As a consultant, you probably have thought about growing a team, or hiring subcontractors or even getting work as a subcontractor. Lauren Elyse Tudor, founder of Architect Philanthropic Collective, joins us to share her journey and insights. Lauren's firm focuses on community-centered and diverse philanthropy, leveraging storytelling, strategic marketing, and inclusive fundraising strategies to help small to mid-sized shops thrive.  

In this episode, Lauren opens up about her transition from a successful nonprofit career to entrepreneurship, the challenges she faced, and the valuable lessons she learned along the way. She shares how she built a team that thrives on collaboration and creative problem-solving. But here's the kicker: Lauren's agency operates on a revenue-sharing model that's designed to incentivize growth and ensure fairness. We dive deep into how this model works, why it's a game-changer for her team, and how it aligns with her values-driven approach to business.

In this episode of Confessions with Jess and Cindy, Cindy sits down with fellow nonprofit consultants live at the RAISE conference.

She discusses the power of conferences in business development and knowledge sharing. Join Cindy as she chats with Sabrina Walker Hernandez, Barbara O'Reilly, Diana Farias Heinrich, Frank Velazquez Jr., and the dynamic duo Kristin and Sam from Swaim Strategies. They share their experiences, strategies, and confessions about leveraging conferences for business growth, the importance of getting paid for speaking engagements, and the power of collaboration in the nonprofit sector.

Ever felt the pull of those big fundraising conferences, imagining the potential clients and connections waiting just beyond those booth walls? Cindy sure did! But after two experiences, one exhilarating, the other... well, let's just say "eye-opening," we’re here to share the raw, unfiltered truth about what it's REALLY like to be a small fish in a big conference pond.

Ever felt like you needed a shower after a sales call? You're not alone! This week, we're diving into the world of authentic sales strategies with email marketing queen Kristi Scott.

Kristi spills the tea on her journey from cold-calling tech sales to building her nonprofit consulting business. She shares how she ditched the pushy tactics and found her groove with a more genuine approach that aligns with our sector's values.

We chat about the power of niching down (spoiler alert: it's not as scary as you think), how to leverage workshops for lead generation, and why being part of a consultant community is a game-changer. Kristi even drops a truth bomb about her financial situation that'll make you rethink those picture-perfect Instagram posts.

Ever wondered what it's really like to ditch your nonprofit job and start a consulting business with your work buddy? Today, we're pulling back the curtain on that exact scenario. No sugar-coating, no BS - just the raw, unfiltered truth about what it takes to build a values-driven consulting firm from the ground up.

Sarah Steiger joins us to share the rollercoaster journey of how she and her former boss, Laura, transitioned from nonprofit employees to co-founders of Steiger Vitelli and Associates. Buckle up, because this conversation gets real fast

Rachel Zant of Pen With a Purpose shares her journey from agency workhorse to boundary-setting badass. With 25 years of fundraising copywriting under her belt, Rachel dishes on the ups and downs of running a successful consulting biz while juggling motherhood and the constant urge to say "yes" to everything.

From charging what she's worth (spoiler: it's way more than when she started) to firing clients who don't respect her expertise, Rachel keeps it real about the struggles and triumphs of being a solopreneur in the nonprofit world. She even shares her secret sauce for packaging her services and why she's totally cool with sometimes choosing Netflix over networking.

Today, we're diving into the world of client retention with Alex Lustig, co-founder of the Global Grant Writers Collective. Their business is teaching people how to build careers as grant writers, but the real magic? They're keeping 70% of their members for a second year.

Alex shared insights on how they've built this success. It's not just about teaching grant writing - they've created a program that's part skill-building, part business training, and a whole lot of community. Their members aren't just learning a new skill; they're reimagining their lives.

While Alex's focus is grant writing, the strategies we discussed apply to any consulting business. We explored client retention, community building, and creative ways to make your clients feel valued and supported.

Ever wonder how some consultants seem to effortlessly land high-paying clients while you're still struggling to break the $5K mark? This week's guest, Kel Haney, spills the tea on her journey from theater director to six-figure fundraising consultant.

Email marketing remains a potent tool for nurturing relationships and driving revenue. But are you truly harnessing its full potential? We're peeling back the curtain on the often overlooked strategies that separate lackluster campaigns from engagement powerhouses.

With candor, we breakdown myths and discomfort surrounding email cadences, calls to action, and general email strategy.

Prepare to have your email marketing mindset reshaped as we demystify the enigma of robust inbox placement. You'll discover a muscle-building approach to nurturing email deliverability, from crafting reply-prompting messages to decoding the intricate metrics that govern inbox providers' algorithms.

Email marketing remains a potent tool for nurturing relationships and driving revenue. But are you truly harnessing its full potential? We're peeling back the curtain on the often overlooked strategies that separate lackluster campaigns from engagement powerhouses.

With candor, we breakdown myths and discomfort surrounding email cadences, calls to action, and general email strategy.

Prepare to have your email marketing mindset reshaped as we demystify the enigma of robust inbox placement. You'll discover a muscle-building approach to nurturing email deliverability, from crafting reply-prompting messages to decoding the intricate metrics that govern inbox providers' algorithms.

Have you been feeling the pinch in your nonprofit consulting business lately? You're not alone. The landscape for nonprofit consultants has been shifting, and many of us are experiencing challenges we haven't faced before.

Jess recently hosted a roundtable discussion in her Build Better Together community to explore what's really going on in 2024 and brainstorm solutions. The insights shared were eye-opening and we want to pass them along to you.

Ever feel like you're on an island, trying to figure out this whole business-building thing on your own? Well, shake off that isolation, because we're diving into the world of peer masterminds – where "yes, and" thinking meets the power of collective wisdom.

In this episode, we're joined by Aïko Thurlow, an experienced mastermind facilitator who's helped many entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Aïko's sharing insights on how these small groups can significantly improve your consulting practice.

Building a thriving consulting business can be a challenge, but what if the key to success lies in embracing joy and redefining growth? Meena Das, CEO of Namaste Data, shares her refreshing "anti-capitalistic" approach to building a thriving consulting practice. She emphasizes the importance of finding joy in your work, redefining growth on your own terms, and utilizing AI tools strategically.

If you're ready to break free from the traditional consulting mold and create a business that truly lights you up, tune in to this episode. Get ready to redefine success, embrace joy, and build a business that aligns with your values.

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.