Following a long corporate career, Blanca Ruiz made a pivotal decision to pursue a newfound passion that is rooted in a family legacy. Venturing into entrepreneurship, she established her own online jewelry business, Feeling Gold Jewelry.

Originally from Mexico, Ruiz was raised in a family of jewelers whose legacy extends to owning reputable jewelry stores, a legacy she continues, characterized by an unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction, offering exquisite designs in solid gold jewelry while maintaining a steadfast commitment to affordability. "My journey is not just a personal pursuit, but a continuation of a tradition built on integrity and a genuine love for providing our customers with timeless pieces that resonate with elegance and quality," Ruiz said.

She discovered the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at the U of A and participated in the center's online trainings on marketing and developing business plans. Becoming a client, Ruiz worked with business consultant Carolina Mejia to construct a comprehensive business plan, which gave her critical insights into market dynamics and the feasibility of her business concept. "ASBTDC not only equipped me with various tools but also facilitated connections with external resources," she said. "The constant encouragement played a pivotal role in keeping me motivated and moving forward on my entrepreneurial journey."

As units of the U of A Division of Economic Development, the ASBTDC and World Trade Center Arkansas collaborated to assist Ruiz. Working with division colleague Denise Thomas, CEO of the trade center, she learned about the importation process of products for her business. "Overcoming the challenge of importing jewelry from Mexico became a reality with this assistance," Ruiz said. "This valuable connection provided me with the right contacts."

Ruiz came to understand that one can achieve anything they desire with a passionate belief in a dream, coupled with hard work and study. Cultivating unwavering faith and not letting fear obstruct her path has been key for her. "Surround yourself with individuals who believe in your dream and actively empower you. While entrepreneurship wasn't on my radar for many years, my family's legacy of integrity and customer satisfaction motivates me to continue that tradition here in the United States," she said. "I want to pass that same legacy to my 6-year-old daughter."

The assistance that Ruiz received in the initial stages of contemplating her business venture was invaluable to building a firm foundation to Feeling Gold Jewelry. "Working with ASBTDC has been fantastic," she said. "They are responsive, supportive, and connect you with the right people to achieve your vision — all for free."

The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at the U of A helps small businesses in Northwest Arkansas thrive. With offices in Fayetteville and Bentonville, ASBTDC consultants provide one-on-one confidential consulting at no cost to the client and in-person and virtual trainings and workshops to help entrepreneurs gain the knowledge and skill to be successful.

The ASBTDC at the U of A is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration through a partnership with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and is a unit of the Division of Economic Development, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.