Meet Tara. She has a unique love for something that makes many of us groan: data. After many years of seeing the impact data can have on an organization, Tara decided to follow her passion, take her skills, and leap into full-time entrepreneurship. She now has the powerful opportunity to serve clients making a measurable impact in their community, and she’s helping them with the “measurable” part.
In the realm of mission-driven organizations, passion is the driving force. These organizations have compelling stories to share with their supporters and potential funders, but systematically tracking and documenting their programs can be a struggle given their strained capacity and limited knowledge in that realm. This is where Tara’s company, Terra Dati, steps in to help organizations track and understand their impact, strengths and opportunities.
For one of Tara’s non-profit clients, her evaluation planning process is running parallel to their program development. The very act of setting up the evaluation plan is informing the program design, ensuring that benchmarks are both realistic and tailored to the specific goals of the organization. Her dynamic approach is allowing the organization to fine-tune the program as the initiative progresses.
As a business owner who now has the freedom to select her projects, Tara has discovered a newfound creative spark in her work. Each client presents a unique canvas, and Tara revels in the challenge of tailoring her approach to suit the specific needs and nuances of the organization at hand.
Her greatest challenge? Learning the ins and outs of starting and growing a business for the first time. That’s how Tara became connected to Meg, Director of the Rowan-Cabarrus Small Business Center.
In their initial one-on-one sessions, Tara immediately felt comfortable with Meg’s coaching style. She found it to be a judgment-free space, creating a safe platform for growth. Meg met Tara where she was, recognizing the individual pace at which progress is made.
Another area where Tara needed support was marketing. Meg connected Tara to a marketing consultant, a counselor contracted through the SBC, who helped her form marketing strategies as she was preparing to launch her website and messaging for her new business.
“I have referred so many people to Meg or to their own local Small Business Center,” said Tara. “They will either answer your questions or refer you to the right source. They are truly invested in your success.”
To learn more about Terra Dati and how Tara leverages learning, inquiry, and evaluation to drive greater impact, efficiency and funding for mission-driven organizations, visit www.terradaticonsulting.com.
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