Helping People & Companies Win

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business solutions but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ruba Asmussen, Founder and CEO of RTA Consulting, located in Portland, OR, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

You can think of RTA Consulting as your company's People Function-as-a-Service. We work with mission-driven startup companies that use science and technology to solve important problems in the world. We help these companies position themselves as an employer of choice and attract, hire, engage, retain, and develop their workforce to help their organizations achieve their mission.

Tell us about yourself

I've been in the people space for a long time, and I am passionate about doing the things that make people thrive. I was especially inspired by an interview I watched with centenarians, people who live to be over 100 years old, and hearing their responses to the question, "what is your secret?" Along with being physically active and having healthy eating habits, what makes them thrive is human connection and having a purpose. Many people find their purpose through their workplaces. Being a science major and working in the lab in a previous life, I am also passionate about science and technology and all the excitement and potential that comes with it. I am just so motivated to help create engaging, positive, constructive environments for people working on these problems. Not only helping them lead more fulfilling lives through their work and relationships but also optimizing them to be able to solve these super important problems - that really feels like my calling to the world.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

There's so much to celebrate, from launching a multi-million dollar company that's under three years old to working with the most exciting companies in the world, building an amazing team and company culture, to celebrating the daily wins together with my team. We get to impact lives and companies, and the world every day! It's hard to pick just one thing. I'm so fortunate and grateful.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

The business itself is appropriately challenging. Where it becomes challenging is really running this business and continually innovating and, at the same time, running a busy household with two school-aged kids. It's fairly manageable until my husband goes out of town, and then I have to handle all the things myself. He is so supportive, and although he has a busy career of his own, he handles his share (and possibly more) in the home. If I didn't have that support, it would definitely be more difficult. We need more partners out there in the home, doing their share and supporting women!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Give it a try and see what happens. Adjust and adapt.
It's a process. You won't get everything right on Day 1. Even if you did, the world is evolving so quickly that things would change.
Stay nimble.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.rta-ccc.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rta-consulting-llc/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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