Confessions with Jess and Cindy

“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 WagmanIn 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 model what the "experts" were teaching. But here's the truth: most of that just didn't align with our nonprofit audience or values. We learned that there are no shortcuts to finding what works for your unique business. These days, we invest in the things that really move the needle:Bringing on support so we can work less and earn more. We've hired contractors, built out our teams, and worked with coaches who get our sector.  Referrals from our network. Finding service providers recommended by people we know and trust.  Invest in the relationships and communities that truly understand you. These are the investments that pay off the most.Rest. This year, we both took extended breaks to renew our creativity. Coming back with fresh eyes is the best investment you can make.  The bottom line? Don't be afraid to invest in yourself and your business. But make sure those investments align with where you are now and where you want to go. Find your people, focus on what lights you up, and don't be afraid to challenge the status quo.Find Us Online: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.comConnect with Cindy:Cindy Wagman Coaching https://cindywagman.com The Good Partnership https://www.thegoodpartnership.comConnect with Jess: Out In the Boons: https://www.outintheboons.me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“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 CesaroniIn 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 consulting firm focused on empowering corporate executives through performance skills training. Some of the biggest takeaways:Develop a growth mindset. Look for opportunities to apply your skills in new ways and don’t be afraid to push into uncharted territory. You never know what might stick!Focus on the “how,” not just the “what.” Lucia teaches performance skills to equip her clients with the tools they need to communicate with confidence and charisma. We spend so much time preparing the content of our work, but we often neglect how we show up to deliver it.Practice self-compassion. Even the most skilled performers don’t always execute perfectly. Learn from your experiences and then move on without judgment. Your worth isn’t defined by any single interaction or event.Find what fuels you. For Lucia, empowering others through her performance skills training lights her up. Look for work that ignites your passion, so you can show up fully for your clients and community.We hope Lucia’s story inspires you to embrace new possibilities in your own work. Keep pushing boundaries, follow your passions, and don’t be afraid to forge new paths. Abundance awaits! Let’s go get it.Find Us Online: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com/Connect with Lucia Cesaroni:Cesaroni Consulting: https://www.cesaroniconsulting.com/Lucia Cesaroni (Website): http://luciacesaroni.com/Linkedin: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/lucia-cesaroni-b4821051Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luciasee/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LuciaCesaroniConnect 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.

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 relationships, not transactions.Build a business model focused on impact, not profits alone. Rowena partners with funders to make her programs nearly barrier-free for nonprofits. Her “uncommon education for community crusaders” motto says it all.Forge your own path. Rowena didn’t wait for permission or the “right” circumstances. She sent hundreds of emails to get her first clients and learned perseverance pays off. Her story inspires us to create the life and business we want.Find Us Online:  https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com/Connect with Rowena VeylanThe New School of Fundraising: https://nsof.ca/Mediate BC: https://www.mediatebc.com/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rowena-veylanConfessions with Jess and Cindy Podcast with Nneka Allen: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com/episodes/nneka-allenConnect 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/Audio: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ftXTkuYPuYn5qAtCEEskb5IdjfYi8NF8/view?usp=drive_link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"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 AkerewusiMide Akerewusi, founder of AgentsC, joined us for an inspiring conversation about courage, activism, and building a business with purpose. Mide shared his journey of stepping into his power as a vocal leader for equity and justice, despite facing discrimination and barriers as a Black business owner. Some of the biggest takeaways:Pursue your purpose. Mide started AgentsC to follow his calling for transformative change, even without a clear plan or safety net. Saying "yes" to your purpose will open up opportunities you can't yet imagine. Find your co-conspirators. Mide found strength in numbers by joining forces with others pushing for change. Seek out allies with a shared vision of justice and abundance. Together, you have the power to accomplish more than you ever could alone.Speak your truth. Mide acknowledged the costs of being a vocal activist, but said staying silent in the face of oppression is even more dangerous. Share your experiences to liberate yourself and educate others. Your voice matters.Keep learning and growing. Mide confessed that running a business is difficult, especially without role models or a template to follow. Approach each day with a willingness to experiment, make mistakes, and find the "right thing to do." Growth and progress, not perfection, should be the goal.At the end of the day, we all have a role to play in creating a just world where everyone can thrive. Mide's story is a reminder that when we embrace our purpose, use our voices, and support each other, we become an unstoppable force for positive change. The time for courage is now. How will you answer the call?Find Us Online:  https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com/Connect with Olumide AkerewusiAgentsC : https://www.agentsc.ca/Giving Black: https://www.givingblack.ca/Giving Black Podcast: https://www.givingblack.ca/the-giving-black-podcastMore information about AFP GTC and the experiences of Black Fundraisers: https://www.change.org/p/remove-afp-greater-toronto-chapter-s-10-star-status Confessions with Jess and Cindy Podcast with Nneka Allen: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com/episodes/nneka-allenConnect 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/ Host

“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 NobleMeredith 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 take their consulting business to the next level.  Highlights:Navigate entrepreneurial challenges, gleaning wisdom from failures, and seeking mentorship for guidance.Don't be afraid to blow up your business model if it's not workingGrasp the concept of moving from budget-friendly to higher-end course models, accentuating your offer's value.Focus on your ideal customer and get your pricing right.Delve into dealing with challenges in entrepreneurship, extracting knowledge from failures, and finding guidance through mentors.Realize the importance of delegating tasks, hiring the right talents, and systemizing for an effective team collaboration.Discern the strategy of keeping a steady concentration while pursuing multifaceted interests to maintain progress.Find Us Online:  https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com/Connect with Meredith Noble: Meredith Noble (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/meredith.noble/Learn Grant Writing (Website): https://www.learngrantwriting.org/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.

"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 EisensteinFor 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 services but missing out on harnessing the true power of your expertise.Dive into Amy’s business evolution from Amy Eisenstein LLC to Capital Campaign Pro. Discover how she harnessed the power of niche specialization, and revolutionized her revenue stream by transitioning to a subscription model. If you're in the nonprofit consultancy realm, this episode is your guide to optimizing and refining your services. Listen to the full episode now and unearth the secrets to niche mastery in nonprofit consulting.Highlights:Building a successful nonprofit coaching or consulting business requires specializing in a niche and choosing clients that align with your expertise and interests.Creating a subscription model for services can help generate recurring revenue and provide ongoing support and guidance to clients.Onboarding new clients is crucial for their success, and it involves introducing them to the team, providing orientation to the program, and ensuring they have access to resources and support.Retention and engagement of clients can be achieved through regular check-ins, monitoring their participation, and offering personalized support and guidance.Growing an email list and utilizing email marketing strategies, such as providing valuable free resources and nurturing leads, can be an effective way to attract and convert ideal clients.Connect with Amy:Website: https://capitalcampaignpro.com/For Nonprofit Consultants: https://capitalcampaignpro.com/toolkit-for-consultants/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.

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, course mapping, audits, and learning management systems. Danielle provides insights into her pricing structure and how she receives payment for her services.Highlights:The importance of understanding adult learning and designing courses that focus on behavior change and real-life impact.Collaboration and networking with other consultants has been instrumental in growing her business and attracting clients.A suggestion for consultants is to prioritize the three P's: presentation, practice, and production, in order to develop interactive and impactful learning opportunities.An important reminder for consultants is to embrace their worries and imposter syndrome, as it often signifies a dedication to self-improvement and a learner-centric mindset.Find Us Online:  https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com/Connect with Danielle Gines:Danielle Gines (Linkedin): https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-gines1DG Consultancy (Website): https://dgconsultancy.us/Email: danielle@dgconsultancy.usConnect 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.

"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 WagmanJoin 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 importance of trust, vulnerability, and mutual admiration in creating a supportive and empowering environment. They also discuss the value of investing in oneself and the power of collaboration and resource sharing. Tune in to learn how this mastermind group has helped them level up their businesses and achieve their goals.Highlights:Trust and vulnerability are crucial in a successful mastermind group, where open communication and honest feedback from peers are essential for growth.Investing in oneself and one's business is crucial, with the group members recognizing the need for time, resources, and money to elevate their businesses and achieve their goals.The mastermind's success was due to the group's mutual admiration and respect, creating a supportive and collaborative environment.The mastermind group members support each other by sharing resources and knowledge to help each other in their businesses.The mastermind group emphasized the value of camaraderie, celebration, and support in their business journey.Connect with Brooke:Newsletter: richiebabbage.com/leadershipforward321Podcast: Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastWebsite: https://brookerichiebabbage.com/Connect with Rhea Wong: Website: https://www.rheawong.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rheawong/Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nonprofit-lowdown/id1436858854Find 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.

“A majority of what secures you the proposal or the winning bid is your relationship to that organization.” - Cindy WagmanIn 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 reveal the secrets to standing out in a sea of RFPs (and when you should just ignore them). Join us as we explore the intriguing dynamics of RFPs and the unique challenges they present Highlights:RFPs and standardized responsesThe pros and cons of RFPsWhat to include on a proposalThe challenges and benefits of responding to RFPsThe power of personalizationFind 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.

“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 WagmanIn 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 clever strategy for attracting the right clients through case studies. Highlights:Pick clients that align with your values and work styleSetting boundaries and be selective about who you work withDon't undervalue your services out of fear or scarcity mindsetSeek support and advice from trusted peers or mentors to help you navigate client selection and pricing decisionsFind 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.