From family therapist to founder, Ruban Roberts has lived the messy reality of entrepreneurship. Steady paychecks traded for uncertain contracts, big promises that never materialize, and the grind of building from scratch. As CEO of RER Consulting and founder of Amplify Community Resources, Ruban opens up about the business challenges of scaling, the importance of team dynamics, and why leadership means letting go of control. He also shares how mental health practices fuel personal growth, why community support is a game changer, and how technology’s impact is reshaping both opportunity and risk for today’s founders.
Key Takeaways:
1️⃣ Stop trying to clone yourself
Scaling isn’t about finding a mini-you. That’s impossible and exhausting. Your real job is filling gaps—fundraising, pipeline, vision—then trusting your team to run with the rest. Leadership is letting go before burnout forces you to.
2️⃣ Mental health isn’t a side quest
Reflection, gratitude, mentorship, massages—call it self-care, but for founders it’s strategy. If your head’s a mess, your business will be too. Protect your energy and you’ll make better calls, grow faster, and build a culture people want to stick with.
3️⃣ Chasing contracts isn’t a business plan
That one “big deal” won’t save you. Without steady funding streams—government, private, philanthropic—you’re always back at zero. Founders who build stable, recurring revenue don’t just survive… they free up space to actually grow.
Timestamps
00:00 The Journey Begins: From Academia to Entrepreneurship
02:28 Navigating Misconceptions: The Reality of Starting a Business
05:11 Building Relationships: The Importance of Networking
07:32 Scaling Up: Lessons Learned in Growth
10:19 Finding Fulfillment: The Rewards of Impacting Lives
12:34 Overcoming Challenges: Learning from Setbacks
15:07 Introspection and Growth: The Cycle of Learning
17:35 Mental Health Matters: Addressing Stigmas in Entrepreneurship
25:48 The Strength in Vulnerability
29:15 Funding and Scaling Challenges
32:07 Expanding Reach and Community Engagement
37:02 Navigating the Changing Job Market
42:20 Embracing AI and Future Opportunities
46:36 Celebrating Milestones and Future Aspirations
🔗 Learn more and connect with Ruban:
RER Website: https://rer-consulting.com/
ACR Website: https://wereacr.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruban-roberts-mba-msw-8b526a17/
ACR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wereacrorg/
RER Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rerconsulting/
ACW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amplifycw/