In 'The Big Leap,' Gay Hendricks addresses the concept of the Upper Limit Problem, where individuals subconsciously sabotage their own success and happiness due to deep-seated fears and limiting beliefs. The book introduces four zones of activity: the Zone of Incompetence, Zone of Competence, Zone of Excellence, and Zone of Genius. Hendricks emphasizes the importance of identifying and operating in the Zone of Genius, where one combines what they love doing with what they are exceptionally good at. He also outlines four common hidden barriers to success: feeling fundamentally flawed, fear of disloyalty and abandonment, believing more success brings a bigger burden, and the fear of outshining others. The book provides practical advice on overcoming these barriers, embracing continuous growth, and achieving a balance between professional success and personal fulfillment.
What should nonprofit consultants do when growth starts to feel like hitting a wall? In today’s episode of Confessions, Jess and I are thrilled to welcome Natalie Ekdahl, CEO of Biz Chix, Inc., a powerhouse coach for nonprofit consultants who want to scale without burning out. Natalie shares her no-nonsense approach to building a lucrative consulting business that prioritizes both financial success and personal freedom—no more trading time for dollars! We dive into common pitfalls consultants face when hitting growth bottlenecks, and Natalie unpacks why traditional business models and advice don’t always work for nonprofits. This episode is packed with actionable advice on how to create a sustainable path for growth that aligns with your strengths and values as a nonprofit consultant.
So, if you’re at capacity, but ready to grow, get comfy, because Natalie shares how to turn overwhelm into opportunity and the practical steps to make it happen. Whether it’s tackling pricing, setting boundaries, or the big question of who and when to hire, we cover the puzzle pieces you need for your next level of success.
5 Key Takeaways:
- Positioning is Everything - Natalie emphasizes the importance of defining a clear niche and service expertise to attract high-quality clients who are ready to pay for your unique value.
- Overcoming the “One-to-Many” Myth - Digital courses and one-to-many models can look tempting, but Natalie breaks down why they’re often not sustainable for consultants with smaller audiences or niche markets like nonprofits.
- The Value of Micro-Positions - When it comes to hiring, starting small with targeted micro-positions (like admin support) can buy back your time without the overwhelm of a big team.
- Boundaries & Mindset Shifts - Building a thriving consulting practice means setting clear boundaries with clients, learning to say no, and tackling mindset barriers around pricing and hiring.
- Nonprofit Audiences Require Unique Approaches - Unlike B2C businesses, nonprofit clients often need additional consideration around budgeting, approvals, and relationship-building—things quick-sale tactics often overlook.
Find Us Online: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com
Connect with Natalie Eckdahl:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalieeckdahl/
Website: https://bizchix.com/
Podcast #1: https://nataliemba.com/The-Biz-of-Nonprofit-Consultants-Podcast
Podcast #2: https://bizchix.com/category/podcast/bizchix/
Connect with Cindy:
Cindy Wagman Coaching: cindywagman.com
Fractional Fundraising Network: fractionalfundraising.co/
LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/in/cindywagman
Connect with Jess:
Out In the Boons: outintheboons.me
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jesscampbelloutintheboons/
Confessions with Jess and Cindy 