
Confessions with Jess and Cindy
Ever wish you could pull back the curtain and see how other nonprofit consultants run their businesses? Well, we’ve got you covered! Welcome to the Confessions podcast, hosted by Jess Campbell and Cindy Wagman. We are two former in-house nonprofit pros turned coaches and consultants to purpose driven organizations. In this podcast, we are giving you access to the business leaders who serve nonprofits as their clients - you know - the people who truly get it. No more gatekeeping, no more secrets - this podcast is going to give you an inside look at what running a successful nonprofit coaching and consulting business looks like. Basically, we’re asking people how much money they make, how they get paid and what has and hasn’t worked in their businesses.After building our own successful 6-figure nonprofit coaching and consulting businesses, we are on a mission to help other nonprofit coaches and consultants looking to start or scale their own businesses by pulling back the curtain. Whether you are still working inside a nonprofit and thinking of one day going out on your own or have been running your consulting business for years - you understand that working with nonprofits is just different. Listen in as sector leaders and other experts share their insights, their numbers, and the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to building a nonprofit coaching or consulting business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

May 4, 2023 • 42min
Finding purpose and impact with Christal Cherry
“You just have to decide how long am I going to be a hamster on this wheel and when am I going to stop the wheel and say I want to do meaningful work that really means something to somebody that people are learning and they're growing and they're changed because of the work that you're doing.” - Christal CherryDo you ever feel trapped in a never-ending grind in your business and wonder how you can break the cycle? Christal Cherry, founder of The Board Pro, joins us today to share her journey from being a burned-out fundraiser to a thriving and empowered consultant. Christal shares how you could break free from the hamster wheel and do meaningful work in your business. Highlights:Christal's fundraising journey and how she discovered her passion for board consultingThe process and pricing of Christal's board recruitment servicesHow to manage client flow in a consultancy businessStanding your ground and staying true to your values in your workGrowing your email list with intention Making profit and creating impact with consulting Connect with Christal Cherry: The Board Pro: https://www.theboardpro.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063945049056Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christal-m-cherry/Find Us Online: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com/Connect with Cindy:Cindy Wagman Coaching: https://cindywagman.com/ The Good Partnership: https://www.thegoodpartnership.com/Connect with Jess: Out In the Boons: https://www.outintheboons.me/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 27, 2023 • 37min
Profit First with Jayne Dykstra
“One of my big things is that I hate lazy money. And so giving your money a job, knowing exactly what it's for is really beneficial.” - Jayne DykstraAre you struggling with cash flow in your business? Do you have trouble making your money work for you and paying yourself and your bills? In this episode of Confessions with Jess and Cindy Podcast, we speak with Jayne Dykstra, the founder and CEO of Zetique, about the value of keeping track of your financial situation in a meaningful way.Highlights:The value of keeping track of your financial situation The simple and effective system based on Profit FirstHow this system works for businesses with variable incomeTips for overcoming the initial hurdle of setting up the systemOutsourcing your bookkeepingThe difference between working with bookkeeper and accountantConnect with Jayne Dykstra: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayne-dykstra-1965a3123Zetique: https://zetique.com/Find Us Online: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com/Connect with Cindy:Cindy Wagman Coaching: https://cindywagman.com/ The Good Partnership: https://www.thegoodpartnership.com/Connect with Jess: Out In the Boons: https://www.outintheboons.me/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 20, 2023 • 51min
Business Evolution with Sheleia Phillips
“So just allow the process to be the process. Take it easy on yourself and don't overthink it. Just do what you do best. As long as you do good and you have pure intentions, like the revenue, the clients, the good things, the opportunities will find you. I don't have to stress out on trying to find it. “ - Sheleia PhillipsOur guest for today's episode is Sheleia Phillips, the brains behind SMP Nonprofit Consulting and a former biologist turned grant writing coach. Since its inception, she has expanded from a part-time to a full-time endeavor, and now she runs group coaching programs. Get the inspiration and knowledge you need to learn about and succeed in the competitive world of grant writing.Highlights:Sheleia’s journey from being a biologist to a grant writer and eventually a full-time grant writing coachThe importance of finding your community, networking, and learning from mentorsHow she started her side hustle and took the leap to go full timeHer savvy use of social media to expand her networkFind Us Online: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com/Connect with Sheleia Philips: Website: https://www.smpnpc.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheleia-phillips-mph-ches-a9901a108Connect with Cindy:Cindy Wagman Coaching https://cindywagman.com/ The Good Partnership https://www.thegoodpartnership.com/Connect with Jess: Out In the Boons: https://www.outintheboons.me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 13, 2023 • 41min
Behind the scenes of the Fractional Fundraiser Academy with Maria and Katy
“I find that fluidity is where I find joy and where I am my most productive. And by fluidity, I mean some days, I might be at my desk from eight till six. And other days, I might be at my desk from 10 till noon. “ - Katy Pedersen Behind the scenes of the Fractional Fundraiser Academy with Maria and Katy In this episode, we're taking you behind the scenes with Maria and Katy, members of the Fractional Fundraiser Academy. Listen in as they share their journeys, reveal how they've overcome entrepreneurial challenges, achieved freedom and flexibility, and discuss the invaluable support they've found within the Academy. Get ready to be inspired and learn how you, too, can thrive in the world of fractional fundraising!Highlights:1. What fractional fundraising is and how it benefits nonprofits and fundraisers 2. How fractional fundraising has transformed Maria and Katy's lives personally and professionally3. Challenges of being your own boss and how to overcome them 4. The value of fractional fundraising community5. Advice for those who want to become fractional fundraisersFind Us Online: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com/Connect with Cindy:Cindy Wagman Coaching https://cindywagman.com/ The Good Partnership https://www.thegoodpartnership.com/Connect with Jess: Out In the Boons: https://www.outintheboons.me/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 6, 2023 • 38min
Your first look at the Fractional Fundraiser Academy
"It's designed to really make it, less risky, more comfortable, and safer for people to take that step towards achieving their goals and creating the income and freedom they set out to create from day one."- Cindy WagmanIn this episode,we’re going to dive into the Fractional Fundraiser Academy, a training program that empowers you to set-up, launch, and succeed as a fractional fundraiser. Discover how this program helps you set up your business, find clients, deliver results, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.Highlights:An overview of the Fractional Fundraiser AcademyThe 4-phase structure of the program: Prepare, Propose, Produce, Play Support and accountability for fractional fundraisers communityThe investment for joining the Fractional Fundraiser AcademyIf you are interested to be a Fractional Fundraiser, apply for the Fractional Fundraising Academy now at thegoodpartnership.com/ffa Find Us Online: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com/Connect with Cindy:Cindy Wagman Coaching https://cindywagman.com/ The Good Partnership https://www.thegoodpartnership.com/Connect with Jess: Out In the Boons: https://www.outintheboons.me/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 30, 2023 • 39min
Boundaries and rest with Kamilah Martin
“And I wish more people were like me. I wish more people would just give themselves a break and know that it's okay to screw up because other people learn from that. And again, there's value, I think, in seeing how you respond to the screw ups.” - Kamilah MartinIn this episode, we had the pleasure of chatting with Kamilah Martin, the founder and CEO of Katalyst, who shared her valuable insights and experience as an interim executive director for nonprofits. Kamilah revealed some practical tips on how she manages to balance her workload while prioritizing rest and self-care, and how she sets boundaries with her clients to avoid burnout. Highlights:The power of REST Master the art of LinkedIn outreach with Kamilah's strategies Balancing work with rest and other passionsKamilah’s 60-40 rule to manage her business and work with clientsSetting boundaries with clients and maintaining healthy working relationshipsOrganic growth approach to community-building for nonprofitsEmbracing vulnerabilityConnect with Kamilah Martin:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamilah-martin-67673b8Website: https://www.katalystconsult.com/Find Us Online: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com/Connect with Cindy:Cindy Wagman Coaching https://cindywagman.com/ The Good Partnership https://www.thegoodpartnership.com/Connect with Jess: Out In the Boons: https://www.outintheboons.me/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 23, 2023 • 39min
Pitch perfect - getting on podcasts with Angie Trueblood
“So it really is the topic. It's sadly, far less about the person and the accomplishments, the experiences, the biography of who is getting pitched, and more about how relevant that topic is to the host audience and how aligned it is with the type of content that they create and produce.” – Angie TruebloodIn this episode, we're thrilled to welcome Angie Trueblood of the Podwize Group to discuss the art of pitching yourself to podcasts. With her entrepreneurial spirit, innovative thinking, and super-connector powers, Angie deeply supports business owners who use podcasts as a core tenet of their business growth. Her passion for normalizing the voices of women in leadership positions shines through in her work. Whether you're a nonprofit pro, consultant, or coach, this episode will give you the inside scoop on the long-tail impact of being a podcast guest and how you can maximize the opportunity.How to strategically determine why being featured on a podcast is important for your businessThe power of podcast guesting for authority building and lead generationThe dos and don'ts of pitching yourself to a podcast, including how to personalize your pitch and the best way to reach outReal-life examples of good and bad pitches and how to make yours stand outNurturing relationships with the podcast host and their audienceConnect with Angie Trueblood:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angietruebloodWebsite: https://thepodwizegroup.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepodwizegroup/?hl=enPodcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/go-pitch-yourself/id1480391075Find Us Online: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com/Connect with Cindy:Cindy Wagman Coaching https://cindywagman.com/ The Good Partnership https://www.thegoodpartnership.com/Connect with Jess: Out In the Boons: https://www.outintheboons.me/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 16, 2023 • 50min
Balancing in-house and consulting work with Julie Ordoñez
"The real win is who I'm becoming, that I'm becoming a more resilient person, that I am becoming someone who is more courageous, more kind. I'm learning perseverance in a real way. I'm learning staying power. Can you just stay? Can you just keep going? That's what entrepreneurship is, right ?" – Julie OrdoñezIn this podcast episode, we’re joined by Julie Ordoñez, a major gifts strategist and coach. She is also the founder of CourageLab, a 6-week accelerator where ambitious nonprofit leaders get the courage to ask for more and raise major gifts. Julie walks us through her personal journey of building her own business (as a side hustle), her strategies to attract ideal clients, her own struggles and challenges in growing her business and how she overcomes them. Tune in now to gain valuable insights and inspiration for your own entrepreneurial journey!Highlights:Julie’s personal journey on transitioning her fundraising skills to the business worldThe importance of investing in business and marketing strategiesMoney mindset on fundraising vs businessAttracting the right clients and letting people go in your businessDeveloping courage and resilience in entrepreneurshipConnect with Julie Ordoñez: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieordonezWebsite: https://julieordonez.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliemordonez/?hl=enTwitter: https://twitter.com/juliemordonezCourage Lab : https://www.couragelab.co/Find Us Online: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com/Connect with Cindy:Cindy Wagman Coaching https://cindywagman.com/ The Good Partnership https://www.thegoodpartnership.com/Connect with Jess: Out In the Boons: https://www.outintheboons.me/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 9, 2023 • 43min
Making your own rules with Nneka Allen
“I make all my decisions through the lens of my values. My values are love and justice.” – Nneka AllenJoin us as we chat with Nneka Allen, the founder of The Empathy Agency, a business that is aligned with her values - love and justice. Nneka dives into the complexities of the historical relationship between African and Indigenous peoples and how it informs her work to create belonging spaces where everyone can feel they belong. Tune in as she discusses her approach to coaching, training, consulting, and education to achieve her mission.Highlights:Creating belonging spaces for racial justice through coaching, training, consulting, and speakingDetermining client fees through the lens of love and justiceHow Nneka's clients find her through word of mouth, teaching, and her intentional online presenceCollecting Courage, an anthology about Black fundraisers, is more than just a book, it's a movementConnect with Nneka Allen:Website (The Empathy Agency): https://theempathyagency.ca/who-i-amInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nnekaallen/?hl=enWebsite (Collecting Courage): https://www.collectingcourage.org/meet-the-authors/nneka-allenLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-empathy-agencyFind Us Online: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com/Connect with Cindy:Cindy Wagman Coaching https://cindywagman.com/ The Good Partnership https://www.thegoodpartnership.com/Connect with Jess: Out In the Boons: https://www.outintheboons.me/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 2, 2023 • 58min
There is an ROI to living your values with Nikki Bell and Simon Scriver
Nikki Bell and Simon Scriver are the co-founders of Fundraising Everywhere, an online training and support community for fundraisers. Through their hard work and dedication, Nikki and Simon were able to provide their staff with pay rises and other benefits, and introduce new methods to make their events and conferences more accessible.Highlights:How Nikki Bell and Simon Scriver started Fundraising Everywhere and their journey to successThe ROI of making values-based decisions and how they incorporate values into day-to-day operations Growing an affordable and accessible online community Bridging the digital gap for nonprofits through their own virtual event platform: Everywhere+ Generating leads with different business models and strategiesConnect with Nikki Bell and Simon Scriver :Website: https://www.fundraisingeverywhere.com/Fundraising Everywhere (Twitter): https://twitter.com/FundEverywhereNikki Bell (Linkedin): https://uk.linkedin.com/in/nikki-bellSimon Scriver (Linkedin): https://ie.linkedin.com/in/simonscriverFind Us Online: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com/Connect with Cindy:Cindy Wagman Coaching https://cindywagman.com/ The Good Partnership https://www.thegoodpartnership.com/Connect with Jess: Out In the Boons: https://www.outintheboons.me/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.