As a consulting firm specializing in impact-driven businesses, we work with a lot of nonprofit organizations to help them scale their mission. Nonprofits tend to get really good at doing more with fewer resources, so in this episode, we’re passing some of those skills onto you as a for-profit business owner. If you feel held up because you don’t have enough team members, capital, or some other tangible resource, this episode is for you!Links mentioned: Episode 10: The Nuts & Bolts of Starting a BusinessSome key takeaways from this episode include: What non-profit owners must STOP doing to be successful Finding channel partners to collaborate with Scott’s story of securing a game-changing contract without a huge marketing budget Why managing less money now will serve you well once you have more Our “multiply without addition” philosophy explained Building an infrastructure for your business while you’re small, so you’re ready for growth when it comesYou started your business to solve a problem and leave a lasting impact in the world, but now the inertia of your business has taken over and you’re too busy and burned out to serve your community. That’s where we come in! Hosted by Scott Woods and Steff Thomas, the team behind Silverback Ventures, the Changemakers Collective podcast is here to help impact-driven business owners like you accelerate growth and multiply impact through servant leadership.Connect with Us:  Website Silverback Ventures LinkedIn Scott Woods LinkedIn Steff Thomas LinkedIn YouTube

Starting a business can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, we break down the most critical - and commonly missed - elements of starting a strong business. We use concrete examples throughout so you can see exactly what each step looks like in practice. We cover a ton of strategies in this episode, but we created a free resource for the logistical steps so you’re fully covered with action items!➡️Click here to download our free Business Formation Checklist to save time, money, and stress so you can start making an impact today.Links mentioned: Todd Greene, CPA, PLLC Scarlett’s Web | Website Design & DevelopmentIn this episode, we cover: Things to consider before you choose a business name When to spend money, and when to do things yourself for free Where and how to register your business Business banking must-haves Beginning with impact and problem-solving in mindYou started your business to solve a problem and leave a lasting impact in the world, but now the inertia of your business has taken over and you’re too busy and burned out to serve your community. That’s where we come in! Hosted by Scott Woods and Steff Thomas, the team behind Silverback Ventures, the Changemakers Collective podcast is here to help impact-driven business owners like you accelerate growth and multiply impact through servant leadership.Connect with Us:  Website Silverback Ventures LinkedIn Scott Woods LinkedIn Steff Thomas LinkedIn YouTube

If we asked you what your vision statement is, could you tell us right this second, or would you have to look it up? If your vision statement isn’t strong enough that you have it ready to share at all times, it probably isn’t strong enough to align your team on the impact you want to have. In this episode, we share how to overcome the common pitfalls of crafting a vision statement so you can maximize your impact through a shared company vision. In this episode, we cover: What organizations get wrong about vision statements The perfect length for a vision statement (it’s much shorter than you think!) How often you should revisit your vision statement Your role as a leader in articulating the vision The key elements of a great vision statement You started your business to make an impact in the world, but now you’re too busy and burned out on the day-to-day operations to serve your community. That’s where we come in! Hosted by Scott Woods and Steff Thomas, the team behind Silverback Ventures, the Changemakers Collective podcast is here to help impact-driven business owners like you to accelerate their growth through servant leadership. Connect with Us:  Website Silverback Ventures LinkedIn Scott Woods LinkedIn Steff Thomas LinkedIn YouTube

If there’s one thing we can agree on about work-life balance, it’s that it doesn’t exist. That being said, prioritizing time for family and self-care shouldn’t always feel like an uphill battle. In this episode, we discuss the unique challenges entrepreneurs face when it comes to spending time with their family while growing their business. We cover strategies from time blocking to boundary setting to help you avoid burnout and strengthen your personal relationships while you scale your business. In this episode, we cover: Why “work-life balance” is a myth Time management strategies to get you home at a good time Building a foundation of financial literacy to avoid overworking How your quality of life directly impacts your business The importance of surrounding yourself with mentors who exemplify putting their family first You started your business to make an impact in the world, but now you’re too busy and burned out on the day-to-day operations to serve your community. That’s where we come in! Hosted by Scott Woods and Steff Thomas, the team behind Silverback Ventures, the Changemakers Collective podcast is here to help impact-driven business owners like you to accelerate their growth through servant leadership. Connect with Us:  Website Silverback Ventures LinkedIn Scott Woods LinkedIn Steff Thomas LinkedIn YouTube

In an ever-growing business world, it might feel difficult to find a competitive advantage, especially if you’re in a saturated market. Your competitive advantage is the thing you do better, differently, or more targeted than anyone else, and it’s what can propel your business forward at lightning speed. In this episode, we talk through how to find your competitive advantage, then how to communicate it clearly to find your ideal clients. Some key takeaways from this episode include: Your competitive advantage can come from the unique problem you’re solving with your product or service. What product features are you delivering that no one else is? You have to be ready to pivot and evolve to keep up with changing markets and consumer habits. Your competitive advantage is still yours, but be willing to change how you deliver that unique advantage to meet your customer’s needs. Even if you’re in a saturated market, your client delivery experience, branding, messaging, or niche can all set you apart. That’s why it’s so important to spend enough time working on your business so you’re devoting time to honing these until they’re consistently attracting the right clients. You started your business to make an impact in the world, but now you’re too busy and burned out on the day-to-day operations to serve your community. That’s where we come in! Hosted by Scott Woods and Steff Thomas, the team behind Silverback Ventures, the Changemakers Collective podcast is here to help impact-driven business owners like you to accelerate their growth through servant leadership. Connect with Us:  Website Silverback Ventures LinkedIn Scott Woods LinkedIn Steff Thomas LinkedIn YouTube

Anybody can point out problems and call out what’s not working, but fewer people actually take the time to meaningfully solve those problems. In this episode, we discuss the importance of being a problem solver, not a problem identifier. This includes the necessity of leadership humility, which involves listening to team members, embracing their ideas, and sharing decision-making authority. We also offer insights on effective hiring practices to build a dynamic team aligned with your organization’s values. If you’re ready to stop being the bottleneck in your business by empowering your team to solve problems as they see them, this episode is for you! In this episode, we cover: How you as the business owner might be discouraging problem-solving Teaching your team how to take responsibility for problems they notice Coaching your team vs. consulting for your team Learning not to hold on too tightly to all the decision-making in your business Interview questions to help you build your problem-solving team Encouraging collaboration among team members to increase creative problem solving You started your business to make an impact in the world, but now you’re too busy and burned out on the day-to-day operations to serve your community. That’s where we come in! Hosted by Scott Woods and Steff Thomas, the team behind Silverback Ventures, the Changemakers Collective podcast is here to help impact-driven business owners like you to accelerate their growth through servant leadership. Connect with Us:  Website Silverback Ventures LinkedIn Scott Woods LinkedIn Steff Thomas LinkedIn YouTube

When we think about partnerships, we often think we have to give up ownership of our organization, but that isn’t always the case. In this episode, we discuss the importance of impact partnerships and community collaboration in business and nonprofit organizations. Our conversation highlights key aspects of forming partnerships, such as identifying needs, collaborating for growth, and establishing a shared vision. We also touch on the practical steps of scaling a business, effective communication, and the significance of supportive networks for long-term success. In this episode, we cover: The importance of impact partners Knowing your limits and when to seek expertise The importance of surrounding yourself with truth-tellers who give honest feedback How to choose the right impact partners for your business Embracing collaboration over competition The value of a personal board of directors You started your business to make an impact in the world, but now you’re too busy and burned out on the day-to-day operations to serve your community. That’s where we come in! Hosted by Scott Woods and Steff Thomas, the team behind Silverback Ventures, the Changemakers Collective podcast is here to help impact-driven business owners like you to accelerate their growth through servant leadership. Connect with Us:  Website Silverback Ventures LinkedIn Scott Woods LinkedIn Steff Thomas LinkedIn YouTube

If you started your business to create impact in your community, you might have quickly learned that you also need to make money in order for your business to thrive. In this episode, we answer a question we get asked all the time: should I prioritize my income or my impact first? Whether you’re trying to work your way back to making an impact after getting stuck in daily operations, or you’re trying to increase profit for your mission-driven business, this episode is for you! In this episode, we cover: Whether impact or income should be prioritized first How impact can be a force multiplier for your business Avoiding treating impact as a “leftover” effort Creating impact at every income level Leveraging collaboration to help with both income and impact What we can learn from Panera Bread and Samaritan’s Feet about impact that doesn’t feel like an afterthought You started your business to make an impact in the world, but now you’re too busy and burned out on the day-to-day operations to serve your community. That’s where we come in! Hosted by Scott Woods and Steff Thomas, the team behind Silverback Ventures, the Changemakers Collective podcast is here to help impact-driven business owners like you to accelerate their growth through servant leadership. Connect with Us:  Website Silverback Ventures LinkedIn Scott Woods LinkedIn Steff Thomas LinkedIn YouTube

It’s an exciting position to find yourself in: having more money than needed for immediate expenses at the end of the year. So, the big question is: what should you do with these leftover profits? Should you reinvest, save, support your community, or do a mix of the above? In this episode, we share the exact thought process to follow to make sure you’re stewarding your extra profits well. ➡️ If you’d like a more step-by-step approach to your annual strategic planning, download our free Strategic Planning Guide! Some key takeaways from this episode include: If your business is holding any high-interest debts, such as credit card debt or small business loans, pay those off first. Interest rates eat into your profits, and clearing these will free up your cash flow in the long term.  Investing wisely acts as a 'force multiplier'—streamlining operations, increasing capacity, and ultimately stimulating growth. When investing in your community, it's crucial to understand the needs of the people and causes you wish to support and align your contributions with those needs effectively. You started your business to make an impact in the world, but now you’re too busy and burned out on the day-to-day operations to serve your community. That’s where we come in! Hosted by Scott Woods and Steff Thomas, the team behind Silverback Ventures, the Changemakers Collective podcast is here to help impact-driven business owners like you to accelerate their growth through servant leadership. Connect with Us:  Website Silverback Ventures LinkedIn Scott Woods LinkedIn Steff Thomas LinkedIn YouTube

Strategic planning is crucial for the success of your company in the upcoming year, but there are so many things that organizations get wrong when it comes to planning. In this episode, we break down the mistakes we often see during the strategic planning process, and how you can avoid them to make 2025 the best year yet.  ➡️ If you’d like a more step-by-step approach to your annual strategic planning, download our free Strategic Planning Guide! Some key takeaways from this episode include: Use your core values and shared vision as the guardrails for your strategic planning. Your goals should all align with your core values and mission objectives and get you closer to your vision of success. Don’t conduct your strategic planning in a bubble. All of your key stakeholders and team members should bring the data and insights they’re responsible for to ensure you’re setting data-driven goals. Hope is not a strategy. You shouldn’t only plan how much money you want to generate, but also how you’re going to make that money. What are your core offers? Does the pricing make sense? How are you reaching ideal customers? You started your business to make an impact in the world, but now you’re too busy and burned out on the day-to-day operations to serve your community. That’s where we come in! Hosted by Scott Woods and Steff Thomas, the team behind Silverback Ventures, the Changemakers Collective podcast is here to help impact-driven business owners like you to accelerate their growth through servant leadership. Connect with Us:  Website Silverback Ventures LinkedIn Scott Woods LinkedIn Steff Thomas LinkedIn YouTube