Behind The Scenes

Tuesday July 7, 2020 comments

Any accounting, business or tax advice in this here podcast is not intended as a thorough in depth analysis of your specific issues. It's not a substitute for a formal opinion. It is not good enough to avoid tax related penalties. Got to tell you this because don't want y'all coming for me. Hey, it's Chyla Graham. Welcome to season three of the Nonprofit Nuggets Podcast. This season is going to be about infrastructure and systems. You know, the things I love. I'll be talking to some friends and you get to hear their interviews spread out over time. Because as you know, we keep these things short and sweet, but for those of you who want a little bit more in depth, and you're like, I'd rather listen to them all at one time, head over to our website, we'll post those there.

Did you know that I offer free 30 minute strategy sessions, strategy sessions are time for you to come with questions about the challenges your nonprofit is facing and for us to work through what that looks like, are there some resources that you need to be connected with? Are there some tools that we have that could guide you? Strategy sessions are free because I want you to have this time to really flesh out and talk out loud about what your organization is needing and if CNRG is a fit, great. But if not, we really want to make sure that you have what you need to take the next best step. Book a time on my calendar using calendly.com/cnrg/strategy. Back to the episode.

Chyla Graham:

Okay. So that is a great transition to my behind-the-scenes section. So I want to know a little bit more about you as a business owner and how you are managing all the pieces, just because I feel like this is going to happen. This is going to be like the logical one. What's one piece of advice that has helped you grow or what's one tool that's helped you grow as a business owner and a leader?

Amanda Wallander Roberts:

I would say the biggest thing for me has been getting to know other consultants, especially when I first started out, doing some informational interviews and just being like, "Hey, here's what I'm thinking. What do you think? How'd you start your business." Especially in the Denver community and I'm sure beyond, but this is my experience, other consultants are just so like, "Oh, here, let me help you. And here's this lesson that I learned the hard way. Don't learn it yourself. Just know it."

Amanda Wallander Roberts:

I got so much great advice that I feel like it saved me years and years of toil as a consultant. So honestly, anytime someone's like, "I'm thinking of becoming a consultant." I'm like, "Great. Interview every consultant you can find that's kind of in your realm."

Chyla Graham:

Yeah. And I think because for most of us, we were just like, I had no idea what I was doing.

Amanda Wallander Roberts:

Right.

Chyla Graham:

Now, if there's anything that I can help you save time on, you can have it.

Amanda Wallander Roberts:

Exactly.

Chyla Graham:

I'm always just like, you're going to help someone else down the line, I don't need this to be like, "You want to buy me coffee? It's fine. I don't actually need the coffee, I'm good. But could you get this information?" So I love it.

Chyla Graham:

For me, I've noticed that being all things to all people internally and for my clients can definitely be overwhelming. So how have you helped reduce your own overwhelm, whether it be client management or just internal operations?

Amanda Wallander Roberts:

So I'm a people person in the sense of I just want to help. I just want to help wherever I can, however I can. And I don't want to stop helping until I know you're good. Sometimes though, I'm not the best person to help with your particular need, even though I've helped with other things. You know what I mean? And so really recognizing okay, where are my strengths? And focusing on those. And then after interviewing all those consultants, I know so many people and I can just send referrals. That's been so, so helpful because then I'm not stuck in situations where I'm having to do things that I'm not as good at and things that I'm not as passionate about. So for me, it's been mainly saying no to the projects that don't align with my strengths and skillsets and interests, and referring them out.

Chyla Graham:

That's for all consultants, I feel, as for nonprofit leaders to be like, "Actually, that does not fit into what we're doing-"

Amanda Wallander Roberts:

Right.

Chyla Graham:

"But we know so many great organizations. Would you like an email introduction?"

Amanda Wallander Roberts:

There you go. A warm introduction or, "I'll give you their website." Absolutely.

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