conscious

consults

strategic guidance for purpose-driven organizations

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

Our work together will solve immediate challenges through targeted solutions while strengthening core business functions in operations, marketing, finance and team management. My coaching develops your leadership skills and confidence, maintains your strategic focus amid daily pressures, and ensures your business decisions reflect your core values.

Whether you're launching a startup, scaling an established organization, or planning your business exit strategy, my personalized guidance supports every phase of your entrepreneurial journey. With 20+ years of business ownership experience, I integrate strategic consulting with leadership coaching—because organizational growth depends on leader development. Our partnership empowers you to excel both professionally and personally, creating the purpose-driven business you envision.

services

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

Nonprofit Services: I partner with nonprofit organizations navigating periods of challenge or change, providing steady guidance, fresh perspectives, and practical solutions that advance your mission sustainably. My comprehensive services span strategic planning, program development, earned income generation, and capital campaign management. Whether you're seeking to clarify strategic direction, strengthen operations, or expand your impact, I offer specialized support that increases your capacity to deliver on your mission while maintaining financial resilience.

Brokerage Services: Our specialized brokerage team guides small and mid-sized business owners through the complex process of selling their companies. We provide comprehensive support from accurate valuation through successful closing, including identifying qualified buyers and expert negotiation guidance. With meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of business transitions, we serve as your dedicated advocates—transforming what could be an overwhelming process into a strategic, rewarding culmination of your entrepreneurial journey.

about Kate

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 provides me with unique insight into 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 confident leaders. I also provide comprehensive business transition services for entrepreneurs planning their next chapter.

While I serve as the primary consultant for most engagements, I embrace a collaborative approach when specialized expertise would benefit my clients. I maintain relationships with a diverse network of professionals whose complementary skills enhance project outcomes while preserving the personalized service that defines my work.

My involvement in the regional business ecosystem includes serving on the CIC Loan Committee and advising for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), contributing to a thriving local economy while 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 bring a holistic perspective to my work, drawing from both professional expertise and personal values. Beyond my consulting practice, I'm a parent of two young 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 deep fulfillment in supporting leaders as they build organizations that align with their values while creating 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 deep-seated passion for entrepreneurship and organizational development 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 virtually rebuilt the college's visit program from the ground up. By expanding and reimagining day and overnight visit experiences, I demonstrated an early ability to think strategically and create value beyond traditional job expectations.

    From coordinating prospective student visits, 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.

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

contact