The story of Big Dreams Through Small Steps began with a vision that my husband Robert and I shared—a vision rooted in our desire to give back to the community that has given so much to us. We talked about how we could combine our strengths to make a real difference, and eventually, that dream took shape as a nonprofit dedicated to empowering children, families, and small businesses.

 

With my background in education, spanning over 30 years with a focus on early childhood, I saw firsthand the transformative impact that early support can have on young lives. There’s something incredibly powerful in fostering a love of learning, nurturing confidence, and building critical thinking skills that carry into adulthood. Robert, on the other hand, has over three decades of experience as an entrepreneur, specializing in business development. His commitment to small businesses grew from a belief in their essential role within a strong, thriving community. Together, we felt we could make a unique impact—not just by doing our own work, but by connecting the dots within the community.

 

One thing we both realized was that, while many great organizations were doing meaningful work, there was often an overlap in initiatives and there was a lack of public awareness of these programs, leading to missed opportunities to create even greater impact. With Big Dreams Through Small Steps, we wanted to address that by acting as a connector—helping organizations work together to optimize funding and amplify their efforts for the good of everyone involved.

 

Our mission is simple but powerful: to empower children, uplift families, and support small businesses as the heartbeat of a thriving community. By taking small, steady steps and fostering collaboration, we aim to inspire others to join us in creating a brighter future. In our hearts, we believe that if we each take those meaningful steps, we can all move forward together toward big dreams.

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-Misty Ritch

Co-Founder and CEO