Ten Years, Countless Relationships, a Lot of Gratitude

Celebrating 10 Years of Sharaway Strategic Development Consulting

Ten years ago, I made a decision that would change the course of my professional life. I started my own business, Sharaway Strategic Development Consulting (SSDC).

As I reflect on this milestone and prepare to launch my new website, I find myself thinking less about the business I've built and more about the people, relationships, and experiences that have shaped these past ten years.

Of course, I'm proud of the fundraising milestones, the campaigns we've launched, the grants we've secured, and the organizations we've helped grow. But what I am most grateful for is the opportunity to get to know my clients, their constituents, and the communities they serve while working alongside them to advance their missions.

Every success for a client feels like a personal success. And after ten years, I can say with certainty that the relationships I've built are just as meaningful to me as the results we've achieved.

If Not Now, When?

I remember the day I decided to start my own business.

My mother was very sick, and I was navigating all the emotions that come with watching someone you love approach the end of their life. She passed away just one week later.

During that time, I found myself thinking a lot about life, death, and how quickly everything can change. It was a powerful reminder that our time is precious and that we shouldn't always wait for the "right" moment to pursue something meaningful.

I kept coming back to one question: If not now, when?

I had spent years working in nonprofit fundraising and development, and I loved the work. I loved building relationships, connecting people to causes they cared about, and helping organizations find the resources they needed to do more good in the world.

But I was ready to do it differently.

I wanted to build a business that would allow me to work closely with a variety of nonprofit organizations, become part of their teams, and bring strategic fundraising expertise to organizations that might not have the resources for a full-time development professional.

I also wanted the flexibility and independence that come with owning a business, even knowing that entrepreneurship would bring its own uncertainties and challenges.

So, I took the leap.

What began as one person with an idea, a passion for fundraising, and a willingness to figure things out along the way has grown into something I am incredibly proud of.

Ten Years With My First Client

One of the things that means the most to me is that I still work with my very first client.

Ten years!

We've experienced successes, challenges, changes in leadership, shifting priorities, and all the ups and downs that come with running a nonprofit organization. We've navigated those changes together, learned from one another, and grown in ways I couldn't have imagined when we first started working together.

Over the years, for all of my clients, we’ve increased fundraising revenue by approximately 385%.  We did this by expanding fundraising efforts and developing strategies that continue to strengthen the organization.

But what makes this relationship especially meaningful is the trust we've built.

I've had the privilege of getting to know the organization's leadership, Board members, donors, volunteers, and the people whose lives are touched by its mission. I've celebrated their milestones and shared in their challenges.

When you've worked alongside an organization for ten years, you become invested in far more than its fundraising goals. You become invested in its people and its future.

And that's exactly the kind of relationship I hoped to build when I started SSDC.

Growing Alongside My Clients

While my business has evolved, so have I.

During these ten years, I earned my Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation, an accomplishment that reflects my commitment to ethical fundraising practices, professional excellence, and continued learning.

I believe strongly that even after more than two decades in this field, there is always something new to learn.

Fundraising continues to evolve. Donor expectations change, technology advances, and nonprofit organizations face new challenges and opportunities every day.

Continuing my professional development allows me to bring fresh ideas, new perspectives, and thoughtful strategies to my clients.

But I've also learned an enormous amount from my clients.

Every organization operates differently. Each has its own culture, leadership style, organizational structure, mission, and, of course, personalities!

I genuinely enjoy navigating that new terrain.

When I join an organization as a fractional Director of Development, my first priority is to listen and learn. I want to understand what makes the organization special, what is working, where the challenges lie, and what opportunities might be waiting to be explored.

From there, we build.

Sometimes that means creating a fundraising program from the ground up. Other times, it means strengthening existing efforts, introducing new revenue streams, engaging Board members, or developing relationships with donors and funders.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to fundraising, and that's one of the things I love most about my work.

Building a Business, Building Relationships

When I started SSDC, it was just me.

Today, my business has grown to include two additional part-time team members who bring their own expertise, dedication, and perspectives to our work.

It's been exciting to grow from a solo entrepreneur into a small team, and I'm grateful for the talented people who have become part of this journey.

I'm also proud that we've been able to maintain the personal, hands-on approach that has always been central to SSDC.

I never wanted to build a business where clients felt like just another account.

I wanted to build a business rooted in relationships, trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to results.

I want my clients to feel that I am part of their team, invested in their success, and genuinely excited about the work we are doing together.

Because I am.

Over the years, I've learned that entrepreneurship requires resilience, adaptability, patience, and a willingness to take risks. Not every idea works. Not every project goes according to plan. And sometimes the greatest lessons come from the most difficult experiences.

But those challenges have helped me grow as a business owner, a fundraising professional, and a person.

And I wouldn't trade the journey.

Looking Ahead to the Next Ten Years

As I celebrate this anniversary and launch a new website, I am reminded of just how far this business has come.

What began during a deeply personal and emotional time in my life has become a source of tremendous professional fulfillment, meaningful relationships, and personal growth.

I'm grateful to every client who has trusted me with their mission, every Board member and volunteer who has collaborated with me, every donor who has responded to an appeal, and every colleague who has shared an idea, offered encouragement, or helped me see something from a new perspective.

I'm especially grateful to those clients who have been with me for years, through both the exciting milestones and the inevitable challenges.

You've allowed me to become part of your organizations, and in many ways, you've become part of my story, too.

Ten years later, I still feel the same excitement when I meet a new client, learn about a mission, and begin imagining what's possible.

There are always new challenges to solve, relationships to build, and opportunities to pursue.

And that's what keeps this work so interesting.

Here's to ten years of learning, growing, giving, and making a difference together.

I can't wait to see what the next ten years bring.

With gratitude,

Carolyn