Take The Leap
Take the Leap is the podcast where we get real about the rollercoaster that is entrepreneurship and life.
Sure, some folks make running a business look like a walk in the park, but let's be honest – it's more like a wild ride through a theme park with unexpected twists and turns!
Join us your co-hosts, Victoria & Ashlan, as we spill the beans on our own real-life experiences and shine a spotlight on some amazing guests. From the highs of success stories to the lows of epic failures, and hey, we'll even throw in some cringe-worthy, laugh-out-loud embarrassing moments for good measure!
So buckle up and tune in every week for a dose of raw, unfiltered truth about what it's really like to chase your dreams and build a business. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just dipping your toes into the startup world, we've got something for everyone. Even if it's just to make you think, "I'm so glad I didn't do what they did!"
Take The Leap
#107: From Burnout to Boundaries: Building a Consulting Practice for the Long Haul
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Returning guest Fatima Jawaid Marty, founder of FJM Consulting, joins Ashlan and Tory to talk about what’s shifted over the past year, both personally, professionally, and in the broader nonprofit/policy landscape. They get real about how the current political climate and funding uncertainty are affecting mission-driven work, then pivot into practical ways consultants can prevent burnout, set boundaries, and “vibe check” clients before signing contracts.
Listen if you’re doing nonprofit, policy, advocacy, or equity-adjacent work right now and you’re trying to stay sustainable without turning into a crispy little burnout crouton.
Some of our favorite takeaways from this episode include:
- The work isn’t separate from the political moment. Even when funding cuts or DEI backlash don’t hit you directly, the fear/uncertainty still seeps into daily operations and decision-making.
- Nonprofits are tightening budgets, so consulting sales cycles can slow down. Fatima notes it’s harder to get in front of decision makers and new work can take longer to close, even when need is high.
- Sustainability is a practice, not a one-time reset. Burnout prevention isn’t just “take a break.” It’s ongoing internal work to challenge grind-culture conditioning and perfectionism.
- A clear client capacity number is powerful. Fatima’s current sweet spot: 3 active engagements (typically 2 deep/long-term + 1 smaller side project/training).
- Boundaries are systems + mindset. Time-blocking by client, setting email response expectations, building buffer time, and protecting Fridays for business development help keep the work humane.
- Co-creation is messy because teams are different (and that’s normal). When a facilitation activity doesn’t land, Fatima treats it as data: there’s usually an unspoken barrier underneath that needs addressing.
- Not all money is good money. The group reinforces that taking misaligned work can cost more in energy, time, and missed opportunities than it’s worth.
Guest & Host Information:
- Guest, Fatima Jawaid Marty, Owner/Founder of FJM Consulting
- Co-Host, Ashlan Glazier-Anderson, Owner of AshbeanPDX Marketing
- Co-Host, Victoria (Tory) Proppe, Owner of Imagine Marketing Strategies
Connect with Fatima:
- Visit her website: https://fjmstrategy.com
- On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fatima-jawaid-marty
Connect with us:
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaketheLeap-Today
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taketheleap_today
The Course:
The Take the Leap course contains everything you need to know to successfully launch your business now. Sign up today to join the course and get support from Ashlan & Tory who will guide you through your journey as a new entrepreneur.
Sign up here: https://www.taketheleap-today.com/the-course
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