Michael Rubin — Episode 43

Michael Rubin is the Principal and Founder at Michael D. Rubin & Associates. Michael has been running his consultancy since 2002 and has built his business to support 4 other consultants, which help meet his client’s needs.

Learn more about his consultancy at http://www.mdrubin.com. Learn more about MarketSmart at http://www.imarketsmart.com.

Scott Koskoski — Episode 42

Scott Koskoski is a Senior Performance Mentor at BrightDot. BrightDot focuses on coaching fundraisers to reach their goals. Scott got into fundraising because of his experience getting a scholarship and meeting the donor who enabled him to go to college and shares from this unique perspective as a fundraiser directly impacted by a donor.

Learn more about BrightDot at http://www.thebrightdot.com. Learn more about MarketSmart at http://www.imarketsmart.com.

Mary Cahalane — Episode 41

Mary Cahalane is the Principal at Hands-On Fundraising. Her consultancy focuses on copywriting and teaching nonprofits a donor first approach to fundraising.

Learn more about Hands-On Fundraising at http://www.handsonfundraising.com.

Learn more about MarketSmart at http://www.imarketsmart.com.

Hannah Zollman – Episode 40

Hannah Zollman is the Founder and Principal at Mission Driven Fundraising. Her focus is on helping mission-driven organizations build their fundraising departments to be self-sufficient and successful.

Learn more about Mission Driven Fundraising at www.missiondrivenfundraising.com.

Click here to listen on YouTube!

Topic Timestamps
• Introduction [00:00]
• Introducing Hannah Zollman [01:36]
• How’d you come up with the name? [02:01]
• What’s your background? [03:19]
• What attracted you to fundraising work? [04:25]
• What lessons did you learn working for nonprofits? [05:26]
• How’d you decide to start your own business? [06:27]
• What services do you offer? [07:40]
• How do you onboard clients? [08:25]
• Working with smaller nonprofits [09:34]
• Helping with the hiring process [10:46]
• How do you market yourself? [13:23]
• Do you focus on local nonprofits? [14:10]
• Setting the right goals and expectations [14:43]
• What lessons have you learned so far? [15:45]
• Your first year [16:34]
• What’s your business model? [17:39]
• Your favorite tools [18:33]
• Any habits you’ve developed? [19:11]
• Do you have a typical schedule? [20:01]
• Free Podcast Offer – Engagement Fundraising Audiobook [20:37]
• Lightning Round [21:17]
• Where can people find more info? [23:21]

Amy Varga – Episode 39

Amy Varga is the president of the Varga Group. Learn about her background as a fundraiser and a university professor to future fundraisers. We also dive into how she determined what services to offer and how to create a successful and profitable consultancy. Amy is a very thoughtful business owner and shares some invaluable information for those looking to start their own business.

Learn more about The Varga Group at www.TheVargaGroup.com.

Click here to listen on YouTube!

Topic Timestamps
• Introduction [00:00]
• Introducing Amy Varga [01:41]
• How’d you develop the list of services you offer? [02:18]
• Why is board development a passion of yours? [03:01]
• Teaching future fundraisers [03:52]
• What were the style of the classes? [05:06]
• What organizations did you work for prior to starting your business? [06:30]
• What were the biggest lessons from those years working at nonprofits? [07:03]
• What was year 1 like? [08:26]
• How long did it take for you to go full time? [10:45]
• Any past students that are now clients? [11:16]
• Have you had to adjust your pricing? [12:14]
• How do you onboard new clients? [13:00]
• How do you sell yourself? [13:53]
• Outsourcing work? [18:54]
• Writing [19:43]
• Your monthly newsletter [19:58]
• Social Media [20:54]
• How much of your work is done onsite with the client? [21:36]
• What tools and apps do you use? [22:30]
• What’s your typical schedule like? [23:41]
• Podcast Exclusive Offer – Free Audiobook [24:38]
• Lightning Round [25:18]
• Where can people find more info? [27:26]