An Interview with Omar Ruffin, Rising Tide Capital Graduate
This story is the first in a series featuring entrepreneurs who are Graduates of the Community Business Academy offered by nonprofit Rising Tide Capital. Based in Jersey City, New Jersey, Rising Tide Capital's mission is to transform lives and communities through entrepreneurship.
Omar, the winner of the Start Something Challenge
Omar Ruffin is the President & CEO of BiArté Biker Gear Corporation, a startup committed to outfitting motorcyclists safely and stylishly. In July 2015, Ruffin won first place in the Start Something Challenge competition, earning a $10,000 business grant.
Ruffin describes himself as a "Renaissance man of sorts." He is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., served in the United States Army National Guard, and is currently employed as a Flight Attendant with Delta Air Lines, which allows him not only the flexibility required to run his business, but also the opportunity to promote his brand worldwide. Through his business, he is working to build upon his own dream and create a legacy for his family.
Steve Mariotti: What exactly do you do, and who do you help?
Omar Ruffin: At BiArté, we specialize in creating protective gear for motorcycle riders. Our premier product is called the BikerSoc, a shoe protector which guards against scuffs and abrasions to the rider's footwear. Instead of making everything bland and basic, we aim to stimulate our customers with attractive designs and colors.
BiArté specializes in gear for motorcycle riders
SM: How did you get started?
OR: The company sort of fell into my lap. The original company actually began in 1997 in Brooklyn, New York, by my cousin, Tyrone Hunter, Sr. It was really catching on, but then he suffered a setback when he was sent to prison with a life sentence in 2004, from actions which dated back to the late 80's. After seeing that it was a viable product, which solved a major pain point for many riders, I knew we had to do something. We couldn't just let it fall by the wayside. I approached my cousin and told him of my plans to go back to school and focus on entrepreneurship and management. I mapped out a timeline of when I wanted to seriously take over this business. We discussed it, and agreed we could help a lot of riders who were looking for solutions to save their gear.
SM: When did you first think of yourself as an entrepreneur?
OR: I think I've always considered myself to be an entrepreneur. After completing my undergraduate studies at South Carolina State University, I moved back to New York City and began my career in the legal industry as a Paralegal. I went back to school to obtain a master's degree and eventually became a Legal Staff Supervisor at an international law firm. Even in these roles, I always saw each individual attorney I supported as a customer. I think providing excellent customer service is a skill we all need to have in any given profession. Having great people skills doesn't hurt either. I've always been blessed with the gift of gab. It's not a bad thing.
SM: What is the biggest challenge you face as a business person?
OR: The biggest challenge up until now, I will honestly say has been believing I could actually get this done. The company itself has had a rough history. It was started by someone who I respect and love like he's my brother. He had to give it up and now, it's been placed in my hands to make a success. When we as young black men grow up in blended and often times broken homes, we don't necessarily have any idols who look like us sitting at the dinner table every night. So we try to figure things out for ourselves. My cousin started something I plan on making very successful. Not to say, 'look what I did,' but to leave a lasting legacy for my family and every kid who has ever been told they can't be better than their situation.
My story didn't start out all that great. I've lived in homeless shelters, had an abusive dad (who did get better), parents who fell victim to the drug sweep of the early and mid-80's. I remember praying life would get better as a six-year-old. I collected cans to get a meal every night, which consisted mainly of ramen noodles, which probably explains why I'm not a fan of it now.
My cousin and I grew up in the same house when we lived with my grandmother, who I believed saved me and instilled amazing values in me of never giving up and always giving everything you do your all. It's amazing how two individuals who received the same life lessons, from the same person, can take two completely different paths. My cousin is a genius who experienced a misfortune. I am simply here trying to make his life's lemons into lemonade.
SM: What has been inspiring to your entrepreneurial success?
OR: This may come as a surprise to many, but there are no businesses owned by any individuals in my family. The thing that drives my entrepreneurial success is the need and desire to build a legacy for my family; to show every kid in the world, but especially the ones in my family, that you are greater than your circumstance; to learn to see failure as a lesson and not as the end; to be a testament to the idea of where you start up does not have to be indicative of where you will end up.
The day I decided to not make any more excuses for utilizing my talents, experiences and education for what was placed in front of me was the day my life changed. I am certainly grateful for it and would not change a thing.
Special thanks to Lenore Holz for helping research and edit this article.