The Biz of Nonprofit Consultants

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

Are custom proposals leaving you stressed and swamped? Discover how standardized services can transform your workflow and boost your profitability. Learn the benefits of simplifying your offerings and see real-life success stories from other consultants. Explore practical steps to create scalable services that align with your business goals. Embrace the power of standardization and free yourself to focus on what truly matters in your nonprofit consulting journey!

New coaching clients often share they don't know how to hire another consultant. They say things like,  "I don’t know how to find someone that knows all the things I know and who can work with clients in all the ways I work with them."   The truth is, they are right. Most people who have all of their capabilities alreay have their own business or are running an organization. They are not available for hire and if they were it would likely be too expensive to have them on your team.   When you do a lot of types of work for different types and sizes of organizations, hiring decisions feel overwhelming because there’s no clarity on the exact skills or expertise needed.   The solution is to focus on positioning your buisness away from being a generalist. Once you specialize by what you do and/or niche by the organizations you serve, it simplifies everything in your business including hiring.   CASE STUDY: Using examples from fundraising, I cover how targeting particular services or clients can facilitate easier hiring, more efficient team building, and ultimately, business growth     🎧Check out episodes #3, #8, #10 and #41 for more support.     Explore NatalieMBA.com       May I support you as your grow your consulting business?  💫Book a 90 Minute Intensive  (Usually I have a few spots open. This is for ANY consultant that has been in business at least a year.) 💫 1:1 Coaching with Natalie Eckdahl, MBA Ready for a Coach and Mentor who provides a customized approach to your stage of business AND life? I work with all business levels in private coaching. Step one, submit and application. Step two, we hop on a zoom call, so we can determine if it's a mutual fit. 💫 Impact Collective Mastermind There’s still time to join the Impact Collective Mastermind! This exclusive program is designed for established Nonprofit Consultants with annual revenues between $180K and $500K. It’s your path to scaling and sustaining consistent multi-six-figure years. You’ll connect with a dynamic community of like-minded consultants who value collaboration, continuous learning, meaningful impact, and profitability. This is your opportunity to grow alongside peers who get it. All humans welcome—let’s create impact together!   Connect with Natalie on LinkedIn   Explore NatalieMBA.com  

Feeling overwhelmed because you waited too long to hire? Now the thought of tackling it on top of your already packed schedule feels impossible. But here’s the catch: you can’t grow—or reclaim precious time for what you truly love—without help. In this episode, we’ll break down how to identify the role that will bring you the most relief. Spoiler: the first hire you need might not be for your business but for your home.   May I support you as your grow your consulting business?  💫Book a 90 Minute Intensive  (Usually I have a few spots open. This is for ANY consultant that has been in business at least a year.) 💫 1:1 Coaching with Natalie Eckdahl, MBA Ready for a Coach and Mentor who provides a customized approach to your stage of business AND life? I work with all business levels in private coaching. Step one, submit and application. Step two, we hop on a zoom call, so we can determine if it's a mutual fit. 💫 Impact Collective Mastermind There’s still time to join the Impact Collective Mastermind! This exclusive program is designed for established Nonprofit Consultants with annual revenues between $180K and $500K. It’s your path to scaling and sustaining consistent multi-six-figure years. You’ll connect with a dynamic community of like-minded consultants who value collaboration, continuous learning, meaningful impact, and profitability. This is your opportunity to grow alongside peers who get it. All humans welcome—let’s create impact together!   Connect with Natalie on LinkedIn   Explore NatalieMBA.com