced and is far from accurate. There’s truly only a measure of the heart. 

Still, we haven’t touched on how the creation story, or God’s creation, and what makes design truly sacred. 

So let’s do it. 

If you scan your mind for the mere vast amount of examples of life that have everything they need in their environment pertaining to their biological makeup, it is actually very mesmerizing. This is a phenomenon that you can trace from plants to animals to humans, from land to sea to shore. Life flows seamlessly, beautifully, and without flaw biologically. How intricate. Delicate. Focused. Intelligent. 

Then compare that to the fast fashion, AI-generated art, copycat culture, mass marketing scams, and mumbo jumbo “creation” we see and experience. Every. Single. Day in the world we live in. No appreciation for delicate and thoughtful work but rather overwhelmed with this idea that speed can meet quality and thoughtfulness on the same level. 

A big hoax. Intention is what makes something beautiful. Just like God’s intention behind our creation is the literal reason we are valuable. The intention is relationship. 

Relationships are built… over time. The opposite of mass-scale, speed, and lack for appreciation or thought.

What’s the plan from here?

Moving forward, my goal is to nurture The Ruth Society into a space where creativity and faith intertwine seamlessly. I want to build a community that supports and uplifts women. Where each person feels seen, valued, and inspired to express their unique story through design. This means focusing on thoughtful and intentional work that honors the sacredness of creation while pushing against the trend of fast and impersonal production.

I plan to explore collaborations and expand our offerings beyond design to include lifestyle elements that resonate with the values of loyalty, grace, and authenticity. Whether that means launching fashion pieces, hosting workshops, or creating a physical space for connection, I’m excited to see where this journey leads.

Above all, I want The Ruth Society to be a reflection of what it means to live a life chasing after God, where faith and creativity don’t just coexist but thrive together, where not only the ups are important but so are the downs.

No sugar coating.