Developing Others Through Coaching Training: Coaching Conversation: Jenna

Dreaming of a Fundraising-Consulting Venture

Key Moments & Quotations

• Kayla: “What would be at this point the most beneficial thing for you to walk away with from this conversation?”
• Self: “Some next steps … maybe a little bit of encouragement and reality—Is it feasible?”
• On the five-year picture: “I’d like to have myself and a couple of account managers … serving a dozen organizations without getting too busy.”
• Biggest current hurdle: “Where do you begin—and how do you get clients?”
• Timetable clarity: “See the big event through in August next year, then be ready to resign and move forward.”
• Naming three concrete actions:
  1. “A serious conversation with my husband-to-be.”
  2. “An email to a contact who could mentor me.”
  3. “Talk with my women’s-group mentor to gauge my spiritual and emotional readiness.”
• Closing gratitude: “It helped me see the plan is feasible and gave me realistic, simple steps to investigate the idea.”

Heartfelt Reflections

• I felt a mix of excitement and fear—wanting flexibility for future family life yet wary of the risk of leaving a job I enjoy.
• As Kayla probed, I realized I actually have a budding support system; I just need to name and engage it.
• The conversation turned my vague dream into something I could picture: a small team, a clear timeline, and reachable milestones.
• I’m convicted that wise counsel and community input are non-negotiable before leaping.
• Lingering question: What is a fair pricing model for my services?

Theological & Pastoral Insights

• God often leads through community; inviting my fiancé, mentors, and seasoned fundraisers into the process honors that pattern.
• Stewardship: using my fundraising gifts to serve churches and nonprofits can be a faithful way to multiply what God has entrusted to me.
• Discernment takes both prayerful waiting and courageous action—avoiding paralysis on one side and rashness on the other.

Practical Next Steps

• Schedule and have a thorough talk with my fiancé about timeline, finances, and mutual peace (this week).
• Draft and send an email to a respected former pastor now consulting, requesting mentorship (within 3 days).
• Meet with my women’s-group mentor to evaluate spiritual/emotional capacity for this venture (by next week).
• Begin a simple business plan: mission, target clients, services, pricing range, and budget projections.
• Compile a contact list of potential advisors and first-round clients.

Follow-Up Plans

• Kayla will check in with me next week to hear how the three action items progressed and help keep momentum.