Meet Ruth Russell

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

Hi Ruth, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

I was born in Lima, Peru, into a very poor family where poverty was part of daily life. There were times when we wouldn’t eat for three days, and we could only afford new shoes once a year. Those experiences shaped me from a young age. Since I was 7 years old, I started working by washing clothes for family members and later walking for hours on the streets selling candy and cake. That’s how I learned the value of hard work and self-reliance.

Through my own efforts, I paid for my studies at one of the best beauty schools in Lima. Later, I studied English because I always dreamed of coming to the United States. I sold sandwiches from a small kiosk to pay for my classes, and those sacrifices taught me discipline and determination.

In November 2003, I arrived in the United States. My dream had come true, but new challenges soon arose. When I first arrived in the United States, I embraced various roles to make ends meet, from babysitting to crafting and even selling homemade salsa that everyone seemed to love. My circumstances weren’t easy and I found myself very limited financially and emotionally as a result of my marriage. I will not share the details, but suffice it to say, I have become an advocate for women today that are suffering with an abusive marriage partner. But even in those times, I found ways to keep moving forward, driven by my desire to create a better life for my children. During my marriage, I was able to study to become a dental assistant and worked in that field for over 10 years. When I finally decided to leave my marriage, my three children, and I moved into a shelter. I worked three jobs—cleaning houses, working at resorts, and dental assisting. All those experiences made me stronger and eventually led to starting my own cleaning company. Even though I was happy working and being self-sufficient, I always knew I wanted more.

On February 1st, 2022, I married my soulmate, the most loving and supportive husband in the world, as I always tell him. During this time, I had been working for another estate sale company and I thoroughly enjoyed organizing, meeting customers and selling. My husband recognized my entrepreneurial spirit, energy and love for the estate sale business and he helped me to organize my ideas, dreams, and aspirations. That’s how, in May 2023, Life Treasures Estate Sales www.lifetreasuresestatesales.com, was created. My husband has been my greatest supporter and he has encouraged me to turn my ideas into reality. Also, my children were also helpful in making this dream come true.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My journey as an entrepreneur has been a rollercoaster of growth, resilience, and passion. From my earliest memories, I’ve always been driven to find ways to create opportunities. Growing up, I didn’t fear stepping out of my comfort zone because my biggest fear was not being able to provide for my family. That determination shaped my approach to life and business.

My first business, a cleaning company, was born out of necessity. I had worked as a cleaner in resorts, learning the trade inside and out. I was promoted to supervisor, but I realized my earnings were capped, no matter how hard I worked. That’s when I decided to take a leap of faith and start my own company. It wasn’t easy, but my persistence and commitment to delivering high-quality service paid off.

Years later, I found my true calling with Life Treasures Estate Sales, www.lifetreasuresestatesales.com. I was inspired by the idea of giving old treasures a new life and finding them homes where they could be cherished again. Working with my mentor, Camille, from Thanks for Sharing, deepened my love for estate sales. Estate sales are more than just transactions—they are about stories, memories, compassion and helping families during transitional times. Life Treasures Estate Sales is dedicated to easing the transitions that come with life’s significant milestones. We understand the challenges seniors and their families face during these times and are committed to providing compassionate, professional estate sale services. From organizing and staging to clean-outs and move-in/move-out cleaning, we simplify every step of the journey, ensuring a seamless and rewarding experience.

For me, the only failure is not trying. Even when things don’t go as planned, there’s always something to learn. My story is one of perseverance, faith, and the belief that no obstacle is insurmountable if you’re willing to work for what you believe in. That’s what Life Treasures Estate Sales stands for—helping others find value in the past while building a brighter future. I’m excited to continue growing this business and making a meaningful impact on the lives of our clients and customers.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

In my experience as an entrepreneur, I’ve identified three key skills that are essential for building and maintaining a successful business:

1. Exceptional Customer Service: Always treat your clients with respect and care. While they might forget what they purchased from you, they’ll never forget how you made them feel. Building trust and delivering an outstanding experience creates loyal customers and strong relationships.

2. Perseverance: The road to success is rarely smooth. Staying determined and pushing forward, even when things get tough, is what sets successful entrepreneurs apart. Take risks, try new things, and remember that the only true failure is not trying.

3. Passion for Your Work: When you genuinely love what you do, it reflects in every aspect of your business. Your enthusiasm becomes contagious, inspiring your team and attracting clients and team members who share your vision.

These principles have guided me through my entrepreneurial journey, helping me create meaningful connections and always remembering that the focus of Life Treasures Estate Sales is to truly make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

One book that has played an important role in my development is “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. There are many valuable lessons in this book, but two parts really stood out to me. One is the idea that “it’s easier to attract bees with honey than with vinegar.” This reminds me to be patient, sweet, and kind when interacting with customers and others. The second key lesson is that everyone wants their “five minutes of importance.” It’s crucial to make each person feel valued and special. I always try to find a conversation topic that makes my clients or friends feel important, because it builds stronger and more genuine connections.

Thank you kindly for the opportunity to share a little bit about me and my journey!

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