Today we’d like to introduce you to A Ruth Proctor
Hi A Ruth, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
A. Ruth Proctor is a serial entrepreneur, mom, and survivor. Placed in Foster care at the tender age of 6, she was forced to make mature life adjustments. Through a series of devastating events, including molestation, domestic violence, and infidelity, she developed tenacity, perseverance, and a toolkit of survival skills that she shares with others. It is her love of helping others that saved her life.
Fashion, Art, and Music have always been her passion, stirred by her natural parents infinite appetite for the arts. Proctor says, “I remember my father would take me from store to store while he sang songs like Otis Redding’s, “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay” and crowds would gather. My mom is a gifted fashion illustrator, singer, and songwriter. She was always placing me in talent shows where I would sing, model, and act. One of my fondest memories of my mother is watching her sketch design after design. I began signing before I could read and write.”
Music has been a haven for Proctor, holding her during her years in foster care. While her journey has been long and difficult, she credits God with blessing her abundantly. She enjoys serving the community and giving back through her nonprofit organization, “Building Foundations Together, Inc.” Her dream is to be able to help foster kids through educational programs and scholarships for college, while additionally providing counseling support. Proctor’s life is a testament to her favorite Biblical passage: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
In 2008, A Ruth Proctor founded her non-profit, Building
Foundations. Building Foundations is a therapeutic foster
care program that is committed to academic enrichment,
parental involvement, and business leadership training.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
A lot of people think being an entrepreneur is easy, but truthfully—it is trial and error. If payroll is short, you are still responsible for ensuring employees are paid. When your employees are in a good space, they can be awesome and provide quality work, but if they are not, they will fail. It is like coaching and nurturing your children, but on a professional level. You learn from the good, bad, and ugly. There is no road map to success and running a successful business is demanding work, sleepless nights, and stressful days, while being financially strapped, while also managing the home front.
I had many challenges in establishment my non profit. I incorporated the nonprofit legally in 2012 and it took almost two years to be established and registered with the IRS. From trying to find funding to building a nonprofit from scratch has definitely had it’s challenges.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My entrepreneurial journey has significantly shaped both my personal and professional growth in several ways.
Professionally, running successful businesses in the mental health field has deepened my understanding of the complexities of mental health issues. It has equipped me with practical skills in leadership, problem-solving, and innovation, allowing me to create effective programs that truly support individuals in need. This experience has also expanded my network, connecting me with other passionate professionals and organizations dedicated to improving mental health care.
On a personal level, balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood and caregiving for my mother, who has schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, has taught me resilience and empathy. I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the struggles that individuals and families face in the mental health space. This has not only informed my business practices but has also inspired me to advocate for better resources and support systems for caregivers and those affected by mental health challenges.
Ultimately, my journey has reinforced the importance of compassion, understanding, and community support, both in my personal life and in my professional endeavors. It’s a continuous learning process, but I’m grateful for how these experiences have shaped me into a more empathetic leader and advocate.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
“In both my life and business, I don’t believe in luck as much as I believe in divine timing and purpose. For me, it’s been God guiding my path, opening the right doors, and providing the wisdom and strength I needed along the way. When challenges arose, it was my faith that helped me push through, and I see every opportunity as part of a bigger plan rather than mere chance.”
Pricing:
- My autobiography “I Survived; You Can Too” $34.99
- Donate any amount on my website: www.BFoundations.org
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.BFoundations.org
- Instagram: Building.Foundations
- Facebook: Building Foundations NC
- Youtube: @ruthproctor7007
- Other: https://www.ARuthProctor.com
