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. Caroline Griffin's journey from the world of nonprofit internships to establishing her own thriving business is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of community. Her unconve...
Mar 21, 2024•37 min
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! In this episode of Confessions with Jess a...
Mar 14, 2024•50 min
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 consult...
Mar 07, 2024•41 min•Ep. 80
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...
Feb 29, 2024•46 min•Ep. 79
Today, we are super excited to introduce Heather Nelson, Founder and President ofat 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. Key Highlights: The Agency Advantage: Dive deeper with Heather as she shares how her passion for teamwork and client success st...
Feb 22, 2024•41 min•Ep. 78
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 con...
Feb 15, 2024•47 min•Ep. 79
"I now get paid mostly through clients, nonprofit executive directors who enroll in my group program called Thrive and stay there usually for at least a year. My big pet peeve as the thing I can't do that crushes my soul is when you give clients support and they don't implement. I just need it for my own sanity for clients to implement." - Sarah Olivieri In this episode, we welcome Sarah Olivieri, mastermind behind PivotGround, to share her blueprint for balancing a successful nonprofit consulta...
Feb 08, 2024•52 min•Ep. 77
"It's okay to have a small list. It's good to have a small list because they'll be more engaged. There are people who actually care about you." - Katelyn Baughan 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 integr...
Feb 01, 2024•37 min•Ep. 76
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 i...
Jan 25, 2024•49 min•Ep. 75
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...
Jan 18, 2024•39 min•Ep. 74
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. Tune into this episode to hear Lynne's raw and real success story, and grasp invaluable...
Jan 11, 2024•38 min•Ep. 73
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. We're getting real about the radical changes they've made to the established rules of the nonprofit sector. So, tune in! Key Highlights: Embrace Decent Work: This episode has showcased how Paul and Laëtitia's business, Evenings and Weekends Consulting, not only talks the talk but walks the walk. T...
Dec 21, 2023•47 min•Ep. 72
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 secret...
Dec 14, 2023•52 min•Ep. 71
In 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 to supporting employees during maternity leave, and how she balances p...
Dec 07, 2023•42 min•Ep. 70
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 su...
Nov 30, 2023•23 min•Ep. 69
“I gave a very clear example about being in pain, and when you’re in that level of pain, you are willing to literally do whatever it takes.” - Jess 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 ...
Nov 23, 2023•26 min•Ep. 68
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. Key Highlights: The Importance of Thoughtful Gifting As nonprofit consultants, we understand the significance of making meaningful connections. That'...
Nov 16, 2023•18 min•Ep. 67
"Working for myself is a form of rest because I get to choose my clients and I don't have what I experienced in the workplace when I was working in the nonprofit sector, which is racial battle fatigue" - Dr. Asia Lyons 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 ...
Nov 09, 2023•43 min•Ep. 66
"I think as business owners, or maybe just me personally, I like to go really fast. So slowing down to speed up is so painstakingly hard for me, but I know it's also necessary." - Stephanie Skryzowski As consultants and business owners, one of the biggest challenges we face is scaling our business in a sustainable way. A key part of scaling is building a team to support your growth. In this week's episode of The Confessions Podcast, we spoke with Stephanie Skryzowski, founder of 100 Degrees Cons...
Nov 02, 2023•50 min•Ep. 65
"I'm selling unapologetically through the whole thing and that's something I've really had to work on and work towards." - Christina Edwards 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, list...
Oct 26, 2023•42 min•Ep. 64
“Every investment I've made in my business has been a learning experience, even if it didn't bring the desired results. I see these investments as opportunities for growth and improvement.” - Cindy Wagman 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 m...
Oct 19, 2023•37 min•Ep. 63
“How we present is directly tied to how present we are. We can never be our most passionate, communicative, vulnerable, inspiring selves if we are in our own heads and doubting ourselves the whole time” - Lucia Cesaroni 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 consul...
Oct 12, 2023•54 min•Ep. 62
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. Some of the biggest takeaways: Embrace possibility and abundance, even when times seem uncertain. Rowena started her business during the pandemic after seeing a gap she could fill. Focus on relat...
Oct 05, 2023•49 min•Ep. 61
"As much as I know the market has embraced AgentsC, I also believe that there are some organizations, because of the makeup of AgentsC and because of the activism of its founder and CEO, kind of make a choice not to work with or partner or invite us to support their work. But I also just celebrate those who have partnered with us and come to us and sought our help and expertise. And that's where I put the lens." - Olumide Akerewusi Mide Akerewusi, founder of AgentsC, joined us for an inspiring c...
Sep 28, 2023•47 min•Ep. 60
“And it was the first time, too, that I felt like, oh, man, I thought I was an entrepreneur. I thought this was in my bones. Why can't I figure it out? ” - Meredith Noble Meredith Noble knows what it’s like to start from the ground up. On today’s episode of the podcast, she shares the ups and downs of growing Learn Grant Writing, from having her office literally explode to tripling her revenue by making a few key changes. Her story is inspiring and her advice is spot on for anyone looking to tak...
Sep 21, 2023•48 min
"I think, like everybody, there's always imposter syndrome, right? You know, this feeling of, am I really that good? Or am I as good as I pretend to be on TV?" - Amy Eisenstein For many nonprofit consultants, the temptation to diversify services is ever-present. This approach, although seemingly effective, can dilute one's specialty, leaving you wading through tasks that might not align with your core passion. If Amy Eisenstein's story sounds familiar, you know the challenge: offering myriad ser...
Sep 14, 2023•42 min
In this episode of the Confessions podcast, we have Danielle Gines, the founder of DG Consulting. Danielle specializes in curriculum development and design, instructional design, English language learners, adult learners, nonprofit management, and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Danielle discusses the challenges and fears she faced when choosing a niche for her business. She also explains the various services she offers, including curriculum development, curriculum revision,...
Sep 07, 2023•39 min
"Let go of what's not working. Let go of the things that are keeping you and preventing you from saying yes and go all in with your heart and your brain and just do great things." - Cindy Wagman Join Cindy, Jess, Rhea, and Brooke as they discuss the power and impact of their mastermind in this episode of the Confessions podcast. They share their experiences and insights from their biannual in-person meetings, highlighting the transformative nature of these gatherings. The group emphasizes the im...
Aug 31, 2023•32 min
“A majority of what secures you the proposal or the winning bid is your relationship to that organization.” - Cindy Wagman In this eye-opening episode, we dive headfirst into the world of Request for Proposals (RFPs) within the nonprofit consulting industry. We’ll delve deeper into the pros and cons of RFPs for nonprofit consultants and share our personal experiences and offer some valuable advice for those who choose to pursue them. From building relationships to customizing proposals, we’ll re...
Aug 24, 2023•14 min
“Follow your gut. If it's not so bad, but you're just like I'm not interested, double your prices and see what they say.” - Cindy Wagman In today's episode, we are thrilled to introduce a brand-new format for the show. We will delve into the common struggle of choosing clients and openly share our own experiences of dealing with difficult clients. From setting boundaries to raising prices, we offer valuable insights on how to navigate the tricky world of client selection. Plus, we’ll reveal a cl...
Aug 17, 2023•18 min
