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/

Why do feelings sometimes mislead us in business? Cindy and Jess dive into how to keep emotions in check and focus on data, especially as we head toward 2025. Jess shares insights from her record-breaking year and explains why it’s essential to surround yourself with positive influences who push you forward. They also tackle the importance of tracking key metrics like conversion rates, lead generation, and sales calls—because knowing your numbers beats going by "gut feeling" every time! This episode offers a wealth of practical advice on setting up systems to measure success and making intentional decisions based on solid facts.

Plus, Cindy and Jess discuss the power of networking and asking for business directly. Instead of chasing shiny distractions like social media or podcasts, they encourage you to focus on face-to-face connections, especially if you're looking to wrap up the year with new clients. Jess breaks down her recent experience at a local nonprofit conference, highlighting how in-person conversations can accelerate the client-finding process. Check out this episode if you're ready to realign with your goals, take purposeful action, and enter 2025 stronger than ever!

5 Key Takeaways:

• Feelings Aren't Facts – Just because something feels hard doesn’t mean it’s reflected in your actual results. Jess emphasizes the importance of separating emotions from business data to get a clear, accurate view of success.
• Track Your Metrics – Knowing your numbers is crucial. From lead generation to conversion rates, Cindy and Jess highlight the importance of tracking these figures so you can make informed decisions and adjust as needed.
• Focus on Networking Over Social Media – While social media has its place, the fastest path to new clients often comes through personal connections and networking, especially if time is tight for year-end goals.
• Ask for Business Directly – Don’t be afraid to reach out and let your network know you’re available for work. Jess explains that simply asking can open doors, so prioritize these genuine conversations over passive marketing.
• Cut Distractions, Execute Your Plan – Set aside time-wasting activities and focus on your core tasks. Cindy and Jess remind listeners to limit consumption of new content and instead put existing knowledge into action.

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

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:

Airtable: https://www.airtable.com/

Dielle Charon Coaching: https://diellecharon.com/

Diary of a CEO Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/TheDiaryOfACEO

Locus of Control Theory