09/01/2025
"Jenny and Friends Tour," Final "Mystery Guest" Colleague Interview -
“How to Bring Your Dreams To Life with Matthew Ratliff”
Matthew gave 4RC its "wings to fly," and now offers me my own "wings" to share my "newbie entrepreneurial" skills with other entrepreneurs (the good, the not so good, and the very ugly) :) experiences of entrepreneurial life!
Matthew "nailed it" when he spoke in this interview about the "key to success in life" is "passion, relationships, communication, and gratitude." I could not get up every AM without a big cup of passion.
Read on to learn more about how this ultra talented bright light from Patrick County has helped hundreds of friends and neighbors from his region and beyond, as he has been responsible for helping many, many small businesses grow and prosper!
1. Can you please share with us a little about your career path at P&H?
I started part-time in the Student Success Center as a specialist for the College Success Coach program in August 2013. As time went on, I wanted to get a better understanding of the college and had the opportunity to work for the P&HCC Foundation and Workforce Division as the Corporate and Donor Relations Coordinator. From there, I stayed in the Workforce Division but moved to the Thomas P. Dalton IDEA Center as the Coordinator of Community Development Programs. This facility is the entrepreneurial hub for P&HCC, and I was able to work with many entrepreneurs through the StartUp MHC program, as well as community members who had an interest in the equipment housed there. As of July of this year, I am now at our Patrick County Site as the Coordinator of Community Education. Having the opportunity to work at P&HCC allows me to see people every day who are not sure what they want to do or how they are going to get there. That is where we can step in and lend them a helping hand. The work that is being done here drives me to help make a difference and has driven me throughout my career, which I believe has contributed to success.
2. Can you tell us about your experience with the StartUp program and how many students have graduated?
When I went to the IDEA Center, I was able to engage with the StartUp MHC program. This program was started by our previous president, Dr. Godwin, in conjunction with the MHC Chamber of Commerce. The purpose of this program is to bring in experts in different areas of business to talk to our local entrepreneurs to share information and guidance on things that these entrepreneurs may find difficult. Owning your own business can be a scary and daunting task, but I believe that opening yourself up to a wealth of knowledge from others that have been in your shoes can help someone navigate any problem that they may be facing in business. Throughout the class, we work on a business plan and a business pitch that the participants will use in order to pitch with the MHC Chamber for some potential funding. Since the program started, we have had 357 graduates, 104 businesses awarded, and the total in cash and in-kind funding is $747,578 that has been awarded.
3. What do you love most about working with entrepreneurs?
I believe what I love most about working with entrepreneurs are all of the ideas and the passion. They find something that is an issue or something that they believe they can do differently, and then they go for it. Over the course of the bootcamp, you can see the wheels turning and see them take the idea that they had at the beginning of the class, critique it, and mold it into something that will work for our area. Even working with the entrepreneurs who do not go through StartUp, I get to watch that idea develop because of the passion that they have for their business and the product or service they are providing.
4. You have had some exciting, recent career title changes. Can you tell us what it means to you to be a Coordinator of Community Education at P&H, with an office now in Patrick County?
I was excited when I was presented the opportunity to be the Coordinator of Community Education at the P&HCC Patrick County Site. Being from and still living in Patrick County, its exciting to work in the community that is home, where I can continue to make a difference with the work already being done at this site. For me, the term Community Education means that I am able to do work that encompasses the community as a whole, from registering someone for classes, to advocating for workforce programs that are new or existing, to working with all of the community agencies that can help students get educated and employed. It has given me the opportunity to have another voice advocating for P&HCC in this part of the service region.
5. When did you first realize your passion for community and higher education? What is your “story?”
My story in higher education started a little different than some. I had a friend who was doing the part-time job that I started out with. She always talked about how much she enjoyed the job and working at the college. She called me one day and told me that she was presented with another opportunity, and that the job would be coming open, and that I should consider applying. I applied and accepted the job, and within just a few weeks I had fallen in love with higher education and the difference that I felt like I was able to make there with the student that came through. It didn’t take long for that enjoyment to turn into a passion for seeing the betterment of the students, who would in turn, make a better and stronger community. As my journey there continued and I worked more with the community, I was able to see what a vibrant and strong community we have here in Martinsville and Henry County, and I know that we will only continue to get stronger.
6. What do you believe are the keys to success in life?
There are so many things that I believe are keys to success, but I would have to say passion, relationships, communication, and gratitude. Find something that you are passionate about and stick to it. When your work or life is driven by something you deeply care about, it will keep you motivated and fueled to do more and more
every day.
Build meaningful relationships with people who will respectfully and lovingly challenge you but will also empathize with you. Being able to go to someone who has your same values and passions will help create a stronger relationship that will continue to help you grow and become more successful. Open and honest communication is a big key to success. Always be respectful but be honest about how you feel about something. That open communication may allow someone else to be enlightened to something they had not considered before. Always be grateful and show gratitude. Success is not always a one-person show, so be grateful for those who help you and show gratitude to God for giving you the abilities that you use to pursue your passions.
7. What are your “dreams” for our community?
My dreams for our community center around connection, opportunity, and empowerment. I envision a place where every individual feels valued, supported, and inspired to grow. I dream of a community where education is accessible to all ages, where lifelong learning is celebrated, and where people come together to share ideas, talents, and cultures. I hope to see more partnerships that bridge gaps, more programs that uplift underserved populations, and more spaces where people feel inspired to be themselves and pursue their goals. Ultimately, my dream is for our community to be a model of creativity, resilience, and hope, a place where everyone has the chance to thrive. I believe we are on the right track to get there.
8. Do you have any passion projects outside of P&H?
For the last few years, I have had the opportunity to be part of the “Back2School” program. Churches throughout our community come together to give out backpacks, supplies, and shoes to students within our community. It is so fulfilling to be a part of something that invests in our youth. I also have the privilege to help teach a Wednesday night class for the middle school kids at my church. It is so gratifying to see them grow and become involved with other ministries
within the church.
9. How do you find daily inspiration to “refill your cup?”
I find daily inspiration by taking just a few minutes every morning to write down something in my notebook that I am thankful for. I take that subject and try to be thankful for that throughout the day, even trying to be thankful for the small things in life. It gives me a few moments that help me reconnect with purpose and joy. On tough days, I lean into gratitude and remind myself that even small steps forward matter.
10. What is some of the best advice you’ve ever heard?
Some of the best advice I ever heard came from our previous president, Dr. Godwin. She always used to say, “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing”. This quote is widely attributed to Stephen R. Covey, the author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. It’s a powerful reminder about the importance of focus and prioritization. Covey used this phrase to emphasize the need to stay aligned with your core values and goals. This always resonated with me because while there are so many initiatives and projects going on at P&HCC, our main thing is and always will be the students.
11. Can you tell us a little about your “newest addition” arriving in December?
My wife and I are overjoyed to share that we’re expecting a baby girl in early December! We feel incredibly blessed and are so excited to begin this new chapter as parents. The anticipation is growing every day, and we truly can’t wait to meet our little girl and welcome her into the world.
12. Is there anything else you would like to share to help keep us all positive and community focused?
One thing I’d love to share is the power of small, intentional acts. Whether it’s a kind word, a helping hand, or simply showing up for someone, these moments build the foundation of a strong and positive community. Making sure we stay curious about each other’s stories, celebrating small wins, and creating spaces where people feel seen and heard are things that keep us connected. I say let’s keep reminding ourselves that we’re all part of something bigger, and that together, we can create a community that uplifts and inspires.
Thank you so much for participating, Matthew! Your words are beautifully written, and comes straight from the heart! Thank YOU for all of your passion and celebration for higher education, students, entrepreneurs, individuality, connection and culture in our community! Please keep shining your bright light for all to see in Patrick County and beyond! Thank you again for helping to give this entrepreneur and her small business a shot! 4RC wouldn't be here without YOU!
Jenny
