Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in consultancy but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Catalina Parker, Co-Founder of Relatable Nonprofit, located in Charleston, SC, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Relatable Nonprofit empowers growth-driven women with nonprofit hearts to succeed in consulting.
Tell us about yourself
I'm Catalina. I am the Co-Founder at Relatable Nonprofit. I got into nonprofit work straight out of college and was fortunate enough to land myself a six-figure job at the age of 24.
Soon after, I was recruited by a $500 million private grant-making foundation. This foundation role was my dream job. Going from asking for money as a nonprofit employee to giving money away as a funder was a total pinch-me moment.
After almost five years in my dream job, I realized I was miserable. I let my work addiction take over my life. I wasn't prioritizing self-care. My relationships with loved ones were at an all-time low. I had hit rock bottom and knew I needed to make a change.
So, I sold my house, packed all my belongings into two storage pods, and booked a trip to Hawaii to figure out my next move. That's when I texted Julia Devine, a former coworker, to see if she wanted to start a business. The rest is history.
Over the last two years, we have built a successful consulting agency to serve incredible nonprofits and could not be happier. We have benefited so much from this experience that we decided to teach others how to do it.
Today, Relatable Nonprofit empowers growth-driven women with nonprofit hearts to succeed in consulting. We teach nonprofit people how to launch and scale their businesses.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
One of my biggest accomplishments as a business owner is building a successful nonprofit consulting agency with my partner. Within 12 months, we were able to generate a six-figure income without accumulating any debt, even though we initially invested $1500 each to start the business. In 2024, we started a new venture to teach others how to do what we did.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
As a business owner, one of the toughest challenges is finding a balance between work and personal life. It is not easy to switch off work mode, especially when there seems to always be something demanding attention. For me, implementing strict boundaries, such as setting blocks of time on my calendar for work and personal activities, helps.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Know your "why": Understanding your purpose will keep you motivated when facing challenges. Knowing why you are pursuing your business venture gives you a strong foundation on which to build.
- Find a supportive community: Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who can offer support and guidance. Remember, you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Having a network of people who believe in you makes a significant difference.
- Believe in the limitless possibilities: Your mindset will be a determining factor in your success. Believe that anything is possible and maintain a positive attitude.
You can connect with Catalina Parker:
Website: https://www.relatablenonprofit.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/relatable_nonprofit/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catalinaparker/
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