What happens when a scientist trades lab notes for plain English stories that move donors to act? Richard Berks traces his path from research to charity communications to a sustainable freelance career, and the surprising tweet that sparked a community trusted by thousands for connection and clarity.

Richard shares the lesson many of us learn too late: offering everything is not a strategy. He breaks down how he narrowed his services to what medical research charities actually buy, offering donor-friendly content that shows how funding changes lives. We talk through shaping a niche without boxing yourself in, validating offers by listening to what clients repeatedly ask for, and setting boundaries that protect family time instead of burning it at conferences and events.

There’s practical marketing throughout: simple LinkedIn visibility, a “I’m now freelance” post, nudging ex-colleagues, joining sector directories, and sending respectful cold emails when you have a defined audience. We also explore the human side of freelancing- loneliness, winter slumps, and the mental load of working from home- and how small habits like a 20-minute walk, focus-friendly background audio, and a personal “energy playlist” can turn a slow afternoon into a productive one.

You’ll also hear how Charity Freelancer Chat began with a casual coffee invite, and became a monthly anchor for freelancers across the sector.

You can connect with Richard and follow Charity Freelancer Chat on LinkedIn.

If this episode resonates with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague who’s thinking about their own freelance leap.

Send us a text

Jane Curtis helps charity professionals transition from employment to successful freelance careers. With over 18 years in the charity sector, she led teams that raised tens of millions of pounds for major charities including Prostate Cancer UK, Anthony Nolan, and WaterAid before launching her own business in 2020.

She supported over 100 event fundraisers through her membership programme during the pandemic and now offers her signature "Charity Freelancing Course | From Fundraiser to Freelancer™" programme alongside strategic events consultancy and wellbeing training and events.

Known for her positive, creative approach and calm, no-nonsense style, Jane is a mum of two who loves swimming and being by the sea whenever she can.

Ready to transform your charity career? Join Jane's Feel Good Freelancing community.

Connect here:

Instagram

LinkedIn

Facebook

The Other Side: The Charity Freelancer's Podcast explores the journey from charity professional to thriving freelancer. Join us for practical tips, real stories, and community connection for anyone considering or already on their freelance journey in the sector.

What if you could build a six-figure consulting business while still having time for the life you want? Cindy Wagman takes us on her fascinating journey from charity professional to thriving business coach who's helped over 100 nonprofit consultants create profitable, values-driven practices.

Cindy shares how she became an "accidental consultant" during maternity leave when her mentor suggested negotiating a contract instead of accepting a traditional job offer. With remarkable candour, she reveals the moment she shifted from feeling like she needed to "beg" for opportunities to confidently stating her terms—and how this fundamental mindset change transformed her career.

The conversation explores Cindy's evolution from running a six-person consultancy to developing her Fractional Fundraiser Academy (soon to be rebranded as the Non-Profit Fractional Operating System). Rather than continuing to grow her team when demand increased, she chose a different path: teaching experienced professionals how to deliver the same services independently. This pivot allowed her to scale her impact without sacrificing the quality of life she'd built.

Cindy's practical approach to work-life balance truly stands out. She details her strategy of alternating "CEO weeks" dedicated to deep work with client-facing weeks for meetings and connections. For those struggling with the "always available" mentality common in the charity sector, her framework offers an alternative that prioritises both productivity and personal wellbeing.

Cindy's advice on warming up your network, understanding your numbers, and letting go of the "workaholic" identity provides a roadmap for building a sustainable business aligned with your values. As she wisely notes, "focus on what you want, what you need right now out of consulting, and try to quiet the rest of the noise out there."

Cindy's always happy to chat with people exploring fractional consulting
Connect with her on LinkedIn and check out her private podcast Fracture.

-

Send us a text

Jane Curtis helps charity professionals transition from employment to successful freelance careers. With over 18 years in the charity sector, she led teams that raised tens of millions of pounds for major charities including Prostate Cancer UK, Anthony Nolan, and WaterAid before launching her own business in 2020.

She supported over 100 event fundraisers through her membership programme during the pandemic and now offers her signature "Charity Freelancing Course | From Fundraiser to Freelancer™" programme alongside strategic events consultancy and wellbeing training and events.

Known for her positive, creative approach and calm, no-nonsense style, Jane is a mum of two who loves swimming and being by the sea whenever she can.

Ready to transform your charity career? Join Jane's Feel Good Freelancing community.

Connect here:

Instagram

LinkedIn

Facebook

The Other Side: The Charity Freelancer's Podcast explores the journey from charity professional to thriving freelancer. Join us for practical tips, real stories, and community connection for anyone considering or already on their freelance journey in the sector.