Jane sits down with Lesley Pinder, founder of Compass, her start up company that explores how charities can make generosity feel great by designing experiences that reflect human behaviour, not tidy funnels.

We unpack the moment Lesley chose to leave the 9-5, why specialisation is key, and how “you don’t need a map, you need a compass” became the north star for her consultancy.

We talk practicalities too, from shaping consultancy offers from live demand, to carving out routines to protect deep work.

Expect honest reflections on recovery after busy roles, the slow path from first chat to signed contract, and the money mindset required to hold your rate without flinching.

You’ll take away actionable ideas on donor retention, supporter journeys, and human-centred design. You’ll also hear how mentors and community can accelerate the leap, plus the unglamorous moves that matter early: choosing a clear niche, having a memorable brand, hiring a good accountant, and keeping a savings runway.

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If you're looking for support with supporter experience - Lesley's happy to chat even if you're not sure what that means yet.

You can connect with Lesley on LinkedIn, head to her website or drop her an email.

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Jane Curtis helps charity professionals transition from 9-5 employment to flexible and profitable freelance careers.

With over 20 years in the charity sector, she led teams that raised tens of millions of pounds from events before launching her own business in 2020.

She supported over 100 event fundraisers through her membership during the pandemic. Now, she offers her signature "Charity Freelancing Course," a high-touch 1:1 programme for consultants, coaches, and freelancers seeking to make more money working fewer hours doing what they love, and in-person events like The Rich & Restored Retreat. She also provides occasional strategic events consultancy to charities.

Known for her positive, creative approach and calm, no-nonsense style, Jane is a mum of two humans and one dog. She loves swimming, cycling, avocados and being by the sea.

Ready to transform your charity expertise into a profitable freelance career? Join Jane's Feel Good Freelancing community.

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