Today’s episode is a goldmine for anyone in the nonprofit space ready to shift from freelancer to bona fide business visionary. We sit down with the brilliant Miriam Dicks of 180 Management Group, who shares her evolution and the strategic pivot that transformed her consulting. She'll unravel the often misunderstood fabric of operations, revealing how it's the backbone of every successful organization—and yes, it can be as sexy as it is essential. You’ll learn about the real grind behind turning your skillset into a systematized powerhouse, the truth about balancing the roles of employee and entrepreneur and building a brand that resonates with your values and expertise. Prepare for an episode rich with insights, and don't forget to connect with us after the show to continue the conversation. Let's transform your drive into a thriving, operational engine.

Today, we are super excited to introduce Heather Nelson, Founder and President of boutique fundraising consultancy, BridgeRaise. Her agency is dedicated to forging corporate partnerships for mid-sized charities. In this episode, we'll explore her journey from an individual consultant to the leader of a thriving firm and discuss her strategic shift to the agency model. As we chat, you'll learn how Heather figured out the tricky world of pricing and choosing the right clients - choices that help her live a full life and run a successful business. She keeps it real with us, sharing the highs and lows of her work. So, come on in and join us for a down-to-earth talk that'll give you some golden nuggets for your own nonprofit work. Get ready to get inspired!

Let’s consider this – if you're immersed in the nonprofit consulting world, the constant hustle to provide affordable, effective solutions can feel like an uphill battle. But our guest on the Confessions podcast, Cherian Koshy, has masterfully tackled this challenge, not only by creating an innovative AI resource but also by navigating the intricate process of nurturing and then selling this brainchild in a multi-seven-figure deal.

Get ready for some raw, honest insight into the journey from concept to creation to cashing out. Cherian spills the details on the necessary grind, the mindset shift involved in scaling a product, and the secrets to sealing a lucrative tech sale.

In this episode, we welcome Sarah Olivieri, mastermind behind PivotGround, to share her blueprint for balancing a successful nonprofit consultancy while juggling the responsibilities of single parenthood. From strategic shifts to innovative program structuring, Sarah is candid about the significance of time management, profitability, and the personal lifestyle choices that fuel her success. She's redefining the game, from scrapping caffeine to transforming webinar strategies, all while keeping an eye on engaging and retaining her audience. Brace yourselves for a dose of reality and wisdom as we explore Sarah's unique approach to optimizing her consulting practice without sacrificing the essentials. Tune in for a session packed with insights and the honest confessions of a nonprofit consultant trailblazer!

This episode zeroes in on the coveted goal for all consultants: securing high-ticket clients. We're joined by Katelyn, a nonprofit email consultant who's not only mastered the art of attracting premium contracts but has also built a thriving six-figure business. As a mother and entrepreneur, Katelyn is a testament to the power of integrating professional ambition with personal life, all while sidestepping the relentless hustle culture. She's unpacking her strategies for securing upper-tier clients and doing it in a way that honors her love for purposeful work and being a present parent.

In today's episode, our guest Tammy Zonker, founder and president of Fundraising Transformed, peeled back the curtain to her successful business model – and to a few confessions. What she's built is not just a business but a thriving community that champions work-life balance and profitability through diverse and strategic offerings for nonprofit organizations. We're getting real about the boundary-setting, strategic planning, and partnership synergy that makes Tammy's operation soar. So, tune in and join us on a journey that goes beyond revenue to the heart of impactful and intentional nonprofit work.

In this episode of we're rolling out the red carpet for 'Layne, the Auctionista.'' Layne is a master of the gala stage. They shared serious confessions about the thrilling yet demanding live fundraising world. Or should we say, philanthrotaining. Yes, you read that right!

Now - think for a minute - if you’re business was centered around taking the stage at live fundraising events, the last few years probably have been pretty brutal.

But Layne has navigated that and found success in this changing world.

In today's episode of 'Confessions with Jess and Cindy,' we sat down with Lynne Wester, an OG nonprofit consultant who built her empire from ground up, all sparked by the urgent need to fund her dog's surgery. Now leading a 16-strong team, Lynne's journey through the shifts in healthcare consulting, her strategic use of webinars, and hands-on approach to change management, has been nothing short of inspiring. She's a testament to the transformative power of authenticity, hard work, and the courage to stay true to your core values in business. Tune into this episode to hear Lynne's raw and real success story, and grasp invaluable insights that could ignite your next breakthrough. Don't miss out on this game-changing episode!

As nonprofit consultants, we're all in the same boat. The way we work, the teams we build and the cultures we cultivate, they all matter. But often, we fail to prioritize what truly matters – ourselves, and the well-being of the people who make the day-to-day business grind possible. In today's episode, our powerhouse guests at Evenings and Weekends Consulting, Paul Taylor and Laëtitia Eyssartel, peeled back the curtain to their successful business model – and to a few confessions. What they've built is not just a business but a thriving environment that champions work-life balance and fair working conditions. We're getting real about the radical changes they've made to the established rules of the nonprofit sector. So, tune in!

Summits are a powerful tool for networking, lead generation, and collaboration. As a business owner or nonprofit leader, understanding how to effectively host a summit can propel your business forward and expand your reach globally. In this episode, we are sitting down with Krista Miller, CEO and Founder of *Summit in a Box*. Krista breaks down the complexities of summit hosting and guides us on how to create a worthwhile event that both attendees and sponsors can rave about!

What are the secrets to creating a summit that both attendees and sponsors will rave about? How do you balance summit planning with your work-life? Join us as Krista answers these questions and more, providing insights into everything from scheduling to promotion. This episode is not just a conversation; it’s a masterclass in making your summit a success.

On this episode of "Confessions with Jess and Cindy," we're joined by Sonia Daniels, founder and CEO of S. Daniels Consulting, who has successfully grown her consulting business for nonprofit clients over six years. In this candid conversation, Sonia takes us through her unique business journey, starting as a side project and evolving into a full-time passion. We delve into the challenging decisions she's made, her strategies for supporting employees during maternity leave, and how she balances personal passions and business responsibilities. Stick around for Sonia's valuable insights on recognizing team gaps, the importance of open communication, and the role of strategic pricing in the consulting world.

In this episode, we dive into a thought-provoking discussion on marketing strategies and the undeniable impact of authenticity in the industry. We unpack the confessions from the ICON conference, addressing the blurred line between self-promotion and genuine expertise, and share our experiences on making strategic business investments. Whether you're navigating the world of nonprofit coaching and consulting or aiming to expand your business, this episode will empower you to carve your path to success.

In this episode of Confessions podcast, we're diving deep into the world of recurring revenue. We share our experiences and insights on the benefits of offering monthly options, the shift from one-off projects to long-term contracts, and the importance of marketing and positioning these offerings. Plus, we discuss the value of addressing pain points and saving time for our nonprofit clients.

Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s especially timely as we head into the holiday season: gift giving. Whether you’re looking to show appreciation to clients, strengthen relationships, or simply spread some joy, the art of thoughtful and purposeful gift giving is something that can truly make a difference in our work as coaches and consultants.

This week's episode of Confessions featured the amazing Dr. Asia Lyons, who shared her journey to building a thriving consulting business serving youth organizations. Dr. Asia's story is a reminder that we should never stop pushing boundaries or embracing new possibilities in our work. The only limits are the ones we place on ourselves!

In this week's episode of The Confessions Podcast, we spoke with Stephanie Skryzowski, founder of 100 Degrees Consulting, about how she built her team to over 16 people. By delegating work to her team, Stephanie is able to step into her role as CEO and focus on strategy, culture, and business development. Building a team is challenging, but also rewarding. To hear more about how Stephanie scaled her business through building a team, listen to the full episode. You'll come away with actionable insights to start putting into practice in your own firm.

Jess and I just sat down with Christina Edwards for this episode that will light a fire under your consulting business. Christina has built a multiple six-figure nonprofit consulting firm over the last 15 years by unapologetically embracing abundance in all its forms. If you're ready to stop playing small in your business and start embracing abundance, listen to this episode. Christina will inspire you to claim what you're worth, follow your passion, and get comfortable with being different. The opportunities are endless if we have the courage to color outside the lines.

In this episode, we're diving into how our investments in our businesses have evolved over the years—and the life-changing lessons we've learned along the way. Early on, we were hungry for any and all business advice we could get. We took all the courses, joined all the programs, and tried to model what the "experts" were teaching. But here's the truth: most of that just didn't align with our nonprofit audience or values. We learned that there are no shortcuts to finding what works for your unique business.

In this episode of the Confessions podcast, we chatted with Lucia Cesaroni, an opera singer, entrepreneur and self-styled evangelist for bringing business and the arts closer together. Lucia shared her journey of pivoting from a successful opera career to launching her own consulting firm focused on empowering corporate executives through performance skills training.

On this week’s Confessions podcast, we had an inspiring conversation with Rowena Veylan, founder of The New School of Fundraising. Rowena shared her journey to launching a nonprofit consulting business in the midst of COVID-19 and her vision for empowering community leaders through accessible education.