Building a Network of Compassionate Professionals

As a mother and a small business owner, time management is something I constantly struggle with. Between juggling my responsibilities as a parent, and finding ways to grow my business, it is easy to become overwhelmed. To get back on track and take control, I decided I needed a plan. I started by assessing my time, which led to prioritizing my responsibilities, which of course, led to (groan) getting organized. Let's face it, if you could see my desk right now, you would understand this is an ongoing process.

During this period of reflection, and reevaluation of my processes, I noticed that there was a huge hole in my business, and that was giving back to my community. How can I be a business leader without taking time to give back to the community I serve, who serves me in return? As the owner of Anchor Healthcare Staffing agency, I come across hundreds of deserving charities. So many in fact, that it became overwhelming trying to choose who to support. As a result, I found myself making excuses instead of acting, falling back into old habits and patterns.

When Kelly Cudworth approached me about the new, non-profit he was starting, I knew this was my answer. He explained his vision for NuHope Street and how he planned to bring other local business owners together to leverage our networks, and raise awareness and funds, for established charitable organizations. The focus would be choosing beneficiaries who provide support and resources for children. For someone in a small business, I often felt so small, that my impact would not be big enough. Now, I would have the opportunity to be a part of a network of compassionate professionals, ready to focus our philanthropic energy on resources for children. As a parent, this was exactly the type of organization I wanted to be a part of.

Since becoming a board member, my work productivity has increased, and my network has grown to include some amazing people, who have since become friends. Being a part of NuHope Street has given me the opportunity to lead by example and teach my kids to be thoughtful and sympathetic leaders. I look forward to continued growth within the organization, and can’t wait to see the impact we can make when we work together.

-- Kim Cook, Board Member