The Baker’s Dozen Report: 13 Months of QCI
Dear Friends,
“What do you do?” is a question that I have always struggled to answer. The reasons why evolved from being embarrassed to unfulfilled to uncertainty. Changing jobs, moving cities and working on niche issues made for a constant reshuffling of what is a simple answer. But then it started to get easier. Moving back to Cincinnati in 2020 and working at Bethany House gave me the clarity, impact, and success I was searching for the previous ten years. I was proud to be a fundraiser for families experiencing homelessness and happy to be in my hometown. I had my answer, albeit short lived.
When I started my business at the end of 2023, I knew that dreaded question would be back in my life. As many of you know, I have given a lot of answers to that question over the past year as both myself and Queen City Impact have evolved. I am incredibly grateful to have a confident answer to that question going into year two and beyond.
2024 was a rollercoaster of challenges, accomplishments, and lessons learned.
I failed at things I thought would be easy and found myself farther along in engagements than I expected. I became infected with the entrepreneurial spirit and relished the daily challenges of starting a new business. I found my purpose and laid the foundation for the mission of my business last year.
I am a professional advisor that manages the non-financial assets and human capital of legacy families.
None of this would be possible without the love, effort, and guidance from my wife, Liz, and mentorship and support from my family and friends.
To capture some of the highlights of this journey, I wanted to share an abbreviated annual review- the Baker’s Dozen Report. Thirteen months of QCI summarized into 3 memories, 2 lessons learned, and 1 lifetime experience.
Memories
Signing the contract with my first client, Found House, and helping design their next major project to support affordable housing.
Joining UpSpring’s Board of Trustees and sharing my first Board Member experience with close friends at their annual gala.
Becoming a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy with a cohort of professional advisors at the Greater Cincinnati Foundation.
Lessons Learned
Be great at what you do best.
Relationships last longer than contracts.
Lifetime Experience
While preparing a speech for my sister’s New Year’s Eve wedding, I was referred to and invited by the Association of Fundraising Professionals to speak about Values-Based Philanthropy at the United Way. It felt like the puzzle pieces were finally coming together, “what do you do” would not follow me forever.
2024 was a great year and 2025 will be even better. Thank you for being a part of this journey with me.
