The Biz of Nonprofit Consultants

Natalie Eckdahl, MBA

Are you a Nonprofit Consultant pulled between making an impact and running a profitable business? Join Natalie Eckdahl, MBA, on a podcast crafted just for you. With 25 years of diverse experience as a management consultant, market researcher, small business owner and business coach, Natalie shares practical strategies to balance purpose and profit. Through engaging discussions, trainings, and client stories, Natalie covers everything from pricing and proposals to maintaining client boundaries and tackling hiring and leadership hurdles. Her talent for simplifying complex ideas ensures you'll leave each episode with actionable insights to propel your consultancy forward. But it's not all about numbers – Natalie also stresses the importance of mindset and resilience as a small business owner. As a mom of 3 and caregiver, she cherishes time with loved ones. With her guidance, you'll gain the confidence and clarity to overcome obstacles and reach your business goals while creating a fulfilling personal life. Whether you're a seasoned consultant or an accidental entrepreneur, this podcast is your roadmap to success. Tune in and let Natalie help you unlock your full potential as a Nonprofit Consultant – and maybe even skip a step or two along the way.

  1. 12/21/2025

    83: Inside the $1M-$3M Phase (Growing Pains Series)

    **APPLICATIONS CLOSE 12/31/25 FOR IMPACT COLLECTIVE MASTERMIND** What happens when your consulting business no longer needs you in the work but needs you to lead the leaders? In this final episode of the Growing Pains series, I break down what it really takes to build a Scalable Firm. This phase, often experienced somewhere between $1M and $3M in revenue, is defined by adding leadership layers, stepping fully into the CEO role, and creating the operational clarity required to support a growing team. I share why letting leaders lead is essential, how complexity increases as your client base and team expand, and what can happen when scalable operations are skipped. I also close with a final vignette of Jean, our fictional consultant, to illustrate what this stage can look like when it's navigated with intention and strong leadership. This episode is for nonprofit consultants who want to build a firm that creates real impact, supports their life, and actually works. Better Together! 💫Apply to the Impact Collective Mastermind (Apply by Dec 31) A high-touch, year-long mastermind for nonprofit consultants earning $200K and above. Applications are open now. Includes two in person retreats, group calls, training library and private 1:1 coaching. 🎯Book a 90-Minute Intensive Decide on your scalable offer, get out of overwhelm, and leave with a clear Game Plan. 💡Private 1:1 Coaching Natalie currently has two openings available. After these are filled, a waitlist will open. 🎙The Biz of Nonprofit Consultants Podcast Home https://nataliemba.com/The-Biz-of-Nonprofit-Consultants-Podcast

    22 min
  2. 12/14/2025

    82: Inside the $700K-$1M Stage (Growing Pains Series)

    **APPLICATIONS CLOSE 12/31/25 FOR IMPACT COLLECTIVE MASTERMIND** The $700K–$1M stage is a pivotal moment for many nonprofit consulting firms. Visibility increases, stronger talent begins to find you, and leadership demands rise in ways that often feel heavier than expected. This is the phase where achievement must shift from personal client work to team success, and where many consultants plateau without meaning to. In this episode, I unpack what actually changes at this level, including the move toward a full-time team, the need to simplify and refine your offer, the importance of operational and financial maturity, and the leadership and mindset shifts required to stop rescuing the business and start leading it. This stage is not just about growth. It is about evolving into the kind of leader your business now requires so growth becomes sustainable instead of exhausting.   Better Together! 💫Apply to the Impact Collective Mastermind (Apply by Dec 31) A high-touch, year-long mastermind for nonprofit consultants earning $200K and above. Applications are open now. 🎯Book a 90-Minute Intensive Decide on your scalable offer, get out of overwhelm, and leave with a clear Game Plan. 💡Private 1:1 Coaching Natalie currently has two openings available. After these are filled, a waitlist will open. 🎙The Biz of Nonprofit Consultants Podcast Home https://nataliemba.com/The-Biz-of-Nonprofit-Consultants-Podcast

    20 min
  3. 12/01/2025

    79: Inside the $0-$200K Stage (Growing Pains Series)

    **APPLICATIONS CLOSE 12/31/25 FOR IMPACT COLLECTIVE MASTERMIND** Most consultants start their business without a clear roadmap. They rely on referrals, hustle and hope. In this episode, I break down Phase 1 of the Scalable Consulting Firm Method: the Foundations Phase, from $0 to $200K in revenue. Whether you're consulting full time or part time, this stage can feel intense. You're learning how to deliver client work and run a business at the same time. I share common mistakes to avoid, what to prioritize and why keeping things simple will serve you best. I also share what kind of coaching support is most helpful at this stage, including how to find the right program or coach to help you build a strong foundation. P.S. I don't typically work with consultants in this phase, but I want you to have the roadmap so you know what to focus on now and when it makes sense to seek deeper support.   Resources Mentioned 💫Apply to the Impact Collective Mastermind A high-touch, year-long mastermind for nonprofit consultants earning $200K and above. Applications are open now. 🎯Book a 90-Minute Intensive Decide on your scalable offer, get out of overwhelm, and leave with a clear Game Plan. 💡Private 1:1 Coaching Natalie currently has two openings available. After these are filled, a waitlist will open. 🎙The Biz of Nonprofit Consultants Podcast Home https://nataliemba.com/The-Biz-of-Nonprofit-Consultants-Podcast

    16 min
  4. 11/10/2025

    76: Scalable Leadership with Amanda Silver: Confidence, Culture and Clarity for Growing Consultants

    If every 🔥fire routes back to you, your team has learned that only you can fix it. My guest and client Amanda Silver, a leadership consultant and executive coach,shares how to rewrite that pattern through practical tools for scalable leadership, coaching and accountability. 💡We talk about what it really means to lead as your firm scales, how to delegate effectively, build a healthy culture and hold authority without losing empathy. You'll learn: Why every consultant needs to develop Scalable Leadership as they grow. How to use the  "Skill and Will Matrix" to assess and coach your team. The mindset shifts required to move from doer to leader. How to balance empathy and accountability when leading a small team. If you are building a team of any size, this episode will help you step into leadership with more ease and purpose. ⭐️ Connect with Amanda Silver: Webiste:AmandaSilver.com Amanda's LinkedIn   Let's grow YOUR consulting firm together!  🔥Currently reviewing applications for our JANUARY start of the 2026 Impact Collective Mastermind Program. ***Ideal for consultants earning $300K to $1M in annual revenue. Apply for The Impact Collective Mastermind Program: NatalieMBA.com/impact-collective   🎯Book a 90-Minute Intensive: NatalieMBA.com/intensive Best first step for us to work together. Investment: $997. Let's work on your Scalable Offer, Scalable Ops or ScalableLeadership! Decisions and a plan in one session, plus my Sales Forecast Tool and a focused Game Plan. Clarity Guarantee: Not worth the investment? Request a full refund within 24 hours. Visit my website: NatalieMBA.com

    1h 7m
5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Are you a Nonprofit Consultant pulled between making an impact and running a profitable business? Join Natalie Eckdahl, MBA, on a podcast crafted just for you. With 25 years of diverse experience as a management consultant, market researcher, small business owner and business coach, Natalie shares practical strategies to balance purpose and profit. Through engaging discussions, trainings, and client stories, Natalie covers everything from pricing and proposals to maintaining client boundaries and tackling hiring and leadership hurdles. Her talent for simplifying complex ideas ensures you'll leave each episode with actionable insights to propel your consultancy forward. But it's not all about numbers – Natalie also stresses the importance of mindset and resilience as a small business owner. As a mom of 3 and caregiver, she cherishes time with loved ones. With her guidance, you'll gain the confidence and clarity to overcome obstacles and reach your business goals while creating a fulfilling personal life. Whether you're a seasoned consultant or an accidental entrepreneur, this podcast is your roadmap to success. Tune in and let Natalie help you unlock your full potential as a Nonprofit Consultant – and maybe even skip a step or two along the way.