From Jamaica to New York City, Ingrid Murray has built her life and businesses with the kind of resilience, discipline, and vision that transforms survival into legacy.

A proud Jamaican entrepreneur and multi-award-winning executive based in New York City, Murray has become known for turning disciplined ambition into thriving enterprise. As Chief Executive Officer of Prospect Cleaning Service Inc., Prospect Environmental Services, and the consumer brand Shantor’s Mood Candle, she has built a portfolio of businesses grounded in operational excellence, strategic leadership, and long-term impact.

Her journey reflects the story of many Caribbean immigrants who arrive in America carrying both enormous responsibility and enormous dreams. What began as a modest operation evolved under Murray’s leadership into a multimillion-dollar enterprise, shaped by consistency, precision, and an uncompromising commitment to excellence.

Today, Murray’s influence extends far beyond business. Through her growing platform, The Real Ingrid Murray, she has emerged as an inspiring voice on entrepreneurship, leadership, manifestation, and generational wealth — particularly for Caribbean women navigating ambition, identity, and reinvention in the diaspora.

In this conversation with About Her Culture, Murray reflects on grief, faith, cultural conditioning, entrepreneurship, and the mindset required to build a life beyond limitation.

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You often speak about building the life you envisioned despite enormous obstacles. When you look back at your early years in Jamaica, what dreams did you carry with you? Did you always believe they were possible?

INGRID: Growing up in Jamaica, I always envisioned a life of impact. I knew I wanted to create change and rise beyond the limitations I saw around me. A lot of people doubted me early on, so I became determined to show the world who I truly was — not who others assumed I would become.

I used to say all the time, “When I go to America, I’m going to be rich.” But it was never only about money. It was about proving to myself that my environment did not define my future. Even when no one else believed in me, I carried that belief within myself.

Today, many people talk about “manifestation,” but your journey shows that vision must also be paired with discipline, resilience, and faith. How do you personally define manifestation?

INGRID: For me, manifestation is about aligning my vision with what God has already designed for my life. It’s not simply wishing for something and waiting for it to appear. It requires discipline, faith, hard work, and obedience.

When your actions align with your purpose, the results can become life changing.

Prospect Cleaning Service Inc. has grown into a major commercial operation with widespread recognition. When you first became involved in the business, did you already envision that level of success?

INGRID: Absolutely. I became involved in Prospect because I immediately saw what it was lacking — and more importantly, what it could become.

I did extensive research on the industry, and I became fascinated by both the opportunities within it and the impact I knew I could create. Mediocrity has never been part of my nature, so from the beginning I envisioned something far greater than what existed at the time.

I always saw expansion, excellence, and transformation.

INGRID: What gave you the conviction to move to the United States, even without certainty?

I came to America searching for my daughter, who had been taken from me years earlier. When we reunited, I knew we needed to remain together.

At the time, I was restricted by the courts from taking her back to Jamaica, so I made the decision to bring my family to the United States instead. It was one of the hardest decisions of my life, but also one of the most important.

INGRID: When did you first realize that people depended on you, and how did that shape the way you make decisions today?

I’ve been a caregiver since I was fourteen years old, helping to take care of my younger brother after my mother immigrated to the United States.

Responsibility became part of my identity very early in life. Because of that, I’ve always approached decisions with a strong sense of purpose and accountability. I understand what it means to carry people, and I don’t take that lightly.

Your life has also included profound personal loss. After the passing of your husband, you continued expanding your businesses and serving your community. How did you find the strength to keep building during such a painful time?

INGRID: Courtney was truly a gift in my life. He helped shape me into the woman I am today.

I have always been someone who pours into others, and having someone genuinely pour back into me only ignited an even greater fire within my soul. I consider myself a legacy builder. My story is still being written, so quitting was never an option.

And beyond that, I made a promise to Courtney that I would never stop.

What role does spirituality play in your life, and how has it shaped your success?

INGRID: I have lived a life filled with ups and downs, losses and victories. I have witnessed God’s work personally — miracles too numerous to count. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that God is real.

One of the defining moments in my life happened at the beginning of the pandemic. In a single day, I lost 90 percent of my clients. For a moment, I lost hope. Then I prayed, and afterward I felt strongly compelled to purchase an electrostatic sprayer and fogging machine using the last money I had in my account.

At first, even my late husband thought it sounded unreasonable, but like always, I asked him to trust me — and he did.

That very day, I was contacted by the MTA, and it became the biggest deal of my career.

Without God, I would be nothing. Every success I have belongs to Him, and I never miss an opportunity to acknowledge that.

How do you know when God is guiding you to act, even when the situation doesn’t make logical sense?

INGRID: God has never failed me — not once.

I’ve noticed that some of my greatest victories often come after seasons of turmoil and uncertainty. Over time, I’ve learned to trust the process, even when it doesn’t immediately make sense.

Faith requires obedience before evidence appears.

INGRID: Can you describe a moment when you had to act without knowing whether it would work?

On February 18, 2020, I made the decision to spend the last of my money on an electrostatic sprayer after seeing early reports about COVID-19 spreading in China.

I believed it would eventually reach the United States, and I wanted to be prepared before everyone else recognized the need. It was a risk, but I trusted my instincts and moved anyway.

That decision changed the trajectory of my business.

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How do you personally navigate fear when making major decisions, especially when others depend on you?

INGRID: From a young age, I recognized that I was capable of doing great things.

Once I become convicted about something, I move with confidence because I trust my ability to figure things out. Betting on myself changed my life. Even if something doesn’t work out perfectly, there is always a lesson in the experience.

Fear cannot become stronger than purpose.

Have you ever experienced discouragement or “badmind” while building your business? How did you handle it?

INGRID: Absolutely.

When I took over the business, especially within Caribbean circles, people questioned why I would want to be “a cleaner.” Even when I explained that I was building systems for the commercial cleaning and building maintenance industry as a CEO, people often looked at me with disbelief.

There were also moments when I sought guidance and support, only to encounter gatekeeping and expensive coaching that offered very little value.

But I learned very quickly that not everyone will understand your vision. Sometimes you have to keep building anyway.

Was there a moment when you realized you were no longer simply surviving, but truly expanding?

INGRID: Yes — when I needed someone to answer my phones and help manage my time effectively.

I remember processing payroll for twenty-five employees and thinking, “Wow, this is real.” I felt proud. I felt like I had truly arrived at a new level.

That moment shifted my perspective completely.

Through initiatives like the Elijah’s Oil Foundation and your mentorship efforts, you continue uplifting other entrepreneurs. Why is helping women see what’s possible so important to you?

INGRID: Growing up without support or people believing in you can be deeply traumatic. When people constantly expect the worst from you, eventually you begin questioning your own worth.

But sometimes all it takes is one person truly listening to you — hearing your vision and reminding you that your life has value.

That feeling stayed with me. It made me want to become the person I never had growing up. I want women to feel seen, heard, and inspired to believe in themselves again.

It’s not only about solving problems. It’s about igniting transformation.

At what point did success become about more than just you?

INGRID: Honestly, it always was.

What began as a simple bet between my husband and me eventually became something much deeper. I’ve always had an obsession with winning, and simply being average was never an option for me.

I understood that my success would impact not only my children and parents, but also my wider community. I wanted my family to experience the things I dreamed about as a child.

Women like myself, especially those working in male-dominated industries, need mentorship, education, and support from people who have already walked the path. Sometimes they simply need someone willing to hold their hand and guide them forward.

Many Caribbean women have big visions but struggle with fear, limited networks, or financial barriers. What mental or cultural obstacles do you believe hold our community back the most?

INGRID: Fear of failure is one of the biggest obstacles.

There’s also a lack of support, and often a lack of self-worth that develops from years of being underestimated or overlooked. Some women are written off because they became mothers young, because they didn’t have access to education, or because no one ever taught them discipline or confidence.

Then there’s the issue of people projecting their own failures onto you. And as Jamaicans would say — sometimes there’s simply too much “badmind.”

Too many people stay trapped in environments that convince them they are incapable of becoming more.

On the other hand, what strengths do Caribbean women possess that make us powerful creators of our own destiny?

INGRID: I believe Caribbean women possess an extraordinary survival instinct.

Many of us were raised around struggle, trauma, or hardship in one form or another, and because of that we developed incredible coping mechanisms and emotional resilience. That survival mentality creates a deep desire to succeed and prove — both to ourselves and to others — that we are capable of more.

The challenge is that many people never move beyond the dreaming phase. But the women who do — especially when paired with the right support system — become unstoppable.

If a woman reading this feels stuck — she has the vision but doesn’t know how to move forward — what practical first steps would you encourage her to take?

INGRID: First, bet on yourself completely — win, lose, or draw.

You can’t succeed or fail if you never try. Write your ideas down. Start where your fear feels the strongest, because often that’s exactly where the greatest opportunities exist.

And remember: a “no” is not always rejection. Sometimes it’s simply a delay.

Doubt is one of the greatest thieves of joy and potential. Don’t allow it to rob you of your future.

When you think about the next chapter of your life, what are you intentionally manifesting now — for your business, your family, and your legacy?

INGRID: I’m manifesting expansion — more businesses, new opportunities, and becoming a gateway for future leaders who need guidance, wisdom, and insight.

Within the next four years, I plan to sell my business and transition into a new season of life abroad. My son, William, will either be in college or pursuing his dream of making it to the NBA, which makes me incredibly proud.

I also see myself remarried, my Elijah’s Oil Foundation impacting an even greater audience, and finally completing the book I’ve postponed for far too long.

Most importantly, I want the legacy I leave behind to show people that discipline, faith, and perseverance can truly transform a life.

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