From Common Roots to Community Impact: How My Journey Led to Orange RUBIE Life Style

Let me take you back to where it all started. I wasn’t always the founder of Orange RUBIE Life Style, LLC, and I didn’t always dream about helping corporations become agents of change in underserved communities. In fact, my story starts in a place of modest beginnings, the kind that shapes you with grit and determination because you don’t have a choice.

Growing up, I wasn’t handed much on a silver platter. I learned early on that if I wanted something, I’d have to work for it, and sometimes even then, it felt like the odds were stacked against me. I’ve known what it’s like to feel overlooked and unheard, to feel like the system isn’t built for you or your community. And for a long time, I carried that frustration with me—a desire to create real change but unsure of exactly how to do it.

Fast forward a few years, and my experiences led me into the nonprofit world. I’ll never forget my first role. I was thrown into a position, driven by passion but often stretched thin, working long hours to make small but meaningful differences. And every story, every struggle I encountered hit home. I wasn’t just working a job; I was reminded daily of the very challenges I grew up facing. My mission wasn’t just professional; it was personal.

In this nonprofit role, I began to see the massive potential for positive impact that businesses could bring to communities if only they had the mindset and tools. That’s when I started envisioning a bridge between the corporate world and the needs of underserved areas—a way for companies to not just do business in these neighborhoods but to actively contribute to their success.

The Shift to Orange RUBIE Life Style

It wasn’t an easy leap. Transitioning from a nonprofit to founding a business was daunting, to say the least. Starting Orange RUBIE Life Style meant investing not just time but also my heart, soul, and every ounce of faith that there was a way to transform corporate leaders into community advocates. I wanted to create a company that would empower corporations to look at leadership through a new lens, one that viewed communities as partners rather than mere markets.

I’ve stood on the other side of those boardrooms, the side where you feel like just another number. So, when I talk to leaders about making an impact, it’s not just some abstract idea to me; it’s real. I’ve lived it. I know what it means to bring true, empathetic leadership into underserved communities, and I believe corporations have the power to do that too.

Why Orange RUBIE Life Style Matters

Through Orange RUBIE Life Style, I aim to equip leaders with more than just business skills. I want them to develop empathy, resilience, and a sense of responsibility for the communities they operate in. We work with companies to create programs that go beyond writing a check; they’re about empowering people with job training, mentorship, and opportunities that build confidence and lasting skills.

A Personal Mission with a Community Focus

My journey from humble beginnings to starting Orange RUBIE Life Style taught me that true leadership isn’t about a title or paycheck. It’s about leaving something better than you found it. And I know, from my own experiences, that we can’t do it alone. I’m determined to bring corporate leaders into this mission to change the way we connect and support one another.

Through Orange RUBIE Life Style, I hope to create more than just impactful programs; I aim to create a movement of compassionate, community-focused leadership that empowers people who, like me, may have once felt left behind.

To anyone out there—whether you’re a business leader, a nonprofit worker, or someone just trying to make a difference—let’s work together to bridge the gaps and create lasting change. Because if my journey has taught me anything, it’s that no one should feel alone in this.

Together, we can make a real difference.
—Courtney