We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ruha Ratnam. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ruha below.

Ruha, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, folks often look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight – but that often obscures all the nitty, gritty details of everything that went into the growth phase of your business. We’d love to hear about your scaling story and how you scaled up?

A few years into my business, I was earning just enough to pay my bills and live comfortably. I had built a reputation and my contacts regularly sent potential clients my way, and occasionally a complete stranger would even hire me after finding me online. I was comfortable enough that a question started wiggling its way into my head: what else is possible?

I loved my work and my clients, and I knew that the business I had built offering brand and website design could keep going as it was. But I also wanted more. I wanted to push myself, to pursue meaningful and increasingly impactful work, and in complete transparency, to make more money and a build a little wealth for myself.

It took me a while to figure out where to start. I didn’t want to offer courses teaching others to design brands. I didn’t want to sell website templates. I didn’t want to build an agency and manage a team of employees.

It was a casual conversation with a friend that helped me pull the right threads together: building brands and digital experiences for community-centred organizations. The idea didn’t fall out of the sky. I had years of data and reflection on my experiences that I could look at to decide on an idea that made sense. As soon as I recognized that this was the work that I’d been increasingly drawn to, and wanted to do more of, I pulled together a strategy to reposition myself and a plan to help me move forward.

I’m in the early stages of this work now, and am seeing my business grow in ways I wouldn’t have expected. It’s tough work, I won’t lie. I feel uncomfortable, a lot. I’m up at night thinking about everything I have yet to do, and what might go wrong, and what might go so right. I have to think of my schedule in new ways, and be willing to take risks – including the financial uncertainty that comes with turning down paid work that no longer fits the direction I want to move in. And there’s the development and launch of a productivised service that’s basically like a having a second job.

In all this, what’s helped the most has been my own community. I’ve built a network of incredibly inspiring cheerleaders, all of them entrepreneurs themselves, who see when I need motivation, calling out, or a shoulder to cry on when I’m feeling most exasperated. I have access to brilliant mentors who see the gaps and opportunities that I miss, and help me avoid mistakes, or at least make smaller ones.

Ruha, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Ruha Ratnam, a Brand & Community Strategist. That just means that I help membership-based organizations drive engagement, retention, and growth through strategic branding and digital experiences. My work focuses on building strong, loyal communities by aligning brand strategy with digital engagement, ensuring that organizations don’t just attract members but keep them actively involved.

I’ve always been drawn to the intersection of storytelling, strategy, and technology. I’ve seen firsthand how organizations struggle to create meaningful engagement with their audiences. Too often, I see purpose-driven organizations with incredible missions struggle with member retention, unclear brand messaging, or outdated digital experiences that don’t reflect their true value. I want to help them move beyond one-time transactions and create lasting, engaged communities that support their long-term success.

My services include brand strategy and messaging, website optimization and CRO, community experience design, and workshops and training for teams. I also run short-term masterminds for other entrepreneurs and professionals who want deep community as part of their growth.

The most enjoyable part of my work is being able to see the big picture while focusing on the details that truly matter. My work allows me to blend data-driven strategy with human-centered design, ensuring that the organizations I work with aren’t just growing their numbers but also nurturing meaningful relationships with their members.

I’m also deeply committed to equity and inclusion. A major part of my work is helping historically underrepresented and underserved communities build stronger digital presences that challenge outdated norms and create real social impact.

I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible organizations like The Forum Canada, the Canadian Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and the Academy for Sustainable Innovation, helping them optimize their digital presence, increase engagement, and build stronger communities. Seeing the impact of my work – whether it’s a website that actually converts, a messaging strategy that resonates, or a digital experience that keeps members engaged – is what motivates me every day.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I’ve always found people’s dreams for themselves inspiring, and would try to help them find ways to pursue and those dreams. My business has always been about helping others pursue their dreams. When I started my business, I was helping other small business owners build a business on their own terms, and to make a living doing what they loved. Now, I support community-focused businesses and organizations empower their members and clients, and get to help make even more people pursue their dream lives.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I love that I get to design my own career, on my own terms. It’s high-risk, I’m not always certain of the payoff, but it’s been worth it for me. Along the way, I’ve met intelligent, creative people, some of whom are now among my best friends, and who help me develop my own creative process and business growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thedesignist.studio/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruharatnam/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruharatnam/