
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

Jul 13, 2023 • 34min
Breaking the Mold: Chad Barger’s Non-Traditional Fundraising Consulting Business
Get ready to hear some juicy confessions on this episode of the Confessions Podcast as we sit down with Chad Barger, a fundraising consultant who's decided to keep his business a one-man show. Chad shared his secrets to work-life balance, including how he manages to take intentional time off and keep his workload under control. He also dishes on the challenges of growth and staying focused and giving out his killer advice for fellow consultants on how to build a business that doesn't make them want to pull their hair out. If you're a consultant looking to tune out the noise of what you "should" be doing and build a unique and quirky business that stands out, then you won't want to miss this episode.Highlights:How to navigate the transition from freelancer to a business of oneChad’s strategic growth as a solopreneurThe importance of taking intentional time off and prioritizing work-life harmonyLeveraging speaking and webinars Building a business you enjoyFind Us Online: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com/Connect with Chad Barger: Chad Barger (Linkedin): https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadbargerChad Barger (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/fundraiserchad/?hl=enProductive Fundraising (Website): https://productivefundraising.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.

Jul 6, 2023 • 38min
Fundraising, Bubble Baths, and Everything in Between: Lacey Kempinski on Finding Balance
Get ready to be inspired by the latest episode of the Confessions Podcast featuring Lacey Kempinski, founder of the Balanced Good. Lacey shares her inspiring journey of pivoting from a career in fundraising plans to creating a new and innovative service in nonprofit sector. Through persistence, faith, and leveraging her relationships. Join us as we delve into Lacey's story and discover how she found her calling in helping organizations navigate the complexities of parental leave.Highlights:How Lacey started in consulting Balanced Good’s unique offer and service A fundraiser’s approach to creating her own marketing strategyBuilding relationships and growing her network Lacey as a leader in her own consulting businessFind Us Online: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com/Connect with Lacey Kempinski: Lacey Kempinski (Linkedin): https://ca.linkedin.com/in/laceykempinskiBalanced Good (Website): https://balancedgood.com/Balanced Good (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/balancedgood/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.

Jun 29, 2023 • 46min
Attraction-based marketing with Racheli Edelkopf
In this episode of the Confessions Podcast, we sat down with Racheli Edelkopf, the mastermind behind Pedal Marketing - a consulting biz that helps nonprofits up their marketing game. Racheli talked about her journey as a program director and how that led her to start her own business. Racheli has valuable insights into the realm of marketing and specifically attraction-based marketing, which is the approach she has taken to build her business.Highlights:Racheli's transition from the nonprofit sector into marketing consultancyAttraction-based marketing strategiesThe balance of working on your business vs. in your businessHow to leverage your strengths and find a marketing strategy that suits your abilities and business style.Find Us Online: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com/Connect with Racheli Edelkopf:Pedal Marketing: https://www.thepedal.co/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepedal.co/?hl=enLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/racheli-edelkopf-0484a81a3Connect 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 link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1cHfhQq7P_jeyilCXSG-kQ3WN27FuAYcS?usp=drive_link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 22, 2023 • 49min
Behind the scenes of Cindy’s first 6-figure launch
Ever wonder what it really takes to launch a successful product or program? How do you transition from a safe, small-scale launch to a full-on, all-in launch? Join us in this episode as Cindy spills all the details about her super successful launch of the Fractional Fundraiser Academy. You'll hear about the nitty-gritty details, the numbers, and the journey from conceptualizing to creating and eventually launching a comprehensive program. It's going to be a deep-dive case study filled with valuable insights and lessons.Highlights:Cindy's journey of developing and launching Fractional Fundraiser Academy The most effective opt-in strategies for the launchThe launch results and ROIInsights and advice on playing big in launching your programFind Us Online: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com/Join The Fractional Fundraiser Waitlist: https://www.thegoodpartnership.com/waitlistConnect 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.

Jun 15, 2023 • 30min
Affiliate marketing 101 with Jess and Cindy
"I think that people who maybe have the best intentions of being an affiliate and then don't end up doing it well is because they don't treat it like a launch the way they would launch their own product."Looking for insider knowledge on affiliate marketing? In this episode, we’re giving you the inside scoop on the art and business of affiliate marketing. We're debunking myths, sharing insights, and guiding you through every step to make the most out of your affiliate relationships. Whether you're considering becoming an affiliate or looking to incorporate affiliates into your marketing strategy, this episode is a must-listen!Highlights:Understanding affiliate relationshipsThe importance of audience alignment Commission structuresLeveraging affiliate marketing for product launchesHow to keep affiliates engaged for successFind 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.

Jun 8, 2023 • 46min
Building an agency with Mike Duerksen
“Nobody's ever gonna do it the way that you would do it, and that's okay. So you just have to find people who know 60% of what you know, you teach them 20% to 30% and you have to be okay with 80% to 90%. And it won't be 100% the way you would define 100%, but it'll be 80%, 90%. And for most people that you're gonna help, for most clients, that is already 200% better than they would do on their own. So don't get hung up on it.” - Mike DuerksenIn this episode of The Confessions we sit down with Mike Duerksen, the mastermind behind the fundraising agency BuildGood. Mike takes us along his journey of going from solopreneur to head of a growing agency. With his in-depth insights and real-life experiences, Mike provides a glimpse into the challenges and rewards of transitioning into the role of an agency leader.Highlights:From solopreneur to agency owner An inside look into the operation and pricing model of an agencyInsight to managing a team How Mike uses a demand generation approach in marketing The significance of a positive mindset towards investment and risk. Creating a family mission and aligning it with your business goalsFind Us Online: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com/Connect with Mike Duerksen: Linkedin: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/mikeduerksenWebsite: http://mikeduerksen.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.

Jun 1, 2023 • 44min
Legal Tips for Nonprofit Coaching and Consulting with Adrienne Ng
"I think one of the first triggers to where you need to turn your mind to, maybe you need some legal advice or legal help or a system, and this isn't necessarily something you need to go to a lawyer for but it's something that you should turn your mind to because there are legal ramifications, and it's the idea of contracts."Do you wonder if you're overlooking vital legal aspects of your business? Is the thought of hiring a lawyer daunting to you, especially if you're in the early stages of your entrepreneurial journey? In this episode, we sit down with Adrienne, a seasoned lawyer and the founder of Open LLP, a boutique law firm specializing in helping startups, and entrepreneurs. Adrienne shares her wealth of knowledge to provide some guidance on navigating the legal landscape of your business.Highlights:Identifying the legal questions every small business owner should be askingUnderstanding the importance and role of contracts in your business.Distinguishing between templated contracts and custom-made ones, and knowing when to use each.Why it's crucial to have Intellectual Property assignment clauses in your contractsThe concept of 'Common Law Trademark Rights' and how it affects your businessWhen it's time to consider formally applying for a trademark registrationFind Us Online: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com/Connect with Adrienne Ng:Open LLP : https://www.openllp.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/open.llp/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.

May 25, 2023 • 50min
Self-discovery and alignment in your business with Clay Buck
"Don't network to network, network to learn, network to meet, network to engage because one thing I have learned is everyone in this sector is so open and so willing and wants to share and encourage and love and support and talk like there's no reason.” - Clay BuckSelf-discovery and alignment in your business with Clay BuckIn this episode of the Confessions Podcast, we have a heart-to-heart with Clay Buck, the brain behind TCB Fundraising. With over three decades of experience in fundraising, communications, and marketing, Clay has helped countless organizations build sustainable relationships and revenue. We dive deep into the essence of the consulting business, emphasizing the importance of community. Our conversation ranges from the dynamics of sharing knowledge and resources to fostering mutual respect and collaboration. Clay, underlines the vital role everyone plays in the sector, with an emphasis on promoting generosity and kindness.Highlights:Lay’s journey of self-discovery through transitionsCreating community in consultingNurturing genuine connectionsRipple effect of generosity and gratitude in businessRole of mentors and fellow consultantsFind Us Online: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com/Connect with Clay Buck: TCB Fundraising: https://tcbfundraising.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TClayBuck/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.

May 18, 2023 • 36min
Playing big with Cindy and Jess (our reflections on AFP ICON)
"Having an intention behind what it is you're putting any effort, energy and money towards is critical."In this episode of the Confessions Podcast, we will spill the beans of our experience at the Association of Fundraising Professionals International Conference (AFP ICON) in New Orleans. We went there with a mission: to create space for consultants! We dive into all of our reflections and learnings. But the real gem of this episode is our reflection on the importance of having clear intentions when attending conferences. It's not just about collecting business cards and free swag (which honestly isn’t all that good). It's about seizing opportunities to connect with people and build relationships. So, next time you attend a conference, don't just wing it. Have a game plan and make the most out of it. You never know who you might meet or what you might learn.Highlights:Having a clear intention when attending professional development opportunities.The value of going big and standing out when creating a conference booth, as it can attract the right audience and lead to meaningful conversations.Attending conferences is not just about networking and standing out. It's also an opportunity to connect with people and build relationships.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.

May 11, 2023 • 41min
The Power of Diversifying Income with Holly Rustick
“ I could have stopped and walked away and said, you know what, it didn't work. And I had this support and it didn't happen. And that's about me. And only sold four class, all of the things, right? But I kept going. It was like, no, I still believe in this. And I had to get myself to that energy to then get to where I am now. “- Holly RustickAre you curious to know how to grow your business with diversified income streams and turn your services into passive income? Then you should listen to this episode featuring Holly Rustick, who runs a grant writing and funding business with a multi-pronged model. Holly explains how she transitioned from an agency doing grant writing services for nonprofits to a business owner who makes passive income.Highlights:Holly's experience with diversifying her streams of incomeTips on how to grow your email list, gain social media followers, and show up as a thought leader in your field.How to let go of what no longer serves your business and focus on what truly mattersHow to reframe pain points and focus on problem-solving in your sales processThe value of tracking your time, money, and joy to make informed decisions for your business growthConnect with Holly Rustick: Linkedin: https://gu.linkedin.com/in/holly-rustick-0765b817Grant Writing & Funding: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyrustick/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/grantwritingFind 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.