The Biz of Nonprofit Consultants

If the idea of “selling” makes you cringe or even hestiate, you’re not alone. For many nonprofit consultants, sales feels out of step with your mission—even though your business depends on it. But what if selling wasn’t about pressure or persuasion? What if it was simply about making it easier for the right people to say yes? In this episode, I’ll walk you through a powerful reframe that will shift how you think about sales conversations. Whether you avoid follow-ups, downplay your value, or rely entirely on referrals, this mindset shift will help you step more confidently into your role as a leader—and open the door to more aligned client relationships. Mentioned in this episode: 📌 Book a 90-Minute Intensive: NatalieMBA.com/intensive Resources: 🔗 Join the Impact Collective Mastermind Waitlist (12-month program) Next enrollment: September 2025 | January 2026 🔗 Work with me 1:1 (six-month program) 🔗 See Impact Collective retreat photos Connect With Me: 📩 DM me on LinkedIn if you’re thinking about joining the next mastermind or just want to connect! 💛 Enjoy the episode? Follow & Subscribe to The Biz of Nonprofit Consultants so you never miss an episode.  

Kel Haney was doing a little bit of everything: directing theater, consulting non profits, coaching others, and it left her burned out and unsure of how to grow. But everything changed when she made the decision to specialize in mid-level donor fundraising. In this episode, Kel shares how focusing on the work she does best helped her build a thriving, fully booked fundraising business. We talk about the clarity and momentum that came with refining her services, why mid-level donor strategies are often overlooked, and how this specialization allowed her to scale with more ease and impact. If you’re feeling spread too thin or unsure how to grow, Kel’s story is a powerful example of what’s possible when you align your business with your zone of genius. Mentioned in this episode: Kel Haney’s Website Kel on LinkedIn Book: The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks Resources: 🔗 BOOK A ONE TIME COACHING SESSION (90 minutes) Let's tighten your positioining so you can get fully booked. Includes a workshop to complete before our call so we can make the most of our time together. 🔗 Join the Impact Collective Mastermind Waitlist (12-month program) Next enrollment: September 2025 | January 2026 🔗 Work with me 1:1 (six-month program) 🔗 See Impact Collective retreat photos Connect With Me: 📩 DM me on LinkedIn if you’re considering working with me or just want to connect! 💛 Enjoy the episode? Follow & Subscribe to The Biz of Nonprofit Consultants so you never miss an episode.

If your revenue goal feels too ambitious or too safe, you're not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing one of my favorite tools for setting goals that support real growth without adding unnecessary pressure. The Good, Better, Best method is a simple way to create structure and momentum in your business. I walk you through how it works and share two client stories. Whether you’re setting Q2 goals or recalibrating mid-year, this episode will help you create a more grounded and flexible plan. I also share a reminder to make time for CEO-level reflection. You’re leading a business, not just delivering services. Taking time to reset and reconnect with your direction is part your hightest level work as a business owner. Mentioned in this episode: Book a 90-Minute Intensive: NatalieMBA.com/intensive Resources : 🔗 Join the Impact Collective Mastermind Waitlist (12 month program) ***next enrollment September 2025 | January 2026 🔗 Work with me 1:1  (six month program) 🔗  See Impact Collective retreat photos   Connect With Me: 📩 DM me on LinkedIn if you’re thinking about joining the next mastermind! ➕ Enjoy the episode? Follow & Subscribe.  

It's been a minute since I've featured a client success story, and today's interview with Christine Schweitzer of Holistic Grants was well worth the wait. Christine has experienced incredible growth, moving from solo grant writer to owner of a thriving consulting firm. Today, she's sharing openly about the highs and lows of scaling, including hiring her first employee, transitioning client relationships from herself to her team, and swapping spreadsheets for a robust project management system in ClickUp. We also chat about the power of coaching and how the Impact Collective Mastermind has accelerated Christine's growth (including a full-circle moment with fellow mastermind member and previous guest, Lakeesha Morris-Moreau). If you're navigating the shift from solo consulting to a small firm or dreaming of getting there, you'll relate to Christine’s journey and the practical insights she shares. Mentioned in this Episode: Visit the Holistic Grants website Connect with Christine Schwitzer on LinkedIn Episode 8 with Lakeisha Morris-Moreau Resources : 🔗 Join the Impact Collective Mastermind Waitlist  ***next enrollment September 2025 | January 2026 🔗 Work with me 1:1 🔗  See Impact Collective retreat photos + my LinkedIn post   Connect With Me: 📩 DM me on LinkedIn if you’re thinking about joining the next mastermind! ➕ Enjoy the episode? Follow & Subscribe.  

Let’s go behind the scenes of the Impact Collective Mastermind Retreat—sharing why this experience exceeded my expectations and how it transformed both my clients and me. You'll hear: ✔️ The evolution of my masterminds—how I went from my first paid mastermind in 2015 to hosting curated retreats for experienced nonprofit consultants. ✔️ Standout moments, including hot tub hot seats, game-changing Uber ride referrals, and a framework session that left my clients energized and taking immediate action. ✔️ Lessons you can apply to your own business, whether you’re growing your consulting firm or looking for a mastermind that truly gets you. ✔️ The power of in-person connection and why this retreat—exclusively for nonprofit consultants—was different from anything I’ve hosted before. ✔️ How diversity in expertise, backgrounds, and lived experiences created richer conversations, deeper insights, and tangible business breakthroughs. ✔️ Standout moments, including hot tub hot seats, game-changing Uber ride referrals, and a framework session that left my clients energized and taking immediate action. ✔️ Lessons you can apply to your own business, whether you’re growing your consulting firm or looking for a mastermind that truly gets you.   Links & Resources Mentioned: 🔗 Join the Impact Collective Mastermind Waitlist 🔗 Work with me 1:1 🔗 See retreat photos + my LinkedIn post 🔗 Email Tiffany Smith for project management support: tiffanie@tiffaniemsmith.com   Connect With Me: 📩 DM me on LinkedIn if you’re thinking about joining the next mastermind! 📅 Next enrollment: September 2025 | January 2026 ➕ Enjoy the episode? Follow & Subscribe.

Learn how to take charge of your consulting growth with the innovative Dream 15 strategy. This approach helps you build a list of ideal clients, enhance networking efforts, and actively engage with top prospects. Discover the balance between profitability and client needs while overcoming common challenges in nonprofit consulting. With actionable tips and a focus on mindset, this discussion empowers you to attract the right clients and foster meaningful connections.

Have you ever struggled with proposals leading to indecision or ghosting? The solutions are waiting for you in Part 3 of the Business Growth Sereies. Let's help you convert more prospects into clients. I will cover: The Consultative Selling Approach. Shift from pitching to guiding your prospects toward a confident yes. The Discovery Call How to gather key details upfront to create a proposal that aligns with client needs. The Circle Back Call Why presenting proposals in real time prevents misalignment and increases conversions. The Power of a One-Option Proposal – How simplifying choices leads to faster decisions and positions you as the expert. But that’s just the beginning! There are more insights and strategies inside that will help you refine your approach, eliminate uncertainty, and close your next client with confidence.   📩 Invitation to a Chat with Me: If you’ve been a Nonprofit Consultant for at least a year and your business revenue is essential to your personal finances, I’d love to connect with you. This conversation is purely to learn more about what nonprofit consultants are struggling with right now, make a meaningful connection, and understand trends in the industry. Book a 25 minute conversation with me here!   ‼️ Let’s work together: In my 90-minute intensive, we’ll tackle up to 3 strategic challenges and create your personalized action plan for the next 6 months. You’ll also get access to one of my workshops and workbooks. It’s fast, focused, and effective! Ideal for businesses that have been operating for at least a year and those who are motivated to take action. Explore my website for more resources: NatalieMBA.com.

Discover the secret to a steady stream of referrals by connecting your LinkedIn activity to offline conversations. Explore a captivating case study showcasing how consistent content leads to valuable business connections. Learn how Social Exchange Theory can deepen relationships and boost referrals. Uncover the Principle of Consistency for smoother dialogue, both online and offline. Gain practical strategies for turning LinkedIn into a powerful tool for engaging, authentic conversations.

Are you spending more time creating content than having conversations with your network? It’s time to rethink your strategy and prioritize conversations over content. In this episode, I dive into why meaningful conversations are the key to growing your nonprofit consulting business. You will learn: Why conversations matter more than content for busines growth. How the 3 Circles Concept helps you strategically engage with your network. The power of social capital and why your connections are your best asset. How to leverage reciprocity to strengthen your network and create lasting business opportunities. I also share practical steps to help you keep your network alive, even when you’re busy with client work.  📩 Invitation to a Conversation with Me: If you’ve been a Nonprofit Consultant for at least a year and your business revenue is essential to your personal finances, I’d love to connect with you. This conversation is purely to learn more about what nonprofit consultants are struggling with right now, make a meaningful connection, and understand trends in the industry. Book a 25 minute conversation with me here!   Resources mentioned in this episode: Nikki Raush’s Sales Mavens Podcast – Learn more about sales strategies and how to use conversations effectively. Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point – Discusses the importance of Connectors, Mavens, and Salespeople in your network.  The 7-Day Conversation Challenge – Connect with me on LinkedIn and let me know you are participating! Stay tuned for next week’s episode: How your content can 📣amplify your conversations and help you build a more connected, engaged network.   ‼️Let's Work Together. In my 90-minute intensive, we’ll solve up to 3 strategic issues you are facing plus create your personalized gameplan for the next 6 months. This session also includes one of my workshops and workbooks related to what you are focusing on next. Plus, I work fast and we get more accomplished then you can imagine! This session is best for those that have been in business for at least a year.   Explore my website NatalieMBA.com.

Welcome to a MASTERCLASS on scaling a consulting business from $200K to $500K. This phase of business has one of the STEEPEST LEARNING CURVES because so much is changing at once. If you feel overwhelmed, you’re not alone—this is the stage where every major area of your business shifts simultaneously. In this episode, I dive into the unspoken challenges that occur as you grow toward $500K, including changes in your clients, team, finances, operations, mindset, and leadership. I have personally listened to A LOT of podcasts about growing a business and have never heard this phase addressed in the comprehensive way I do in this episode.  Drawing from my work with nonprofit consultants and service providers, I break down why this stage of business growth can feel overwhelming, why so few coaches specialize in it, and the key transformations you need to navigate successfully. If you’re in this growth phase, know that you’re not alone. There’s a path through the messy middle, and I’m here to guide you through it. ***Please share this with at least one other consultant today.*** Work With Me: Get clarity on your next best move and a strategic roadmap through the messy middle. In my 90-minute intensive, we’ll create a personalized plan to package a service that fits your business goals and helps you thrive. Learn more at https://nataliemba.com/intensive.   Connect with Natalie on LinkedIn   Explore NatalieMBA.com