E79: Running a Transparent, Open-Book Agency with Sarah Olivieri
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Show Notes:
Sarah Olivieri is the owner and Nonprofit Digital Strategist at PivotGround. She brings a company’s mission to life with strategic nonprofit consulting.
The founder and heart behind PivotGround, Sarah leads her team of digital experts to help human-service nonprofits increase capacity, deliver better programming, attract more funding, and make the world a better place.
It can be lonely in the Executive Director seat. Sarah knows, because she’s been there. That’s why she brings over 15 years of nonprofit leadership and 14+ years of being a web professional together to make life simpler, clearer, and more exciting.
Episode highlights:
- The big difference between partnering with businesses to outsource work and working with an individual contractor.
- How clients respond to working with multiple businesses through Sarah’s company.
- Why it’s okay to own a business without a partner.
- Why a partnership may not be the solution for you, even if you feel lonely running your business.
- Why it’s critically important to lean on that accountability chart.
- How to encourage employees to give you their best.
- Best advice: Follow the recipe first.
- Personal habit that contributes to success: “No excuses” meditation
- Internet resource or tool: Cloze and a stand-up/sit-down desk with a high-quality mat
- Book recommendation: The Great Game of Business by Jack Stack
Links:
Quotes:
- “We were our own team.”
- “Some people are attracted to taking on a business partner because they feel lonely.”
- “You don’t have to be lonely.”
- “Having partners can dilute your ability to all go in one direction.”
- “We’ve definitely had conflict.”
- “That is your job: to get the work done.”
- “They don’t have to be a partner to share profits.”
Takeaways:
- Do you feel lonely and wonder if taking on a partner would solve that problem? Try joining a community that connects you with other entrepreneurs, all without the major shift that comes with a partner.
- Are you considering an alternative business model? Keep an eye on team members veering away from alignment.