Five years ago I went all-in on Snyder Strategies.
I started this firm to help nonprofits pass good policy and stop bad ones.
But even more than that.
I have been incredibly fortunate - I love my work, my clients, and their missions.
But I didn’t know if I could build a business out of my passion. 5 years, 3 states, and 25 clients later, I still wonder.
This week, I am sitting in a room with a group of small business owners - who are equally passionate about their vocations - to learn how to strengthen and grow our businesses.
I was accepted into the 10th cohort of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and the 12-week program started this week.
This cohort is filled with folks from across Iowa running small businesses from physical therapy clinics to tire shops to restaurants to cleaning companies. As I attempt to explain my business, I think that folks will not be able to relate, that Snyder Strategies is too esoteric.
But when he started his business, William ran into a huge roadblock. Mobile barbershops were against the law in Iowa.
But he didn’t let that stop him. This barber started a campaign – created a petition, did videos, launched social media - to change this law. And he did it!
I was so excited and inspired by William’s story. He wasn’t scared by the process or the lawmakers or his lack of advocacy experience. He just knew he needed to attack this barrier head-on. And he prevailed.
But after you hear William’s story, you learn that he has prevailed against many odds.
I am not sure what else I will learn over the next few months, but hearing William’s story is a great beginning.
As a nonprofit advocacy expert, I empower organizations to leverage their voices, mobilize their communities, and win on the policies that shape their mission.
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