Leading Women: Reese Fernandez Ruiz

Reese Fernandez Ruiz discusses the 11-year journey of Rags2Riches, a company founded to provide sustainable solutions to social problems. She explains how the company partnered with women artisans in Payatas, who were earning only 12-16 pesos a day from weaving foot rugs. The mission is to provide opportunities for community artisans who lack access due to background or education, ensuring long-term livelihood and commitment through a business model.

Reese reflects on the emotional journey of Rags2Riches, describing it as beautiful, painful, and inspiring. She highlights the challenge of maintaining momentum after the initial hype subsided, necessitating constant innovation and refreshing the brand to ensure continuous livelihood for artisans. Reese emphasizes that the work is not just about the business, but a whole advocacy taking care of the future of many people.

Reese proudly displays some of Rags2Riches' bags, including the 'Puso' and 'Casey' bags. She explains the intentional design process, utilizing leftover materials from previous collections. She emphasizes that the products are made by community artisans, proudly stating that even men contribute to the craftsmanship. Each bag includes a card with the story of Rags2Riches and the signature of the artisan who made it, highlighting the personal touch and empowering the artisans.

Reese shares how her family, particularly her mother's missionary work, influenced her early exposure to societal realities and the disparities in opportunity. This upbringing instilled in her a belief that opportunities should be available to everyone, regardless of background. She discusses her college years studying business management at Ateneo and how involvement in volunteer organizations shaped her understanding that her dreams could extend beyond herself to serve a larger community.

Reese discusses her relationship with her husband, Mark, who is also her co-founder. Despite different leadership styles that initially led to clashes, they learned to appreciate their differences, recognizing that they complement each other to create a holistic vision. She also talks about how becoming a mother has deepened her understanding and empathy for the artisan mothers she works with. The concerns of the artisan's children now resonate on a much more personal and profound level.

Reese introduces "Things That Matter," a platform she started in late 2017 to support other social enterprises and brands with causes. Recognizing the struggles of working alone, the platform provides a venue for selling locally produced goods and shares the experiences and lessons learned from Rags2Riches. She showcases various brand partners like Fiesta Pieza (accessories from out-of-school youth), Tayo (supporting trafficking survivors), Sasutunawa (working with the T'boli tribe), and other sustainable and ethical brands.

Reese outlines her future vision for Rags2Riches, focusing on continued innovation and providing long-term livelihood opportunities for artisans. For "Things That Matter," she aims to onboard more brands, emphasizing the importance of a platform where people can shop meaningfully. She expresses optimism for the youth, highlighting their access to information, engagement in political discourse, and commitment to making a positive impact on the world, calling them a privileged and responsible generation.