Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Noel Ransom Washington. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Noel, appreciate you joining us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

If I could go back in time, I would have started my business sooner. I launched SigmaCertify after nearly two decades of leading large-scale enterprise transformations and teaching Lean Six Sigma and Project Management at the university level. At that stage of my life, I had built the expertise, reputation, and confidence to help others — but I realized I had been waiting for the “perfect time” that never really exists.
When I finally started SigmaCertify, I was balancing a demanding executive role as Vice President of Implementation, teaching at Emory University, and completing my doctoral studies. It was a full plate, but it also gave me perspective — I saw firsthand how many professionals were hungry for real-world, practical training beyond theory. That became my motivation.
If I had started earlier, I could have built a broader impact sooner — reaching more professionals, expanding my programs globally, and creating opportunities for others to teach and lead. Still, I believe the timing was divine. The years of corporate experience shaped my credibility and gave me the operational excellence mindset that now defines my business.
So, while I sometimes wish I had started earlier, I also know I started right on time — with the wisdom, scars, and confidence to build something that lasts.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Noel Washington, a Vice President of Implementation, educator, and entrepreneur with more than 18 years of experience in project management, operational excellence, and transformational leadership. I entered this industry because I’ve always been passionate about solving complex problems, improving systems, and helping people and organizations operate at their highest potential. My journey started in corporate America, where I led multi-million-dollar projects and large-scale process improvement initiatives across technology and business operations. Over time, I realized my true calling extended beyond boardrooms — it was about teaching others how to do what I do.
That realization led me to launch SigmaCertify, a professional education company that provides Lean Six Sigma and Project Management certification training for working professionals, corporations, and entrepreneurs. Through SigmaCertify, we don’t just teach people to pass exams — we teach them to think strategically, lead confidently, and deliver measurable results. Our programs are accredited, instructor-led, and grounded in real-world application. We integrate tools like Minitab, process mapping, and data-driven problem solving so participants can immediately apply what they learn to improve performance and reduce waste in their own environments.
What sets me apart is my ability to bridge both worlds — the strategic leadership of a corporate executive and the hands-on mentorship of an educator. I’ve walked in the shoes of my clients, from managing high-stakes initiatives to navigating complex team dynamics, and that allows me to teach with empathy, authenticity, and practicality. I believe excellence isn’t a buzzword — it’s a standard, and that’s what I help others achieve.
I’m most proud of the thousands of professionals I’ve helped grow — seeing them earn certifications, promotions, or start their own consulting businesses because of the knowledge and confidence they gained through my programs. My goal is to make certification accessible, relevant, and empowering for people who want to level up their careers and lives.
Ultimately, I want readers to know that SigmaCertify isn’t just about education — it’s about transformation. We’re helping professionals unlock their potential, redefine what success looks like, and build legacies through power, purpose, and progress.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the most defining moments of my journey came during a season when I was juggling what felt like three full-time lives — leading large-scale technology transformations as a Vice President of Implementation, teaching Lean Six Sigma and Project Management at Emory University, and building my business, SigmaCertify, from the ground up. At the same time, I was also pursuing my doctorate. It was a period that tested every ounce of my focus, faith, and endurance.
There were nights I’d finish corporate meetings at 7 p.m., teach class until 9, and then stay up past midnight refining course materials or building SigmaCertify’s curriculum. It wasn’t glamorous — it was grit. I remember one night in particular when everything seemed to hit at once: a critical project deadline, a teaching commitment, and a business proposal all due the same week. I broke down for a moment, questioning if I could truly do it all. But instead of quitting, I paused, prayed, and reminded myself why I started — to create opportunities for others to grow through excellence and education.
That experience taught me that resilience isn’t about being unbreakable — it’s about bending without giving up. It’s about maintaining your vision when life applies pressure. I learned to prioritize what mattered most, to give myself grace in the process, and to keep showing up even when it wasn’t easy.
Today, when I look at the students earning certifications through SigmaCertify or the professionals I mentor stepping into leadership roles, I see the fruit of that resilience. It reminds me that purpose always outlasts pressure.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

When I started SigmaCertify, there was no big investor, no angel funding, and no silent partner — just belief, sacrifice, and strategy. I built this business from the ground up using personal savings and the income I earned from teaching and consulting. Every dollar I made outside my corporate role was reinvested into building the brand — from developing the course materials to securing accreditation, designing the website, and setting up a professional learning platform.
In many ways, SigmaCertify was funded by faith and discipline. I learned to operate lean — using my expertise and creativity instead of waiting for perfect conditions or large capital. I leveraged what I already had: my credibility, relationships, and knowledge. That became my currency. I also used free or low-cost technology tools to automate processes, create digital assets, and reach students online without the overhead of a physical space.
Looking back, I’m proud that I didn’t wait for external funding or validation. Bootstrapping taught me how to run a business efficiently, make smart financial decisions, and stay close to the mission. Every milestone — from my first paying student to building full certification programs — felt earned, not given.
Starting small forced me to think big but build smart, and that foundation has made SigmaCertify sustainable and scalable today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://SigmaCertify.com