My first client when I launched my business came from a connection I had in the corporate world.
Years ago, a non-profit, Front Steps Housing and Services, built a residential facility across the street from the company I worked with. When they were planning their ground breaking ceremony, Matt, their director of development, reached out to see if they could use our property for parking during their event. Of course, we said yes. And a wonderful relationship began.
Matt would reach out from time to time to ask us to donate water, or cookies, or other goodies to their guests, residents and team members - and again, we said yes as often as we could. When Front Steps held their annual gala fundraiser, The Home For All Ball, they invited us to attend and we always shared our table with employees from the factory across the street from their facility. Our team enjoyed the fancy night out, Front Steps always put on a great event and we all enjoyed working together.
Fast forward a few years and I launch my business. I make an announcement and share a launch email with pretty much everyone I know. One of the first people to reach out and congratulate me is Matt from Front Steps. He then proceeds to hire me to help with the Home for All Ball and becomes my very first client. Just goes to show, when you are giving back, the goodness often comes back around to you!
I will be forever grateful for that first client connection. It was fun to work with Matt and his team. I am so glad he called on me to help and really kicked off my consulting career. I have led, hosted, run, and organized hundreds of events in my career, but this was the first time I was doing it for my own business and I am so proud it was with Matt and the Front Steps team.
I encourage to you to check out their website and see all the amazing things Front Steps Housing and Services does for the people of Cleveland. There are dozens of ways to get involved if you feel called. From donating money, to volunteering, to attending this year's Home For All Ball on December 6, 2025.
The event in 2024 was a great success and I am staying involved with their fundraising - even beyond their gala! This weekend I'm hosting a pop up popcorn shop to help raise money for Front Steps. If you love popcorn - this is good one for you. It's delicious, not terribly unhealthy, and 50% of the proceeds go to Front Steps!
Front Steps does amazing work to eradicate homelessness in Cleveland, and beyond.
Their purpose is to provide individuals and families with holistic help and services to promote recovery, increase their overall health, psychological well-being, and quality of life. The team has helped so many find stability, improve their mental health and achieve overall well-being. Front Steps interacts with the community and offers so much hope to our neighbors in need.
I am proud to contribute - just a little bit - to their cause and I am grateful that our paths crossed way back.
