Building Community and Connection in Business with Ruth Ellen Elinski
Community is often talked about as a value.
But for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and local economies, community is a critical driver of resilience, growth, and long-term success.
In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we will welcome Ruth Ellen Elinski, Associate State Director of the Arizona SBDC Network, an entrepreneur and leader deeply committed to supporting small business development and community impact.
Ruth Ellen has launched multiple businesses, including co-founding PinDrop® Travel Trailers, an award-winning manufacturing company recognized as one of America’s Top 100 Small Businesses by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 2024. Her work spans entrepreneurship, nonprofit leadership, and statewide economic development, helping communities and business owners access the tools, resources, and connections they need to grow.
In Building Community and Connection in Business, we explore:
• Why community is essential for small business success
• How connection strengthens local economies and entrepreneurs
• The role of leadership in building sustainable ecosystems
• Lessons from launching and scaling businesses in rural communities
• Practical ways organizations can support and empower business owners
🎙️ Hosted by Stephen Sakach and Tullio Siragusa
🎧 Produced by Martha Huerta
Strong businesses are built in strong communities.
Associate State Director, Arizona SBDC Network
Ruth Ellen Elinski has lived in Arizona since 2004 and is the Associate State Director the Arizona Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network. An entrepreneur, Ruth Ellen has launched multiple businesses and has educational training in accounting, management, budgeting, marketing, and manufacturing. She co-founded PinDrop® Travel Trailers, an award-winning travel trailer manufacturing company 7 years ago, which is based in rural and historic Miami, Arizona. Her company, PinDrop®, was designated one of America's Top 100 Small Businesses by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 2024 and is included in the prestigious Co-100 list. Ruth Ellen has additional experience as a non-profit director, leading alongside a 20-member Board of Directors. She is a Fellow of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership's Flinn Brown Leadership Academy, is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer, and has a degree in Public Affairs and Management from Indiana University's School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA). Ruth Ellen is a previous graduate and former board member of Verde Valley Leadership. She currently serves on the Cottonwood Oak Creek School District Governing Board and in 2023 was selected as a member of Governor Hobbs' Educator Retention Task Force.
