Molly grew up nearby in Germantown and graduated from Greene Street Friends School. Her first job was at a video library located where Mi Puebla is now. She worked as a social worker in Philly, New York and Oakland, CA before experiencing burnout and leaving the profession. When she moved back to Mt. Airy, she wanted to create something here in the neighborhood that would have a positive impact on the community. 

“I love beautiful things and when I was thinking about what I have to offer, I thought about the handmade, the beautiful, the unique.”

Molly spent lots of time sourcing product for the store she opened, Ruby Mountain Goods, and met with other shop owners in the neighborhood for advice. She also took part in a winter cohort of the PhillyiHub:

“PhillyiHub provided all the basics of opening a business. I really liked the cohort of aspiring entrepreneurs–it was so inspiring to hear people excited about their businesses. They were all at different stages of their planning, and it was really motivating and fun to learn from each other.”

The most helpful aspects for Molly were the free legal counseling to get her LLC paperwork completed, and the one-on-one mentor she had access to through the business navigator:

“I came with a jumble of ideas, and my mentor helped point me in the right direction. She met me where I was, and held me accountable with check-ins every 2 weeks so I could get things done.”

As for Ruby Mountain, Molly says she wants it to be a space where people can find beautiful things and can connect with one another in community. She loves seeking out unique products and bringing them greater exposure – like a soap maker in Germantown who had never been in a store before but has an amazing product. She loves holding events and has found that customers are really hungry for in-person events following the pandemic. She hopes to hold workshops, happy hour and pop ups in the future. 

“It feels really good to make something,” she says.

Back to Positive Impact