Today’s Meet a Mom is a Montgomery native that I have been hoping to get a chance to feature since launching my website – Tara Austin is a local mama to 3 boys and the mama behind the super successful clothing line – Ruthie Grace. If you aren’t familiar with this local clothing line – go NOW and check out their Instagram page and start shopping! I found this clothing line quickly after moving out this way and love waiting to see the clothes they drop each week. And, now that I know a mama is behind the biz, I love supporting this clothing brand over the big name brands even more 🤍. Tara stared Ruthie Grace in 2011 in a very small store-front in historic Montgomery before online shopping is what it is today – now it’s become a mega operation with a larger store location off Hwy 105 in Montgomery + a big warehouse for their online operation and corporate office.
Check out her Meet a Mom interview below to learn more about the inspiration behind Ruthie Grace, Tara’s dreams for her business, and of course, all things mom life!
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in the North Houston area?
I’m a Montgomery native and been here for 25 years.
How many kiddos do you have and how old are they?
3 boys! Our house is LOUD to say the least. 7, 4, and 10 months.
Least favorite mom job? (i.e. packing lunches, dishes, bath time, etc.)
Laundry.
What are your favorite local things to do? (with kiddos or just for mom!)
I love going out to eat Mexican food. We eat at El Bosque every Friday night! With our boys, we just love to be outside whether it’s playing with friends, riding bikes in our neighborhood, or out at my parent’s property.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
I wish I could go back to college and get another degree. I love to learn. Preferably it would be something in the medical/nutritional field that has to do with functional medicine.
What’s the best mom advice you have ever been given (or your own advice to any new mamas out there)?
My advice sounds kinda harsh but here it goes, everyday you will get something wrong. You will make mistakes. You’ll try something new then change your mind. The sooner you accept that motherhood isn’t black and white but everything gray, the better your journey will be!
Tell us about your business Ruthie Grace! When did you open the business & what do you sell?
I opened Ruthie Grace in 2011 in a small little 900 sq ft building in Historic Montgomery. We sell women’s clothing and accessories.
I love to know the story behind business names, who is Ruthie Grace and why this name for your business?
Ruthie Grace is a combo of family names. Ruth is my paternal grandmother’s middle name and also my sister’s middle name. Grace is my maternal mother’s middle name and also my middle name. This business is built to be a legacy to our children, so I started with a legacy of names.
What was the inspiration behind opening a fashion line & how has the business evolved over the years?
I have always loved clothes. But more importantly, I just love people. I love their stories, hearing about the lives, and building relationships with them. When I opened in 2011, shopping was only happening at the mall and Forever21 was at its prime. I wanted a small shopping atmosphere that met women where they were in the daily lives married with the convenience of a local store- front. That initial opening has evolved in a mega operation! We have a storefront plus a big warehouse that houses our online store plus corporate offices.
Have you always been entrepreneurial? What did you do before starting your own biz?
Ruthie Grace was my first and has been my only business. I have always been a leader more than an entrepreneur. Without even realizing it, I put myself in leadership positions by default. I think that’s why I thrive as an entrepreneur.
Do you have any other business or creative endeavors? Please share!
Yes, but it’s still under wraps. Let’s just say we have some new things coming soon!
What are your future plans and dreams for Ruthie Grace?
Bigger plans are in the works so I can’t fully disclose that yet. But dreams— my dream is to make a huge impact in our community in regards to our local 
community but also in regards to the people we employ. I want to make an impact in people’s lives.
To learn more and shop Ruthie Grace:
Website: https://shopruthiegrace.com/
Instagram: @shopruthiegrace
Store Location: 15556 Summit Park Dr, Montgomery, TX 77356