"Working for myself is a form of rest because I get to choose my clients and I don't have what I experienced in the workplace when I was working in the nonprofit sector, which is racial battle fatigue" - Dr. Asia Lyons

This week's episode of Confessions featured the amazing Dr. Asia Lyons, who shared her journey to building a thriving consulting business serving youth organizations. Dr. Asia's story is a reminder that we should never stop pushing boundaries or embracing new possibilities in our work. The only limits are the ones we place on ourselves!

Key HIghlights:

• Niche down. Dr. Asia knew from the start that she wanted to support youth-serving orgs, and she built her entire business around serving that niche. Her advice? Get extremely clear on who you help and how. Niching down allows you to become an expert in your field and better serve your clients.
• Cold Outreach Strategy. Dr. Asia didn't wait around for new clients to come to her—she went out and found them. Even though cold outreach can be scary, Dr. Asia has developed a system that works for her. Her advice? Start small, learn as you go, and try new strategies. You'll get better and more comfortable over time.
• Entrepreneurship as Empowerment. Dr. Asia intentionally set up their own business to have control over their clients and avoid experiencing racial battle fatigue and racism-related stress that they previously encountered in the workplace. This choice to work for themselves gives them freedom to choose their projects and avoid oppressive environments.
• Breaking the burnout cycle. Dr. Asia recognizes that as business owners we need to make rest a priority. She makes sure to step away from work and recharge through self-care, community, and family. Being part of a mastermind and women's retreat allows her to connect with like-minded people who truly understand this work.

The path of a nonprofit consultant isn't always easy, but Dr. Asia proves that with hard work, clarity, and self-care, you can build a thriving business that serves organizations doing important work. Her story is a reminder that we should never stop pushing boundaries in our work. The only limits are the ones we place on ourselves!

Find Us Online:  https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com

Connect with Dr. Asia Lyons:

Lyons Educational Consulting: https://www.lyonseducationalconsulting.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asia-lyons 

The Exit Interview: https://www.exitinterviewpodcast.com 

Connect with Cindy:

Cindy Wagman Coaching https://cindywagman.com

The Good Partnership https://www.thegoodpartnership.com

Connect with Jess: 

Out In the Boons: https://www.outintheboons.me

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