Confessions with Jess and Cindy

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.Key Highlights:The art of striking a delicate balance between structured "hot seat" sessions and organic, free-flowing conversations that seamlessly interweave business and personal growth.The nuances of hosting duties, from securing accommodations to infusing local flavors, creating an immersive experience that transcends mere logistics.The dynamics of a tribe of driven individuals who breathe and live their businesses, blurring the lines between work and play in a harmonious dance of collective growth.The evolution of their masterminds, from the early days of unstructured exploration to the refined formula that harnesses the collective wisdom of the group.Find Us Online:  https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.comConnect with Cindy:Cindy Wagman Coaching: cindywagman.comFractional Fundraising Network: fractionalfundraising.co/LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/in/cindywagmanConnect with Jess:Out In the Boons: outintheboons.meLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jesscampbelloutintheboons/

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.Key Highlights:Understand Jennie's decision-making process for hiring employees versus subcontractors as her business expanded.Learn her proven tactics for generating a consistent pipeline of clients through relationship-building and word-of-mouth marketing.Gain insights into effectively onboarding and leading a remote team aligned with your vision and values.Explore the systems and processes she implemented to facilitate growth while maintaining quality and work-life balance.Discover her candid confessions about the challenges, lessons learned, and privileges that enabled her entrepreneurial journey.Find Us Online:  https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.comConnect with Jennie:Twitter: https://twitter.com/JennieForAlaska LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniemarmstrong/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenniemariearmstrong Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wild_awake_creative/ Delve: https://www.delveforgood.com/ Wild Awake: https://www.wildawakecreative.com/ The Legacy Collective: https://www.wildawakecreative.com/legacy Connect with Cindy:Cindy Wagman Coaching: cindywagman.comFractional Fundraising Network: fractionalfundraising.co/LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/in/cindywagmanConnect with Jess:Out In the Boons: outintheboons.meLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jesscampbelloutintheboons/

CEO Dana Snyder from Missions to Movement shares insights on building strategic partnerships for nonprofit consulting. She discusses creating win-win opportunities, negotiating fair compensation, and tracking ROI. Learn how to structure creative partnerships and hear about Dana's challenges and lessons learned along the way.

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.Key Highlights:Understand Jess's decision-making process and the factors that influenced her transition to a paid model.Learn how she managed member expectations and addressed dissenting voices during the monetization process.Gain insights into fostering a supportive, collaborative environment that encourages knowledge-sharing and networking.Explore the systems, processes, and roles Jess implemented to facilitate community growth while maintaining quality.Hear her candid reflections on the lessons learned and the impact the transition has had on her business one year later.If you've ever wrestled with the complexities of building a paid community or simply crave an honest look at an entrepreneur's trials and triumphs, immerse yourself in this empowering narrative. You'll emerge with a deeper appreciation for the grit required and inspiration to boldly pursue your own passion projects.Find Us Online:  https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.comConnect with Cindy:Cindy Wagman Coaching: cindywagman.comFractional Fundraising Network: fractionalfundraising.co/LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/in/cindywagmanConnect with Jess:Out In the Boons: outintheboons.meLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jesscampbelloutintheboons/

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.Key Highlights:How to reframe your mindset around monetizing referrals, breaking free from the "martyr mentality" that plagues the nonprofit sector.Practical tips for initiating referral fee conversations upfront, setting clear expectations with potential partners.Specific percentage structures Jess and Cindy implementFind Us Online:  https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.comConnect with Cindy:Cindy Wagman Coaching: cindywagman.comFractional Fundraising Network: fractionalfundraising.co/LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/in/cindywagmanConnect with Jess:Out In the Boons: outintheboons.meLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jesscampbelloutintheboons/

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.In this episode of Confessions, Maria shares:Her multi-pronged lead generation tactics that keep her pipeline consistently full, from leveraging LinkedIn to hosting webinars and fostering strategic partnerships.The meticulous preparation and onboarding systems she implemented to seamlessly embed her first hire and maintain a consistent, values-driven client experience.Her evolved mindset on transitioning from a subcontractor model to hiring employees, and the unique considerations involved in that pivotal decision.The authentic, community-centric principles that guide her firm's culture and approach to building a diverse, mission-aligned team.So tune in as Maria shares the truth about her first year building a thriving, multiple six-figure nonprofit consulting firm. You'll walk away with actionable strategies to implement in your own business and the inspiration to approach your ambitions with the same tenacious passion that propelled Maria's success.Connect with Maria: Go Further Together (Website): https://www.gofurthertogether.ca/ The Small Nonprofit Podcast: https://www.gofurthertogether.ca/podcast Maria Rio (Linkedin):https://ca.linkedin.com/in/mariario Connect with Cindy:Cindy Wagman Coaching: cindywagman.comFractional Fundraising Network: fractionalfundraising.co/LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/in/cindywagmanConnect with Jess:Out In the Boons: outintheboons.meLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jesscampbelloutintheboons/

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.Key Highlights:Gain insight into retreat and conference business models in the nonprofit space, including the significant upfront investments required to host events and the immense marketing effort involved.Understand strategies around pricing events profitably through tiered pricing models and requiring deposits.Discover ideas for potential brand partnerships and sponsorships that feel authentic by bundling offers and requiring budget transparency.Recognize the importance of proximity and intimate gatherings for referral marketing: "You can't get close to someone, you don't have proximity."If you've considered hosting events in the nonprofit consulting space, this transparent glimpse behind the scenes is essential listening to inform your strategy going forward. Tune in now to join Kamilah and Jess as they share their wins, challenges, and future plans.Find Us Online:  https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.comConnect with Kamilah: Katalyst Consulting (Website): https://www.katalystconsult.com/ Kamilah Martin (Linkedin): https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamilahmartin Connect with Cindy:Cindy Wagman Coaching: cindywagman.comFractional Fundraising Network: fractionalfundraising.co/LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/in/cindywagmanConnect with Jess:Out In the Boons: outintheboons.meLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jesscampbelloutintheboons/

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.Key Highlights:- Learn how to bring levity and lightness to your nonprofit work joyfully- Discover sustainable strategies to nurture yourself on hard days- Gain tools to move through intense emotions while maintaining passion- Challenge imposter syndrome and create opportunities aligned with your unique talentsFind Us Online:  https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.comConnect with Maryanne: Courageous Communication (Website): https://www.courageouscommunication.com/ The Influential Nonprofit (Podcast): https://www.courageouscommunication.com/podcast Maryanne Dersch (Linkedin): https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryannedersch-courageouscommunication/ Connect with Cindy:Cindy Wagman Coaching: cindywagman.comFractional Fundraising Network: fractionalfundraising.co/LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/in/cindywagmanConnect with Jess:Out In the Boons: outintheboons.meLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jesscampbelloutintheboons/

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. Key Highlights:- Insider knowledge of the book publishing process specifically for the nonprofit consulting industry- How to leverage strategic collaborations with co-authors to share more diverse and empowering stories- The importance of vulnerability and sincerity in advocating for women leaders- Clarity on whether writing a book is the right move for your particular business goals- Tips for maximizing the impact of your book through targeted PR, speaking engagements and podcast interviews

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."Key Takeaways:- Learn how to calculate your gross and net profits - Discover easy budget forecasting models- Strategies to improve cashflow management - Mindset shifts to become more financially savvy- Actionable ways to start saving 3-6+ months of operating costsThink beyond just delivering services day-to-day. Get the insider advice you need to run a sustainable business with impact.