Nancy Ruiz is the owner of C2C Education Group, LLC. C2C Education Group, LLC is a cradle-to-career that works directly with schools to develop customized solutions that lead to real success and makes a difference in student’s lives. We had a chance to sit down with her to ask about her experience with entrepreneurship and LAEDA’s training program.

(1) LAEDA: Entrepreneurship is a very challenging path to take with many different possible
directions. What made you decide to become an entrepreneur?

I have always wanted to work in a consulting business that fully supports the entire education spectrum from cradle to career. There is a need for personalized, impactful education solutions that often go unmet within traditional systems. Throughout my career in Camden, NJ, and Philadelphia, PA, I have worked with school communities who all wanted to achieve more meaningful learning outcomes but were held back by one-size-fits-all approaches or other challenges. This inspired me to create a space where I could design tailored strategies, provide individualized, targeted support, make learning more engaging and effective, and support educational institutions to achieve success.

(2) LAEDA: Why did you choose your industry?

I have 30 years of experience in education as a teacher and administrator/school principal. I have worked in the public, charter, cyber, bilingual, and accelerated education sectors, from nursery to grade 12. It is incredibly rewarding to witness students and educators reach their full potential. Becoming an educational consultant will allow me to apply my passion for innovation and growth in a way that directly benefits from cradle-to-career. Running an educational consultant business with my partner will connect us directly with schools, understand their unique goals and challenges, and work closely with them to develop customized solutions that lead to real success and make a difference in students’ lives.

(3) LAEDA: Tell me about your experience while attending EDTP. What have the major takeaways been from the program? Have you had any “Ah-ha!” moments? How did the program help you?

I am grateful for the opportunity to attend EDTP Session 99. During the nine weeks of classes, I learned so much about becoming an entrepreneur. I appreciate the staff and instructors’ valuable knowledge and resources. The PowerPoint presentations were informative, and excellent examples were shown to help us understand the material. I took copious notes, engaged in all aspects of the lessons, completed all homework assignments, and won the elevator pitch contest.

I also supported my classmates and encouraged them to complete the program. Our business counselors’ support while creating the business plan was instrumental and rewarding. The relationships built during this program will last a lifetime. I thank Mr. Lamboy, the LEADA staff, and the instructors for preparing us to become successful business professionals.

(4) LAEDA: Tell me about your journey on the road to business start-up. What have been some of the challenges, successes, failures, etc.?
One of the greatest lessons I have learned is the power of patience and perseverance. Life is unpredictable, and new challenges emerge every day. I finished this fantastic entrepreneurial program on June 18, 2024, and on June 28, 2024, my business partner, Ellen and I formed C2C Education Group, LLC. Nine days later, I fell and broke my ankle, spending six days in the hospital, requiring surgery, getting a titanium plate and ten screws to hold my ankle together, and a month in a rehabilitation facility. I had to put the business on hold for a few months due to the extent of my injury. I took this time to learn more about business and to keep abreast of the latest educational trends. I attended approximately 20 virtual webinars. I also met with my business partner, Ellen, and began planning our next steps.

(5) LAEDA: Could you tell me a little about where your business is today?

After two presentations with our EDTP instructor, Mr. Efrain Muñoz, Account Executive at Columbia Bank, we decided to open our business checking account with Columbia Bank on Market Street. We wanted to stay connected and contribute to the great city of Camden. We recently met with Ms. Trina Allen, an instructor from EDTP and owner of JAM Consulting, LLC. We are in the process of getting our business logo created, our website designed, and setting up our business social media accounts. I will be applying for the Minority Women Business Enterprise certification and registering our educational consulting business as a foreign entity in Pennsylvania. We aim to do a massive marketing campaign and launch in a few weeks. We have potential clients ready to do business with us.

(6) LAEDA: Do you have any advice for future (or existing) entrepreneurs?

I advise current and future entrepreneurs to stay connected with the LAEDA team, your classmates, and the instructors. From my experiences, the bonds we have formed as classmates, the partnerships we have developed, and the insights we have gained from one another have shown us that the most successful ventures are those built on the strengths of a diverse team. These individuals are your bridge to a successful business. Also, become a lifelong learner. I highly recommend attending SCORE Webinars (www.score.org) to learn more about growing your business.

More about C2C Education Group, LLC:

Location: Camden, New Jersey 08102

Phone: 856-397-8884

The Team:
Nancy Ruiz, President/CEO
Ellen Green, Vice-President.

We are educational consultant partners dedicated to transforming every step of the academic journey, from cradle to career. We specialize in strategic planning and personalized support for continuous school improvement. We provide on-site and virtual services and resources to all educational institutions. At C2C Education Group, LLC, we are deeply committed to the entire educational ecosystem. We believe in making a real impact, backed by extensive data analysis, to improve academic performance, enhance student engagement, and increase enrollment, attendance, and graduation rates. We advocate for parents and families, strengthen teacher efficiency through targeted training programs, and foster administrative leadership growth. We empower educators to create environments where scholars thrive. With our combined expertise of 66 years, our ultimate goal is to aid in unlocking the institution’s full potential to ensure every stakeholder has the opportunity to succeed.

About the Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (EDTP):
The Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (EDTP) is a free, nine-week business skills training course offered in Camden, NJ in the Spring and Fall each year. Qualified entrepreneurs receive 72+ hours of training from industry professionals, business planning, and continued technical assistance.