This month’s member spotlight is a feature on Ruth Steinmetz (she/her)! Ruth has been a resident of Vermont for 14 years and is based in Winooski. She works across retail, interior design, and advocacy.
Ruth is the owner of Steinmetz Realty and Interiors and Dwellness by Steinmetz. To learn more about her work, visit steinmetz-vt.com or connect with her on Instagram at @steinmetzinteriors and @dwellness_vt.
Tell us a bit about your background before arriving in VT and what brought you to the state.
I came to the United States as an international student and joined my family in the state of Georgia. We moved to Vermont when my stepdad got a job here and settled in Winooski. I went to Champlain College to complete my studies, earning a Master’s Degree in Emergent Media.
Why are you a member of the Vermont Professionals of Color Network?
I joined the network to get to know other people of color in my area and grow my personal and professional relationships.
What aspects of life in VT do you find most fulfilling? What about your professional life here stands out to you?
I enjoy the tight knit community and how easy it is to make connections because we all somehow know each other or are 1-3 degrees apart within the ecosystem. I also enjoy how green and nature-focused Vermont is. It is a safe space to raise my family and I can find help when I need it.
It has been relatively easy to pivot in my career and find a supportive community within the new industry once I was determined to do so.
Looking back, what advice would you have appreciated receiving about being a professional of color in VT before you arrived?
I would have told myself to make more friends, seek professional networks and mentors early, get out of my comfort zone and find more ways to be outgoing, especially in the winter months.
What are some challenges that you’ve faced on a professional level since living in VT?
It is hard to be known for something different; people stereotype and have limited beliefs of what you can do and offer professionally. Social networks can be cliquey and hard to penetrate, which can limit opportunities. So much here depends on who you know.
Can you share any strategies or resources that have helped you overcome these challenges?
Being proactive in sharing my skills online through social media, joining professional networks and attending events. It is also important to practice patience, and focus on steady and sustainable growth. Nothing great happens overnight.
Tell us about the work you’re currently doing and what drives you in your profession!
I recently opened a gifts, homegoods and lifestyle store in Winooski with my partner to complement our real estate and interior design businesses. I’m driven by the desire to curate and create meaningful and beautiful spaces to live and work. This fast paced life can strip us of softness, warmth and moments of rejuvenation. I believe my work and the things I offer at our store can help revive and restore that.
I also consult with the City of Winooski on Inclusive Economies for New Americans. We have much to offer if Vermont made more effort to welcome, include and involve us.
What future opportunities do you see for your industry, particularly in the context of the state?
I think there can be more focus on sustainability, slow living and embracing innovative ways to keep construction and remodeling costs more affordable.
In your opinion, how can VT better support its BIPOC residents, both professionally and personally?
There is a growing pandemic of loneliness and isolation. And Vermont’s harsh winters only make it worse. This affects all Vermonters but our BIPOC and folk with disabilities are hit hardest. The state can address the well-documented reasons why folks leave; it can do more to attract more BIPOC people to both move and stay here. This includes creating more third space opportunities, making it cheaper to raise families, improving public transportation options to make the state more connected and addressing the various issues around workforce development. It can also do so much more to help small businesses thrive.
Are there other things (events/opportunities/jobs/etc) you’d like to share with the VT BIPOC community?
Ruth is interested in opening up their space for community gatherings and is considering starting a book club or a crafting circle. If that sparks your interest, reach out!
How do you balance your professional life with personal interests and self-care?
I’ve learnt to say no or not now, be intentional about finding my purpose and where I fit in in my community and embraced a slower pace of doing things.
