How Failure Changed How I Think About Nonprofit Work

In the autumn of 2019, I arrived full of energy and excitement for a board meeting of the nonprofit Beautify Earth. Founded in 2012, the Santa Monica-based nonprofit empowers civic engagement by facilitating street art in public places. I felt we were on the verge of explosive growth: An early campaign to “beautify” utility boxes in Los Angeles by turning them into small murals had received national attention, garnered community plaudits, and motivated the board and staff. We were a rocket-ship ready for take-off—I could just sense it.

I felt confident because I had been in the same position before. I am the CEO of a 100-person data-driven executive search firm. After bootstrapping for a few years after our founding in 2010—a period during which we honed our value proposition and business model—my organization began doubling in size every two years…

Read the full article in Stanford Social Innovation Review.