Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Ruffin.
Hi Nancy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
So much of my story and how I got to where I’m at today is due largely in part to my love of storytelling. I am a healthcare business professional by trade, but I am a creative at heart (to be more specific, I am a writer). I have been writing and telling stories since childhood and I believe that my love for words and storytelling has fueled my passion for helping women write and re-write their own narrative; helping them understand that they don’t simply have to settle for what the world is willing to give them, but that they at any time, can sit in the driver’s seat of their lives and change the direction they’re going. Whether it’s through my books, my podcast, my coaching/educational services all of it is built upon me sharing my story, experience and skills.
The first time I truly understood the power of storytelling was when I shared my miscarriage experience and how difficult my motherhood journey had been. I first wrote about in my book Welcome to Heartbreak and the feedback I received from other women who had experienced the same thing was unimaginable. It was at that moment I realized the power of words. My story helped other women feel seen. It made them feel a little less alone because here was someone who had gone through the very same thing they’d gone through.
Since then, I’ve used my gift of words and storytelling to connect with other women and help them get through their own difficult moments. I never thought my writing would create so many opportunities for me, but it has. My podcast, the speaking opportunities I get hired for, the panels I speak on, all of it has been because I have used my God-given gift with words to serve others. In the end, that’s what it’s all about, helping others.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There are always obstacles and challenges when you’re pursuing a dream. I think for me (as with many small businesses, the biggest struggle has been financing and scaling the business. Finding the right investors can be challenging especially if your vision differs from theirs. That’s why it’s important to find partners who don’t just believe in you but also believe in and support your vision.
We’ve been impressed with The Success Academy & The Woman of Faith Podcast, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
For the past 20 years, I have worked with and coached thousands of women who find themselves at a crossroads and are seeking guidance on identifying what’s next; women who have found career success, have a portfolio of achievements, have checked off every box and still feel like something is missing. Whether it’s making a career pivot, transitioning to work that matters, or starting that small business I am passionate about helping women elevate their skills, eliminate limiting beliefs and tackle imposter syndrome in order to live more meaningful and fulfilled lives. What separates me from other coaches is that all my work is centered around God. I’m a faith-based coach who understands that God has created each of us for a specific purpose and I work with women who are ready to discover what their God-given purpose is.
Whether we realize it or not, we were created to do so much more. We all have been equipped with gifts and talents that can significantly impact and influence another individual. Consider the expertise you have in the jobs you’ve worked, whether it’s banking, sales, healthcare, cooking, painting, writing, education, fundraising, etc. you have knowledge, abilities, and skills that can change the lives of others if you would only share them. My purpose is to help women identify the more they’ve been created for.
In 2014, tired of attending women empowerment events that fell short on their mission to support, empower, and inspire women, I took the legal steps to formally establish The FIERCE Woman Collective as an LLC in an effort to fill that void. I wanted to create an organization that not only supported and empowered women but was also committed to their development and growth. Fast forward eight years later, I am the producer and host of The Woman of Faith Podcast, a weekly podcast for the woman who wants to tap into her spiritual gifts & use them to elevate her faith, business & life. Additionally, I recently launched The Success Academy, an online education and coaching platform designed to help high achieving woman accelerate the professional and personal lives.
I am a firm believer in the West African concept of sankofa. Sankofa is an Akan term that literally means “to go back and get it.” Loosely interpreted, sankofa’s principle is simple, as we rise and excel, it is our responsibility to reach back and help others. That is the principal that all my work is founded upon. It’s my way of reaching back. My goal is to empower, support, and connect women globally so that we can learn from, grow, and build with each other. The present is female.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t believe in luck. I believe in God. And because I believe in God, I know that everything that has happened to me (whether good or bad) has happened for me. It’s all a part of God’s divine plan for my life and business.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.iamnancyruffin.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/iamnancyruffin
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/iamnancyruffin
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/iamnancyruffin
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/nancyruffin
- Other: https://thenancyruffinsuccessacademy.teachable.com/
