WOMEN W HO RO CK THE RO CK IES “I was very busy and looking for opportunities to sell at farmers markets and through the art show circuit in Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona while living the gypsy lifestyle out of my car. In the back of my mind though, I couldn’t give up the idea of having a clothing boutique. The problem was I didn’t have the means or I couldn’t find a great spot in Summit County to start something up. It was through serendipity that I found the perfect opportunity in Avon.” A fair sized but manageable space opened up in The Annex at 142 Beaver Creek Place and became the first Valley Girl Boutique, lovingly named for the women of the Vail Valley who began shopping there. “The name was perfect and attracted Vail Valley locals as well as tourists. I wanted to create a store that really appealed to people who lived in the
pieces through sales in my store. I bring a wide variety of jewelry from different artists and try to find unique things to create an appealing selection.” Ruby Jane was created to move away from the Valleygirl concept as Valleygirl Boutique was really intended more for the women of the Vail Valley. “I was excited about growing Ruby Jane as a new concept and include home decor, wedding gifts, a baby section, more shoes, and jewelry. Clothing, of course, is still the anchor but the selection is different from Valleygirl’s offerings. I also really wanted to bring Ruby Jane to more mountain towns. I was very careful in selecting opportunities that made sense for our business model. The Old Bay Street shop space and the building became available in Breckenridge. This really allowed me to branch out and take
Sandy Helt Making Fashion Affordable and Available to Women in Colorado’s Mountains and Beyond By Holly Resignolo
area first and bring affordable fashionable wear to mountain town communities because there was really no place to find stylish clothing at moderate price points. I have always loved being a mountain girl, but I wanted to be a stylie mountain girl.” It all started as a one-woman show when the first store opened in 2007 at the Avon location, and it was not all fun and fabulous. It was a bit more rough and tumble as Sandy broke her ankle two weeks before she opened, but she persevered and opened a second store a year later in Breckenridge. During that time Sandy still had her jewelry business but said, “it was challenging to keep up with both the business and produce my jewelry line. I still needed jewelry but after a few years, I relinquished that love and began supporting other artists who were creating unique
Ruby Jane from concept to reality. Another opportunity opened up in Denver Highlands and my sister was living in the area. This allowed us to expand in the Front Range.” “We are a family run business, myself, my husband, my sister, my motherin-law, my niece and sister-in-law have all been involved and still are. Throughout all of this, I was having children. I had my daughter Lila about a year after I open the Breckenridge store. She turned 1 when I opened up the Aspen store. Being a working mom has its challenges, I had my second daughter two years later and have always brought them to Market with me. I stay involved. Right now I am helping lead two girl scout troops with my girls. I want to do more with the community and the kids. I am very com-
mitted to keeping up with my children and being the best mom I can.” “One of my favorite parts of operating Valleygirl and RubyJane is attending the markets. Buying trips are so fun. I love going to Market seeing what’s new, meeting the designers, checking out new brands, labels, and new lines. I’m always trying to find something different, things that catch my eye. I try to shop at the market as an individual would shop at any of my stores.” “I have an amazing management team and I also love working in the stores. Each town, each store has its own identity. I love visiting each store, experiencing their differences and connecting with all of my staff. I am always waiting for perfect shop spaces to open and be ready to jump when I find the next right space.” Boulder had been in Sandy’s mind’s eye for a long while and when space recently became available she took the time to negotiate the rate to continue the expansion of her family run business. Sandy’s newest focus is on her online store RubyJane.com. It is a new venture that will allow the ladies who loved Valleygirl and Ruby Jane while visiting Colorado to continue to connect with the stores and our mountain town vibe. Sandy Helt’s entrepreneurial vision has helped bring jobs to women who love living in Colorado’s mountain town communities as well as affordable clothing to both the fashionistas and us rough and tumble girls too. Economically each town has benefited from the sales revenues she generates. Sandy is a powerhouse, albeit a humble powerhouse. You would never know what an asset she has been to all of Colorado’s mountain communities during a casual conversation. This girl is truly a Woman Who Rocks the Rockies. Today you can find Valleygirl Boutique in Avon, Breckenridge, and Edwards. Ruby Jane has locations in Denver Highlands, Steamboat Springs, and her new Boulder location. You will find Sandy visiting each one of her locations and continuing her smart growth long into the future. www.rubyjane.com
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