conscious

consults

strategic guidance for purpose-driven organizations

I help nonprofit leaders and small business owners build sustainable, thriving organizations. As an experienced entrepreneur who has founded and operated both businesses and nonprofits, I deliver practical solutions with genuine care.

Our work together will solve immediate challenges while strengthening core business functions like operations, marketing, finance, and team management. I’ll help you develop your leadership skills, maintain your strategic focus amid daily pressures, and ensure your business decisions reflect your values.

Whether you're launching a startup, scaling an established organization, or planning your exit strategy, my personalized guidance supports every phase of your entrepreneurial journey. With 20+ years of organizational leadership experience, I integrate strategic consulting with leadership coaching—empowering you to create the purpose-driven business you envision.

services

Nonprofit Services: I partner with nonprofit organizations navigating periods of challenge or change, providing guidance and practical solutions that advance your mission sustainably. My services span strategic planning, fundraising strategy, earned income generation, program development, and capital campaign management. I help you clarify strategic direction, strengthen operations, expand impact, and increase your capacity to deliver on your mission.

Small Business Services: I provide established and emerging business owners with an integrated blend of consulting and leadership coaching customized for your needs. This approach addresses both organizational challenges and leadership development, improving your company's performance while supporting your growth as a leader. Together, we'll tackle your pressing challenges—financial, operational, strategic, or motivational—through actionable steps that keep you aligned with your values and goals.

Brokerage Services: I guide small and mid-sized business owners through the complex process of selling their company, from valuation to closing. Services include positioning the business for sale, identifying qualified buyers, negotiation support, and transaction management. As your dedicated advocate, I transform a complex process into a strategic, rewarding transition.

about Kate

Smiling woman in blue shirt standing in front of light green wall outdoors.

I'm Kate Zuckerman, founder and principal of Conscious Consults. My 25+ year career spans founding, scaling, and successfully exiting businesses, along with establishing and leading impactful nonprofit initiatives. This diverse experience gives me deep insight into the challenges facing purpose-driven organizations across both sectors.

I partner with business owners and nonprofit leaders to navigate critical transitions, optimize operations, and build sustainable models for long-term success. My approach integrates strategic business consulting with leadership development, helping clients create resilient organizations while growing as leaders. I also provide comprehensive business transition services for entrepreneurs planning their next chapter.

My collaborative approach means you get exactly the expertise your project requires. While I serve as your primary consultant and relationship manager, I strategically bring in specialists from my professional network when your needs call for it—giving you the focused attention of a boutique practice with the breadth of a larger firm.

My involvement in the regional business ecosystem includes serving on the CIC Loan Committee and advising for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), staying connected to emerging business trends and needs. I'm most energized when working with organizations that create positive impact, whether by bringing purpose to their owner(s) or addressing larger social problems.

I'm a parent of two children, an avid traveler, and a dedicated yoga and meditation practitioner. I hold a BA in Latin American Studies from Pitzer College, a Graduate Certificate in Social Justice from Harvard University's Extension School, and am fluent in Spanish.

professional experience

  • After selling Blue Ridge Bucha, I founded Conscious Consults to share my entrepreneurial experience with business owners and nonprofit leaders. I provide strategic consulting and coaching to organizations at every stage—from concept to exit—helping them navigate both everyday challenges and pivotal transitions. My practice serves clients from solopreneurs to established organizations with 40+ employees across diverse industries. Drawing on my management experience, I also coordinate teams of independent contractors for larger projects when needed. My role as an SBDC Business Advisor further enriches my consulting practice by connecting me with a wide range of business models and approaches. I find fulfillment in supporting leaders as they build organizations that align with their values and create meaningful impact.

  • My husband Ethan and I literally started our kombucha business out of our (health department-inspected) garage. Over the course of 11 years, we grew the company to a team of 20+ people, a regional distribution footprint across 9 states, 300+ accounts, and $1M in annual sales. We evaluated our success not only through our profits, but through our company’s environmental impact: with a tagline of “big flavor, small footprint,” we saved over 1 million bottles through our refillable bottle program. In 2020, we were honored with Whole Foods Market’s Regional Supplier of the Year Award for the Mid-Atlantic Region.

  • I developed and operationalized a 501c3 nonprofit organization with a mission to make healing arts practices such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and massage accessible to all. With the guidance of experienced mentors, the support of community partners, and by leading a talented staff and volunteer team of 90+ people, l spearheaded a community organization that has improved the health and wellness of over 10K individuals in the past 10 years.

  • I was tasked with the creation of a new department; collaborating with multiple stakeholders to develop our operational plan; and hiring, training, and managing a team of 19 people. At the time, the Getty Museum was one of the wealthiest art institutions in the world, with a stellar company culture. While this may have given me an unusual initiation into the nonprofit space, I had the opportunity to undergo multiple training sessions in leadership and management, and benefited greatly from a mentor boss, who both provided thoughtful guidance and created space for me to stretch my skills, take calculated risks, and grow as a leader.

  • My professional journey has been driven by a love of entrepreneurship that took root early in my career. My first significant entrepreneurial experience began during my undergraduate years at Pitzer College, where I served as a Visit Coordinator in the Office of Admissions. What started as a standard student job quickly became an opportunity for innovation and growth. Recognizing the potential to enhance the prospective student experience, I rebuilt the college's visit program from the ground up. By expanding and reimagining visit experiences, I demonstrated an early ability to think strategically and create value beyond traditional job expectations.

    In my 20s, I transitioned through diverse industries, each role building upon my core skills of communication, strategic planning, and organizational development. Along the way, I co-founded the Charlottesville Yoga School, training over 80 yoga teachers and further exploring my passion for education and guided learning. My work as a Spanish language translator for an Academy Award-winning actor, a lecturer at the University of Virginia, and an event coordinator at Starr Hill Restaurant & Brewery showcased my adaptability and commitment to excellence across different professional contexts.

    Throughout my career, I've been driven by a core belief in the power of mission-driven work, organizational culture, and sustainable growth. From managing a high-performing team at Blue Ridge Bucha to founding Common Ground Healing Arts, I've consistently sought opportunities to create positive change and support innovative organizational models. My background in meditation and yoga gives me a special interest in work-life integration for both myself and my consulting clients. This diverse professional background has been the foundation of my current consulting practice, allowing me to bring rich, multifaceted insights to the businesses and nonprofits I serve.

reviews + testimonials

What are clients saying about Conscious Consults? Click below to read our Google Reviews, or to leave one of your own.

GOOGLE REVIEWS

To find out more about Conscious Consults’s services, use the link below to schedule a confidential Discovery Call at no charge.

contact