Originally featured on the NAWBO Columbus Business of Belonging Podcast

When Jennifer Sconyers filed her business paperwork on April 1st, 2016, it wasn't an April Fool's joke; it was the beginning of a transformative journey that would help countless organizations navigate systemic change and build high-performing teams. As the founder of Abundance Leadership Consulting, Sconyers has spent nearly a decade bridging critical gaps in leadership development across nonprofit and for-profit sectors.

The "Burn the Boats" Moment That Changed Everything

Sconyers' entrepreneurial journey embodies what she calls the "burn the boats" mentality, a commitment so complete that there's no plan B. "I had no choice but to figure it out," Sconyers explains in her recent interview on the NAWBO Columbus podcast. "There was no trust fund, no spousal support. It was me figuring this out from day one to make sure the bills got paid."

This all-in approach, while challenging, proved essential for developing what Sconyers calls "master enrollment skills," the ability to understand client pain points, listen actively, and offer services that genuinely solve problems. It took 18 months of consistent effort to nail this crucial business skill.

Key Takeaway for Entrepreneurs

The most successful service-based business owners often have to master the art of enrollment, which goes far beyond traditional sales tactics to focus on genuine problem-solving and value creation.

Recognizing When Organizations Need Systems Change

Through her work with Abundance Leadership Consulting, Sconyers has identified clear warning signs that indicate when an organization needs a systems overhaul:

1. Multi-level complaints: Internal teams, funding sources, and clients/customers are all expressing dissatisfaction
2. Stuck patterns: Organizations keep trying the same solutions without success
3. Leadership gaps: Inequitable access to leadership development opportunities
4. Communication breakdowns: The "right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing"

"Typically, we get the phone call when all three levels of the system are complaining," Sconyers notes. "Staff are complaining, whatever the financial resource is complaining, and the customer or client base is complaining."

The Power of Operational Values in Organizational Success

One of Sconyers' most impactful interventions involves helping organizations move beyond surface-level mission statements to develop truly operational values. This process involves:

• Storytelling frameworks that capture real experiences of living company values
• Clear definitions of what it means to live values versus not living them
• Decision-making frameworks grounded in values rather than personal biases
• Transparency standards that apply both internally and externally

"Once they get aligned to their values, it makes the decision-making and choices easier because they're grounded," Sconyers explains. "It's not just based on people's biases, which is the default under stress."

Breaking Down Barriers: Leadership Advice for Women

Sconyers' experience as often the "only woman in senior leadership or the only one of color in senior leadership" has shaped her approach to supporting other women entrepreneurs. Her key advice centers on one crucial concept: dare to be bold.

"If you have a service-based business and you're a solopreneur or small business, it's based on the skills that you bring to the table, which means you're the expert," Sconyers emphasizes. "Don't shy away from conversations about the cost of services. Be prepared to have that values-driven conversation with potential clients about the value you're offering."

The Importance of Community

Sconyers credits organizations like NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) with providing crucial support during her early entrepreneurial days. "I might have been one week old as a company when I went to my first NAWBO event," she recalls. The access to veteran women entrepreneurs provided essential market research and networking opportunities.

Staying Connected in an Increasingly Isolated World

The challenge of entrepreneurial isolation became particularly acute during the pandemic, leading Sconyers to develop strategies for maintaining meaningful connections:

• Intentional networking: Choosing events based on value rather than volume
• Virtual connections: Maintaining relationships with practitioners nationwide
• Collaborative workspaces: Selecting office environments that foster connection
• Community involvement: Active participation in values-aligned organizations

"Columbus is quite accessible," Sconyers notes. "People are willing to sit down with you over coffee or talk to you over lunch in ways that I've just not seen in other places."

The Future of Leadership Development

Looking ahead, Sconyers is expanding Abundance Leadership Consulting's impact through several initiatives:

• ALC Changemakers Network: Including a podcast, newsletter, blog, and membership community
• E-learning accessibility: Offering training modules starting at $40 per seat
• Enrollment training: Helping small businesses and nonprofits master client engagement
• Inclusion and belonging programs: Supporting effective allyship in changing times

Practical Resources for Business Leaders

Sconyers' approach to leadership development includes several accessible resources:

1. Managing Professional Relationships: A comprehensive e-learning course covering leadership styles, feedback mechanisms, and conflict resolution
2. Values alignment workshops: Helping teams operationalize their stated values
3. Strategic planning support: From first-time strategic plans to comprehensive organizational overhauls
4. Executive coaching: Supporting senior leadership through transitions and growth

Key Success Metrics for Organizational Change

Based on Sconyers' extensive experience, successful organizational transformation typically involves:

• Shared storytelling: Creating common narratives that unite team members
• Clear communication pathways: Ensuring information flows effectively throughout the organization
• Equitable leadership development: Providing access to growth opportunities across all team members
• Values-based decision making: Moving beyond bias-driven choices to principle-centered leadership

The Bottom Line: Agility in an Ever-Changing Landscape

"We're in an ever-changing landscape," Sconyers concludes. "If you're very clear about your true north and your impact, having the agility to change is super essential now. This is not an era of business as usual, so don't approach it as such."

Her advice for navigating uncertainty? Get clear on your values, align your actions accordingly, and maintain the flexibility to pivot when necessary, all while staying connected to a supportive community of like-minded leaders.

About Jennifer Sconyers: Jennifer Sconyers is the founder of Abundance Leadership Consulting, specializing in organizational development, systems change, and building high-performing teams across nonprofit and for-profit sectors. She is a longtime NAWBO member and advocate for women business owners.

Learn More:

• Visit Abundance Leadership Consulting
• Subscribe to the ALC Changemakers Newsletter
• Listen to the full interview on the NAWBO Columbus Podcast
• Connect with NAWBO Columbus for entrepreneurial support

This article is based on an interview from the NAWBO Business of Belonging Podcast. For more inspiring stories about women entrepreneurs building successful businesses, subscribe to the podcast and join the NAWBO community.