Today we’d like to introduce you to Ronald Pruitt.
Ronald, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My journey has been a quest to marry two concepts, the desire to work in technology and the desire to contribute to something large than myself, to the greater good. I accomplished the first goal in my last year in the Auburn University MBA program. At that time, the Internet was just becoming commercialized and the technology fascinated me. I made a conscious decision I was only going to take a job that related to the Internet. I was lucky enough to get a job with a web design company in Atlanta after graduation. I taught myself programming and learned a lot over the years there and later at a larger corporation doing similar work. While I was enjoying working in technology something was missing. I was unfulfilled. Some of that feeling was commuting in the Atlanta traffic and just being part of the corporate machine. I wanted to do something more meaningful.
With support from my wonderful wife, I left my corporate job and started doing consulting work for mission-driven organizations. One of my first projects was to build a website for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, which is headquartered in Midtown Atlanta. The website was called “Career Launch” and helped teens learn about careers and the education they needed to acquire those careers. The project was a joy. I loved the idea that you could build a website that would do good for the community and I loved collaborating with people making a difference.
Soon into these consulting projects I started getting questions from nonprofits about accepting donations through their website or selling event tickets online. I built a web platform to allow them to do that. That was the birth of 4aGoodCause and where I am today 20 years later.
I am very lucky to do what I do. I was even able to leave behind the Atlanta commute. I run a virtual business, working from home with the ability to be at the door when my kids come home from school.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I have been fortunate that my business has always been well-received, but running a business is always a challenge. In the early days of this business I was too scattered, trying to do too many things for our clients: web design, consulting, e-commerce, product development – anything Internet related. This business hit its groove once I decided to focus on what I enjoyed doing the most and where I could make the biggest impact for our clients. That focus was on e-commerce- helping the nonprofits we work with raise money online.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
4aGoodCause is a simple and affordable fundraising platform for small to midsize nonprofits. Nonprofits use our software to take online donations, sell event tickets and registration, accept memberships and conduct crowdfunding or peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns.
What sets our business apart from others is ease-of-use, affordability and customer service. Nonprofits love using our software, love that they keep more of what they raise and love that we are truly a partner in supporting their missions.
I’m very proud to say we’ve reached an important milestone this year. This is our 20th year of business. During those 20 years, we have processed millions of dollars in online donations for our clients and have had the opportunity to work with some incredible individuals making a difference in their local communities. We look forward to the next 20 years.
What were you like growing up?
I was an active kid and many of my favorite memories involve myself on a bike. I absolutely loved riding my 10-speed long distances to visit middle school friends in the next town, imagining myself as Greg Lemond winning the Tour de France.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.4agoodcause.com
- Phone: 770 517 5962
- Email: info@4agoodcause.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4aGoodCause
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/4aGC
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