Advancing the Common Good - Social Catalyst Consulting

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business consulting and services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Amy Chan, Founder of Social Catalyst Consulting, located in Chicago, IL, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

My firm, Social Catalyst Consulting, supports organizations that are interested in equity, social justice issues, and community engagement. In my consulting capacity, I draw upon my leadership experience with several national organizations guiding them through their periods of change and innovation, including during start-up, strategic pivot, and expansion phases. My clients include nonprofits, businesses, and educational institutions.

Tell us about yourself

I’ve always taken an entrepreneurial approach to my work and wanted to start my own business so I could have a lot more autonomy to shape and drive my work. I really enjoy working with ambitious leaders who are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and supporting marginalized individuals and communities. There is beauty and power in recognizing our shared humanity. I have appreciated the opportunities to learn with and from my consulting clients, who are passionate about creating a more just world. Based on my upbringing and personal values, I am motivated to pay it forward and provide strategic planning and advice to help organizations advance their goals.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner has been dictating my own terms and establishing a good work-life balance. Over the past four years, I’ve contributed to 20+ meaty and meaningful projects while having the freedom to work with whomever I choose, work whenever I choose, and wherever I choose. I am so grateful to have built a financially viable company to afford me this flexibility. I love supporting organizations to develop effective strategies and a clear roadmap with specific goals and milestones to make their work more scalable and sustainable. It has been great to help them build the necessary infrastructure, processes, and protocols to sustain and scale their work.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

One of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is not knowing exactly what the next project or the year’s revenue may be. However, I make it a point to seek out prospective clients through my networking or make my network aware of my expertise. I get referrals and make financial projections to still meet my revenue goals. It is also sometimes challenging working with ambiguity at the beginning of projects when I’m trying to assess exactly where organizations are in their evolution and meet them where they’re at. It becomes a lot clearer as I work closely and collaborate with the executive leaders and their staff teams to understand their hopes and aspirations and find the most realistic and feasible way to leverage their collective talents, expertise, and assets to achieve their ambitious goals.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

1. Know your value. Demonstrate your value. Communicate your value. Get paid for the value you bring.
2. Work with people who are values- and mission-aligned with you.
3. Expand and build your network by joining various groups and attending relevant events. Through these engagements (hopefully fun!), you could meet prospective clients and explore opportunities for collaboration that are mutually beneficial.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.socialcatalystconsulting.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-chan-chicago/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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