Women in leadership, business strategy, and intentional planning in mission‑driven organizations

Amber Sheikh joins Jamie Seeker for a powerful conversation on what it truly takes to lead — not just a business, but a mission. As the founder and CEO of Chic Impact, Amber supports nonprofit organizations across California by strengthening their fundraising, leadership, and strategic planning. But her journey to ownership was anything but linear.In this episode, Amber shares how her early work in poverty alleviation abroad revealed a major gap in nonprofit operations, ultimately leading her into fundraising, consulting, and eventually ownership. She opens up about buying her firm during the pandemic while navigating divorce, single motherhood, and financial uncertainty — all while trusting an intuitive vision she had been building for years.Together, Jamie and Amber explore business planning as a leadership discipline, particularly in the nonprofit space: why scarcity thinking limits growth, how planning horizons should be realistic, and why founders must intentionally make time to step away in order to think clearly. The conversation closes with a deeply honest reflection on identity, leadership, and what it takes to sit in the owner’s seat.🧠 Key Notes & Takeaways🌱 Origin Story & PurposeAmber’s career began with international poverty alleviation work in Delhi, India.She realized many nonprofits were strong on mission but weak on operations, planning, and sustainability.This insight pulled her “one step away from the front line” into administration, fundraising, and eventually consulting.She spent 10+ years at a consulting firm before purchasing it and relaunching it as Chic Impact.Key insight: Mission alone doesn’t sustain organizations — strategy does.💼 Becoming a Business Owner (During Crisis)Amber bought the firm during the pandemic while finalizing a divorce and raising two young children.She had $400 in her pocket at the time of purchase.There was no backup plan — execution became a necessity, not a choice.Clients and staff followed her, reinforcing trust and shared vision.Lesson: Sometimes commitment — not certainty — is what drives success.🧭 Business Planning in the Nonprofit SectorCommon mistakes:Not planning at allPlanning too far ahead without knowing variablesAmber recommends 2–3 year strategic plans instead of rigid 5‑year plans.Nonprofits often operate in scarcity due to systemic pressures — language, funding models, and expectations.Organizations must allow themselves to think in terms of abundance and sustainability, not survival.Key belief: Nonprofits must “run in the black” to serve their mission long-term.📊 Growth, Strategy & ScalingChic Impact has grown ~20% annually in revenue, profit, and team size.Growth was initially reactive — responding to demand.Recently, Amber intentionally overstaffed to prepare for growth instead of chasing it.This allowed time for internal strategy, team-led problem solving, and long-term visioning.Shift: From reactive leadership → proactive planning.🧠 Planning Starts with SpaceAmber emphasizes the need to “break up with your own story.”The problems that once defined the bu