Ruth Esumeh is the founder of Ruth’s Marriage, an initiative dedicated to helping couples build thriving, joyful marriages. With a background in corporate work spanning over a decade and a lifelong passion for relationship development, she now works with clients across more than 15 countries. Ruth is deeply committed to reshaping the narrative around marriage—showing that it can be fulfilling, supportive, and life-enhancing. Her work also extends to singles, guiding them in making intentional, informed decisions about their future partners.
What sparked your journey as a coach/entrepreneur? Was there a moment, challenge, or person that pushed you to take this path?
I would say that I’ve always had an interest in relationships, right from when I was a young adult. I remember sitting down to watch a particular person who spoke about relationships, and I was so captivated by what they were saying. At the time, there was no social media, and in fact, where I grew up, we didn’t have access to the global internet like we do now.
I used to subscribe to magazines that focused on relationships, and they would be delivered to my house. So I’d say my interest truly began in my young adult years. I was drawn to topics about relationships, marriage, and couples—even though I didn’t know much about them back then.
As I grew older and went through university, I noticed that I had a natural ability to support people around me with their relationship issues. I would offer advice to my colleagues or friends, and they often felt encouraged by it. Sometimes they would even implement the advice, and it would work for them. That’s when I began to recognize that this might be a natural gift that God has given me.
What really pushed me to fully pursue this path as an entrepreneur was my experience in paid employment. I worked in the corporate world for over 10–11 years, but eventually, I began to feel a deep dissatisfaction. That discomfort made it clear that it was time to step into something more purposeful and fulfilling.
Secondly, I’ve always had a strong passion for entrepreneurship—especially in areas like business, marketing, and sales. While being a marriage counsellor is a part of my journey, I know I’ll continue to expand beyond that because I naturally enjoy building and growing something from the ground up. This interest started when I was a young adult, and it’s only grown stronger over time.
Tell us a bit about what you do! What’s the purpose behind your business, and how does it make a difference in people’s lives?
I help couples enjoy their marriages. I’m the founder of Ruth’s Marriage, and my passion is to see people build strong, fulfilling relationships. I truly believe marriage is meant to be enjoyed, not endured. It’s a foundational part of society—every family begins with two people coming together in marriage. And when marriages are healthy, children are more likely to be raised in love, empathy, and kindness, carrying those values into the world.
That’s why I’m so committed to helping people build great marriages. With the rise in divorce statistics, many have come to see marriage as a burden or a mistake. But I want to shift that narrative—to show that marriage can be successful, joyful, and deeply rewarding.
The same goes for singles. I believe the quality of a marriage begins with choosing the right partner. That’s why I’m also passionate about guiding singles—helping them understand what to look for, how to prepare, and how to make wise choices. A good marriage starts with a good decision, and that’s where the journey begins. This is my purpose and what drives the work I do every day.
Thinking back to the start of your career, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced in establishing yourself as a coach/entrepreneur? How did you work through them?
One of the biggest challenges I faced when I launched was putting myself out there to be known. I had a strong passion and interest in what I wanted to do, but when I searched “marriage” on social media, I saw so many people already thriving in the space with large followings. I started during COVID when everything was online, and I remember wondering, What else do I have to say? It felt like everything had already been said, and that led to imposter syndrome—questioning whether my voice really mattered.
But I chose to move forward anyway, believing that the sky is big enough for everyone to shine. If I had a message, there would be people out there who needed to hear it. I reminded myself that success doesn’t come from waiting until we’re confident—it comes from showing up, even when we’re uncertain. With time, people began to notice my content, follow me, and engage. Just like I believed, those who needed my message found me.
Another challenge was getting people to trust me with their marriage problems. Beyond the public content I shared, I offered private sessions, but I often wondered, Why would anyone trust me with something so personal? Again, imposter syndrome crept in.
I overcame this by staying consistent. When people see you show up repeatedly with valuable insights, it builds credibility. I realized I didn’t need to convince anyone—I just needed to position myself as someone who knows what they’re doing. That wasn’t about proving anything to others; it was about how I showed up for myself. Was my content valuable? Was it helping people? As I stayed true to that, people began to reach out for private sessions, and that was the breakthrough moment.
Is there a milestone or achievement you’re really proud of that you’d like to share?
A milestone I’m really proud of is building a globally recognized brand. Since we started private sessions, we’ve had clients from about 15 countries so far. That’s huge for me—especially in a field where many others do similar work. The fact that people see the value in what I offer, trust my knowledge on relationships and marriage, and seek help from around the world is something I deeply appreciate and take pride in.
Women are making big moves in workplaces around the world, leading alongside their male counterparts. What are your thoughts on women in leadership today?
I’m really proud to see more women stepping into leadership roles. I’ve always believed that leadership isn’t about gender—it’s about the individual. We’re all born with the potential to lead; it’s just a matter of harnessing that ability wherever we are.
Leadership is about how we show up, how we believe in ourselves, and how we navigate challenges. I’m not surprised that many women are doing amazing things in society today. Just as men are given opportunities to lead, women should be too—because leadership isn’t gender-specific.
It’s about recognizing and seizing opportunities, staying committed, and serving others with your gifts and talents. Anyone—man or woman—can lead. I’m encouraged by the progress we’re seeing and hopeful that even more women will continue to rise into leadership, just as men have. Together, we can make the world a better place.
What advice would you give to future women leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs?
For aspiring entrepreneurs:
My first advice is simple—just start. Start with what you have and where you are. Don’t let imposter syndrome shrink your confidence or make you overthink. Conditions will never be perfect, so don’t wait for them to be. You’re better off starting and failing than never starting at all. In fact, failure is often the best opportunity to grow.
If you’re passionate about something, take that first step. Yes, it may be rough at the beginning, and no, it won’t be perfect—but that’s how you learn. Every setback is a chance to improve. When you start, you create the opportunity to succeed. But if you never start, that opportunity doesn’t exist. That’s my core advice for anyone looking to launch something new.
For women leaders:
Being a woman is a privilege—not a limitation. We are just as equipped as men to lead and succeed. My encouragement to women in leadership is to collaborate more, support each other, and remember that there’s room for all of us to shine. The sky is big enough for everyone.
Each of us has unique strengths. We don’t need to mimic others—we just need to be excellent at what we do. That’s the beauty of leadership. When we embrace our differences and lead with confidence in our own fields, we not only empower ourselves but also enrich society as a whole.
Please insert website or social media links (if any):
🌐 https://ruthsmarriage.com
📸 https://www.instagram.com/ruthsmarriage?igsh=aXB1cG9mODRvN2Zp
