Work Harder. You’ve Earned It.
Huh, Nev?
Work harder… because we’ve earned it?
I know. It sounds backwards. But hear me out.
If you’re a solopreneur or nonprofit founder and you’re exhausted, busy, booked, fundraising, posting, serving… and yet something feels off - this is for you.
About ten years ago, when I launched 16 Hoops, it worked fast. Clients came. Referrals came. We seemed to have a “busy” machine.
It came very easy. Too easy, in hindsight.
That’s when I stopped innovating.
Not because I was lazy.
Because I was busy.
Busy delivering. Busy managing. Busy surviving.
But busy is not building.
Busy is not innovating. It’s just busy.
The key I was missing ten years ago — inside all that busyness — was innovation.
Maybe this sounds familiar to you:
Revenue is chugging along fine — but flat.
Donors or clients are there — but not always the ideal ones.
Messaging is okay — but maybe generic.
You’re barely keeping up, wearing so many hats, and don’t have the energy to try anything new.
Nothing is broken.
Nothing is evolving either.
But hey — you were here first. Isn’t that enough?
Fast forward a few years and now there are way more competitors — each going after what looks like the same client, the same donor, the same attention.
And from the outside?
You start to look interchangeable.
Here are three signs you’re not innovating enough:
Everyone in your space sounds similar — different fonts, same promises.
Clients or donors can easily substitute you — and not lose any sleep.
You can’t confidently raise your prices or your ask.
That third one is the tell.
Innovation isn’t posting more.
It’s getting radically clear.
Clear about who you serve.
Clear about the transformation you provide.
Clear about what makes you distinct.
Clear enough that your branding actually reflects that clarity — instead of decorating confusion.
At 16 Hoops, that’s the real work. When we stopped trying to be busy working for everyone, we got clear about who we wanted to help — and how. We innovated our processes.
So ask yourself…
Does your messaging express your depth — or hide it?
Does your brand visually communicate your value — or look like everyone else’s Canva template?
Does your website lead people somewhere — or just exist?
Are you resonating with your ideal audience?
That’s innovation.
Not louder, but sharper.
You didn’t start this business or nonprofit to blend in and be busy.
If you know your organization is being held back — and that you could push further, innovate into new territory, and grow if you just had the right tools and team — that’s your signal.
Work harder = Less busyness. More innovation.
You’ve earned it. You, your clients, and your donors deserve the best.
Tell us where you are. Are you innovating and thriving? Or are you like most of us — just needing the right team behind you to help push into new territory?
16 Hoops is here for you.