Ruffin Mitchener, FOUNDER OF Brydge Club IS REDEFINING WHO GETS TO HAVE a seat AT THE investment TABLE.

Her angel investment firm is helping founders not only secure funding, but actually understand the ecosystem they’re entering into. Through her work with communities like The 10th House, where she’s led conversations on everything from investor mindsets to leveraging social platforms for capital, Mitchener brings a refreshingly modern take to an industry that’s felt far too exclusive for far too long.

Read more about Ruffin’s journey in the C&C 100 interview below.

Growing up, what were some of the earliest lessons you were taught about money? Was money something that was openly discussed at home?

Both of my parents were in real estate, so business was a regular dinner conversation growing up. I used to tune it out, but now I'm incredibly grateful for it. My dad started his career as a CPA and naturally pushed me toward that path too. At the time I didn't fully appreciate it, but understanding a balance sheet and how to read financials has been one of the most valuable skills as a business owner and investor.

You’ve built your career as an angel investor—what initially drew you to this space, and what has kept you in it?

I wanted to be a founder and when I started exploring that world, I quickly learned about the funding gap. All-female founded teams receive less than 2% of venture capital, and less than 15% of VC decision-makers are women. I realized the problem wasn't that women weren't founding enough companies. It was that the people controlling capital weren't reflecting the world we live in. Investors decide what gets funded, what gets built and ultimately what the future looks like. I wanted to be in that seat, deploying capital towards the problems that actually matter to me.

What pep talk would you give a friend who’s struggling to negotiate confidently—whether it’s a job offer or raising capital for a business?

If you're raising capital, remember — investors are lucky to get a piece of what you're building. You're not asking for a favor, you're offering an opportunity. Go into every pitch and negotiation with that mentality. Investors and hiring managers can smell desperation from a mile away, and the moment you start negotiating from a place of scarcity, you've lost leverage. Do your homework, know your numbers, and come in anchored to your value. Confidence isn't about having all the answers. It's about knowing you have something great to offer.

“I realized the problem wasn't that women weren't founding enough companies. It was that the people controlling capital weren't reflecting the world we live in.”

What’s something you wish more people understood about building wealth over time?

Your learning compounds just like your returns do. The biggest mistake I see women make is pulling out or stopping altogether the moment they see a loss. The market will dip. Your portfolio will have bad quarters. That is not a signal that you're a bad investor. That's just investing. Every mistake, every down quarter, every uncomfortable moment is teaching you something. The women who build real wealth are the ones who stay in, stay consistent, and let both their money and their knowledge grow over time. Start early, invest consistently, and trust the process. Time is the most powerful asset you have — don't waste it on the sidelines.

How should women think about money in their 20s vs. their 40s?

Your 20s are all about building your foundation; think emergency savings, a high-yield savings account, maxing out your retirement accounts. It sounds unsexy but that base is what gives you the freedom to take risks later. By the time you're entering your 30s and 40s, you've ideally got more disposable income and more financial clarity about what you actually want. That's when you have the wiggle room to take bigger swings, like angel investing.

How has your relationship with money evolved as you’ve advanced in your career?

Early in my career, money wasn't my priority— learning was. I was willing to take a lower salary to work at startups because I knew the education I'd get was worth more than the paycheck. But as I've progressed in my career, my relationship with money has shifted. Now I want to earn more so I can reinvest it into my career and business. My mindset has shifted from money for survival to money as a tool, and that changed everything about how I make decisions.

If someone wanted to start building wealth today but felt overwhelmed or intimidated, what’s the first mindset shift you’d encourage?

You don't need a finance degree or a six-figure salary to start building wealth. You just need curiosity, consistency, and the willingness to start somewhere — even if that somewhere is small. Every investor you admire started with their first $500 or $1,000 investment. Shift your mindset from "I don't know enough yet" to "I'll learn by doing." Get in the rooms where women are chatting about deals and investing. And remember, there is no such thing as a dumb question!

What does financial freedom look like to you these days?

Financial freedom to me is optionality. It’s the ability to make decisions based on what I actually want, not out of pressure or fear. It looks like taking a random Tuesday off to spend the day with my daughter just because I can. It looks like packing up and working remotely from North Carolina for two weeks to be close to my family without asking anyone's permission. It's not a number in a bank account, it's the life that number makes possible.

What’s the most important financial or career lesson you’ve learned the hard way so other women won’t have to?

You don’t need to spend $200K on an MBA to start a business or be successful in your career. Attending UCLA Business school was an absolute privilege, but building my personal brand has opened far more doors for me. The network, the credibility, the knowledge—you can build all of that through real experience, the right community, and betting on yourself early.