Walking down Fourth Avenue in Olympia, take notice of the nondescript doorway tucked between a few local businesses in the historic Chamber’s Block building. Through these doors, and up the stairs, is where you will discover a hidden gem, Flourish in Olympia. Created by Ruth Moss, Flourish was brought to fruition through the efforts and dreams of many people, gathering with likeminded ideas, creativity, and community values.
As I sit down with Ruth, I’m in awe of the abundance of natural light in the building coming from the many skylights, unusual for most of downtown Olympia spaces. “It’s really one of the only buildings downtown that has been completely renovated. An architect used to have the space,” she tells me. Exposed brick reveals the true age, but adds to the character. We sit in the modern, yet comfortable, conference room, which is a community area for all the people working in the building.
Flourish in Olympia has been a dream of Ruth’s for a long time and finally started to come together in the last six months. It was more than two years ago when she first leased the large studio space in the building for her own business, Full Circle, which provides therapeutic services. She tells me she used to be on the east side of town, but after seeing changes happening downtown she wasn’t fond of, she made the decision to move. “A lot of things have disappeared that I really found inspiring. So now that I am a business owner I have the ability to affect change.” With the move, she says it was a commitment for her to stay in the area for the long haul. “Olympia is to me one of the best small towns I have ever lived in, to start a small business. I feel like that part of us is very supportive,” Ruth says.
Ruth wants to inspire and encourage other entrepreneurs. She approached the landlord with her vision. “He likes what I’m trying to do so he gave me the opportunity to try and see if I can assemble a team,” Ruth says describing how she is helping lease the spaces in the building to different entrepreneurs. It works out great for everyone because no one business has the huge overhead and you have the support of each other. “That’s what I really feel is a valuable asset here,” she continues. “You have professional space and you can have more resources at your disposal then if you were alone.”
Currently, Ruth occupies two offices with her own business and offers something out of the normal to others. Different types of therapists can rent her personal spaces by the hour depending on the needs of their clientele. “It’s more about the interacting and the engagement then it is about the particular ins and outs of the business.” A group of local successful fashion designers, including BubbleGunk, rent another workspace collectively. And Get Outside Olympia, a company taking kids on outside adventures after school, is also now located in the building.
As for the original studio space, it’s almost like the heart of Flourish in Olympia because it lends itself to such a wide variety of activities. Ruth rents it on an hourly basis for yoga, meditation, art classes, and much more. “My main goal right now is to try and get the community aware that we’re here and have a lot of offerings. I would like to create a space where I’m helping people with the skills that it took me so long to learn,” she says adding that it’s a great way to try a new business part-time without spending a lot of money.
Flourish in Olympia isn’t just about business, Ruth says it’s a community she’s looking to develop. “We’re all so busy doing our own thing that it’s hard to get to know somebody, it’s hard to develop a friendship. I feel like we’re all these busy bees, but where’s the beehive?” She sees Flourish in Olympia as the beehive where people can grow and learn.
With a background in art, Ruth knows the importance of the arts and wants to help revive that scene in downtown Olympia. “I feel like this is kind of my opus of bringing all of my talents and skills together, doing something really positive for the downtown community. It’s a secret goal of mine to really be working with an awesome group of people and doing things that matter.”
Ruth is determined to bring First Fridays back to downtown Olympia. She is already showcasing various artists in her space and has held her own successful First Friday event. “I feel like it happens as soon as we say it does. This is my way of affecting change locally and not just in a political way, but an economic way that’s infusing our arts and culture scene. That’s the health of the community for me, in my mind. I just may be another Evergreen student that ended up staying, and I’m trying to create reasons to justify that now.”
Whatever the reason, Olympia should be glad Ruth Moss has stayed and is willing to give her all for a community she believes in. “Now that I’ve created a business that’s stable, I can reach out and really be who I want to be and thrive. Flourish in Olympia is kind of like a manifesto. Let’s now Flourish in Olympia. What can we do to help each other Flourish?”
If you would like to learn more about Flourish in Olympia, follow them on Facebook or visit their website where you can find information on upcoming classes, events, and art shows.
