How do you rebuild your business—and your confidence—when it feels like everything is falling apart? In this heartfelt and deeply personal episode, Jess and Cindy welcome back Kishshana Palmer, CEO of ManageMint, to share the real story behind her business reinvention. Kishshana doesn’t hold back as she opens up about the rollercoaster of running a million-dollar company, only to watch it all crumble in an unexpected moment. From struggling to pay her mortgage to using her savings to keep her team together, Kishshana takes us through the hard lessons she’s learned—and the inspiring way she’s climbing back up.

This conversation is for anyone who’s hit a rough patch in their consulting business and wondered if they’d make it through. Kishshana reminds us that resilience isn’t about bouncing back overnight—it’s about redefining what success looks like and prioritizing your well-being in the process.

5 Key Takeaways:

• Resilience in Business: Kishshana’s story is proof that even when life knocks you down, you can rebuild and come back with more clarity and focus.
• Wellness Comes First: Taking care of your health—mentally and physically—isn’t just good for you, it’s a game-changer for your business too.
• Protect Your Energy: Kishshana reminds us it’s okay to say “no” and step away from people or things that don’t align with your values.
• Rebranding with Purpose: A fresh take on her business helped Kishshana attract the right clients and finally made her work feel aligned with her mission.
• Leadership Done Right: It’s not about hustling harder—it’s about creating spaces where your team can thrive and everyone feels good showing up.

Find Us Online: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com

Connect with Kishshana:

Kishshana’s Website: https://www.kishshanapalmer.com/

Busy Is a Four-Letter Word will be available on December 12, 2023. Pre-order your copy here: kishshanapalmer.com/book.

ManageMint’s Website: https://www.managemint.co/

Connect with Cindy:

Cindy Wagman Coaching: cindywagman.com

Fractional Fundraising Network: fractionalfundraising.co/

LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/in/cindywagman

Connect with Jess:

Out In the Boons: outintheboons.me

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jesscampbelloutntiheboons/

What does it take to build a micro-agency that scales without sacrificing flexibility? In this episode of Confessions, Cindy and Jess chat with conversion copywriter Eman Ismail, founder of Eman CopyCo, about her journey to creating a micro-agency. With experience working in the charity sector, Eman dives deep into her decision to transition from solo work to a micro-agency model that lets her balance big projects with a flexible lifestyle. They talk about the nuts and bolts of managing client work with a contractor team, fostering client trust, and scaling up with intention (no big, overwhelming teams here!). Eman also shares her launch journey—complete with website rebranding, new team introductions, and some bold shifts in positioning.

Tune in to hear how Eman navigates hiring, pricing, and marketing, and why it’s crucial to find the right experts who can deliver quality. If you’re curious about building your own agency or hiring top-tier support, Eman’s insights will resonate!

5 Key Takeaways:

• Micro-Agency = Flexibility: Eman highlights how her micro-agency model allows her to hire when needed, avoid full-time employee obligations, and keep a flexible work-life balance.
• Client Trust in Contractors: Through careful branding and clear messaging, Eman builds trust with clients to work directly with her contractors, taking herself out of the day-to-day work loop.
• Pricing for Quality Work: Eman stresses the value of paying for quality. Her team’s expertise comes with a cost, but it’s worth it for reliable results and strong client satisfaction.
• Marketing with Intent: Post-launch, Eman found that her audience needed time to adjust. She’s now investing more than ever in intentional marketing to showcase her agency’s strengths.
• Using Senja for Social Proof: Eman’s secret tool, Senja, helps her manage, organize, and promote testimonials across platforms—crucial for building credibility and converting new leads.

Find Us Online: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com

Connect with Eman:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eman-i307/?originalSubdomain=uk

Website: https://www.emancopyco.com/

Podcast: https://www.emancopyco.com/podcast

Connect with Cindy:

Cindy Wagman Coaching: cindywagman.com

Fractional Fundraising Network: fractionalfundraising.co/

LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/in/cindywagman

Connect with Jess:

Out In the Boons: outintheboons.me

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jesscampbelloutintheboons/

Resources:

Senja

Kit (formerly ConvertKit)

BS Free Business

Six-Figure Freelance Copywriter

Eman’s Custom Email Packages

Eman’s Evergreen Product Suite

What should nonprofit consultants do when growth starts to feel like hitting a wall? In today’s episode of Confessions, Jess and I are thrilled to welcome Natalie Ekdahl, CEO of Biz Chix, Inc., a powerhouse coach for nonprofit consultants who want to scale without burning out. Natalie shares her no-nonsense approach to building a lucrative consulting business that prioritizes both financial success and personal freedom—no more trading time for dollars! We dive into common pitfalls consultants face when hitting growth bottlenecks, and Natalie unpacks why traditional business models and advice don’t always work for nonprofits. This episode is packed with actionable advice on how to create a sustainable path for growth that aligns with your strengths and values as a nonprofit consultant.

So, if you’re at capacity, but ready to grow, get comfy, because Natalie shares how to turn overwhelm into opportunity and the practical steps to make it happen. Whether it’s tackling pricing, setting boundaries, or the big question of who and when to hire, we cover the puzzle pieces you need for your next level of success.

5 Key Takeaways:

• Positioning is Everything - Natalie emphasizes the importance of defining a clear niche and service expertise to attract high-quality clients who are ready to pay for your unique value.
• Overcoming the “One-to-Many” Myth - Digital courses and one-to-many models can look tempting, but Natalie breaks down why they’re often not sustainable for consultants with smaller audiences or niche markets like nonprofits.
• The Value of Micro-Positions - When it comes to hiring, starting small with targeted micro-positions (like admin support) can buy back your time without the overwhelm of a big team.
• Boundaries & Mindset Shifts - Building a thriving consulting practice means setting clear boundaries with clients, learning to say no, and tackling mindset barriers around pricing and hiring.
• Nonprofit Audiences Require Unique Approaches - Unlike B2C businesses, nonprofit clients often need additional consideration around budgeting, approvals, and relationship-building—things quick-sale tactics often overlook.

Find Us Online: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com

Connect with Natalie Eckdahl:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalieeckdahl/

Website: https://bizchix.com/

Podcast #1: https://nataliemba.com/The-Biz-of-Nonprofit-Consultants-Podcast

Podcast #2: https://bizchix.com/category/podcast/bizchix/

Connect with Cindy:

Cindy Wagman Coaching: cindywagman.com

Fractional Fundraising Network: fractionalfundraising.co/

LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/in/cindywagman

Connect with Jess:

Out In the Boons: outintheboons.me

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jesscampbelloutintheboons/