We see behind the scenes of a LOT of nonprofit consulting businesses. On today’s podcast, we’re talking about trends that we are seeing for those who are finding success this year.

Discover how narrowing your niche and building strategic relationships can unlock a steady stream of ideal clients. Learn the power of offering "done-for-you" services to provide immense value while commanding premium prices.

Imagine a world where ambitious entrepreneurs gather, unbound by geographical constraints, to forge unbreakable bonds and propel their businesses to new heights. In this unfiltered conversation, you'll be a fly on the wall as Jess and Cindy prepare for our upcoming Mastermind retreat. From cross-country flights and cozy Airbnb sanctuaries to curating local flavors and fostering an environment ripe for vulnerability, every detail is meticulously orchestrated to cultivate a judgment-free zone where entrepreneurial dreams can flourish.

Jennie Armstrong, founder of Wild Awake and Delve, started her second business when she kept getting people who weren’t her core audience asking for her services.

Jennie shares the behind-the-scenes journey of transitioning from a solopreneur to building a thriving consulting firm and online program - under the banner of two brands. Discover her strategies for attracting ideal clients, creating irresistible offers, and managing a remote team - all while serving as an elected state representative.

Are you struggling to find the right partners to accelerate your nonprofit consulting business growth? In this candid conversation, Dana Snyder, CEO of Missions to Movement, shares her invaluable insights on building strategic partnerships that drive revenue and impact.

With over 7 years of experience in the nonprofit space, Dana reveals the behind-the-scenes strategies that have enabled her to generate over 60% of her annual revenue through creative partnerships, paid speaking engagements, and her highly successful Monthly Giving Summit.

Discover Dana's approach to identifying win-win-win opportunities, structuring mutually beneficial agreements, and leveraging her assets to create compelling value propositions that partners can't resist. From negotiating equitable compensation to tracking meaningful KPIs, Dana holds nothing back.

Imagine pouring countless hours of unpaid labor into cultivating a vibrant online community, only to face the daunting decision of monetizing it. That's the raw reality Jess confronted with her nonprofit consultants' group, Build Better Together. In this unfiltered convo, Jess pulls you into the emotional whirlwind of pivoting a once-free offering, sharing the psychological toll and resilience required.

From agonizing over potentially alienating loyal members to weathering scathing criticisms questioning her integrity, Jess holds nothing back. Yet her vulnerability gives way to triumph as the vast majority rallied behind the change, empowering her vision. Discover how this pivotal shift transformed the community's dynamics, fostering deeper engagement, generous knowledge-sharing, and an environment of mutual respect.

But behind the tactics lies a profound lesson in nurturing communities aligned with your values. Witness Jess's journey from trepidation to fulfillment as she cultivated this cherished digital space. Her tenacity exemplifies the mindset shift required to monetize your offerings without compromising authenticity.

You know that feeling of dread when someone asks you to do unpaid work? That sinking sensation that you're being taken advantage of, yet again? Well, if you're a nonprofit consultant, requests for free labor might hit a little too close to home.

But what if there was a way to turn those asks into opportunities to get properly compensated for your expertise? In this refreshingly candid discussion, we pull back the curtain on a topic that's often brushed under the rug: referral fees.

In this unfiltered glimpse into her entrepreneurial journey, Maria Rio pulls back the curtain on the relentless work ethic, strategic systems, and authentic team-building approach that is skyrocketing her firm's rapid growth.

With refreshing candor, Maria also confesses the challenges she's faced - from difficult hiring decisions to struggles with boundaries and self-care amidst her relentless work ethic. Her resilience and commitment to constant growth will leave you feeling empowered to tackle your own entrepreneurial obstacles with renewed clarity and determination.

Get an inside look at the behind-the-scenes financials, marketing challenges, and partnership opportunities around hosting retreats and events in your business.

Both Kamilah and Jess lost money (and not just a little) hosting their first in-person events. Yet, they continue to explore this business model for its ability to facilitate powerful in-person connections in an online world.

In this raw conversation, Kamilah shares her experience hosting annual luxury retreats for Black and brown women entrepreneurs and the pivots her business has gone through.

Jess discusses her virtual and in-person events for nonprofit fundraisers and consultants and her learnings around pricing, format, content, and size that create an intimate experience.

They both explore potential sponsorships and partnerships to make their events more financially viable in the future while remaining aligned to their personal brands.

Bored of boring? This conversation on the Confessions podcast brings a spark of joy.

Maryanne Dersh of Courageous Communication infuses playfulness into the often too-serious nonprofit sector. She shares how she’s been able to move beyond heaviness and limitation into ease and flow — in a way that’s sustainable as a business owner.

We discuss the root causes of nonprofit drudgery and how to transform that energetically. Maryanne explains why it’s essential we give ourselves permission to have fun and prioritize enjoyment. She offers insights on self-care, managing difficult emotions skillfully, and building true confidence.

Should nonprofit consultants write a book to grow their business? Many purpose-driven entrepreneurs ponder this strategic question as they aim to establish their authority and reach new audiences.

Jenny Mitchell generously shares her first-hand experience collaborating with 11 women leaders to produce the book “Embracing Ambition” in just 12 months. She breaks down the full process from initial conception to securing a publisher and coordinating author retreats for writing and editing. Jenny is remarkably transparent about the financial model and initial investment required. Writing and publishing the book cost over $30,000 when factoring in expenses like editorial services, author gifts and hotel accommodations. However, Jenny maintains it was worth the meaningful conversations sparked about authentic women’s leadership journeys.

With over 25 years of experience in the sector, Jenny Mitchell is perfectly positioned to provide this rare glimpse behind the curtain.

How can nonprofit consultants better manage their finances, cashflow, and profitability?

It's a common pain point that keeps many consultants up at night. You're not alone!

Tune into this conversation on Confessions with Jess and Cindy with Carleen Dehaney, Founder and Principal of FXO Consulting. With over a decade of experience guiding consultancies and nonprofits, she shares her proven framework for getting your numbers in order.

Learn how to calculate your gross and net profits to know where you stand each month. Discover easy-to-use budget forecasting models to plan for the future and make informed decisions about growth. Plus, strategies to improve cash flow management when working with nonprofits who (sadly) often pay late.

Carleen also tackles the mindsets and behaviours that hold many back from getting financially savvy. As she reminds us, "If you don't take care of the business, it won't survive and then you can't help anybody."

Shit happens. As much as we plan and organize, there is so much about running a business that is out of our control.

Which is why we invited risk expert Rosalie Ennes to the podcast - to talk about how to manage risk in your consulting business.

A risk management strategy can help you plan for the future, protect yourself from bad things happening, and also help you consider and calculate the upside of your business.

If you're feeling stuck in the feast or famine cycle of consulting, wondering if you'll ever achieve consistent success, then you are not alone! Building a thriving business as a consultant can feel like a rollercoaster, with moments of abundance followed by periods of uncertainty and doubt. It's time to break free from this cycle and create a sustainable, fulfilling business that brings you steady income and joy. Let's explore how to make that transition from consultant to successful business owner a reality.

Running a 7-figure nonprofit consultancy is a dream for so many consultants, but we’re often held back by the fear of being overworked or overwhelmed. Find out how this business owner achieves success while maintaining balance and flexibility.

This is Shavonn's story:

Shavonn Richardson, the visionary behind Think and Ink Grant Consulting, was inspired to start her nonprofit consulting business after facing the intricacies of grant writing firsthand as a nonprofit leader and a funder. Her unique perspective led her to establish Think and Ink Grant Consulting, with a mission to empower nonprofits by providing strategic consulting, comprehensive research, and efficient grant management services. Shavonn's journey is characterized by her unwavering faith and a deep sense of purpose, further fueled by the revelation of her family's multi-generational involvement in this impactful work.

Kara, a hospitality pro turned marketing pro, reveals her secret to balancing a thriving co-working space alongside a booming marketing agency. But what unexpected confession does she share about her business journey? Dive into this episode for an eye-opening revelation that will transform how you approach your own business ventures.

This is Kara's story:

Kara's journey into the world of business ventures began with a passion for marketing and sales, which eventually led to the creation of KC Creative. Her deep understanding of the evolving digital landscape prompted the expansion of her services to include social media marketing and content creation. Her involvement with nonprofits, driven by a desire to support and uplift her community, opened new doors for collaboration and partnerships. With a keen eye for relationship-building, Kara's approach to consulting with nonprofits focuses on genuine interest and understanding, paving the way for impactful collaborations. Balancing her marketing business and the acquisition of a co-working space is inspiring for anyone who has multiple passions.

Renee's journey began with a transformative experience at a previous job. Feeling unfulfilled in a hierarchical and unsupportive environment, she made the courageous decision to seek change. After a period of self-reflection and regrouping, she emerged with a newfound clarity of purpose. Through her blog, she shared her reflections and learnings, creating a space for others to relate and engage in meaningful conversations. This experience led her to establish the Ross Collective, a platform where she collaborates with an array of talented individuals, sharing a common goal of advocating for equity and inclusion. Renee's story is one of resilience and growth, a testament to the power of embracing change and turning adversity into opportunity. Her journey illustrates the importance of fostering open dialogue and building positive, collaborative relationships, which have become the cornerstone of her work in the nonprofit sector.

With 31 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Steven Screen is a fundraising expert and the co-founder of The Better Fundraising Company. His extensive background in fundraising and agency work has equipped him with valuable insights and expertise in helping organizations with their fundraising strategies.

Get ready to be amazed by the power of email and the surprising marketing strategy that transformed his client acquisition game. Dive into this eye-opening conversation to unlock the key to attracting more nonprofit clients and making a meaningful impact in the sector.

Ready to uncover the secrets to successful collaboration and community building for business growth? Today on the Confessions podcast, social media and content marketing expert, Caroline Griffin joins us to share how she has leveraged collaboration and community to do less work and still grow her business.

Have you heard these three myths about building an anti-capitalist consultancy? Myth 1: Anti-capitalist means you can't make money. Myth 2: Consulting ethically means sacrificing profits. Myth 3: Implementing anti-capitalist principles is too complicated. But fear not, I'm about to reveal the truth behind these myths. Get ready for a game-changing approach to sustainable and socially conscious business operations. Stay tuned for the surprising strategy!

Ever felt like you're stuck in a loop of always trying to stay positive, scared of missing out, and endlessly comparing yourself to others in the nonprofit consulting world? This constant pressure can really mess with your head, leaving you anxious and your mental health taking a hit. It's a tough cycle that can make your work life feel like you're running on empty. This is why understanding the mental and emotional battles that come with entrepreneurship is super important for nonprofit consultants and coaches looking to grow their businesses without burning out.

Join us on this episode where we get real with Shulamit Ber Levtov, a therapist who's a pro at helping entrepreneurs navigate these choppy waters. We're diving into the nitty-gritty of mental health for entrepreneurs, tackling the big challenges head-on, and sharing ways to come out on top with a healthier mindset and a business that's not just surviving, but thriving. Get ready for some eye-opening conversations and tips that could change the game for you.