Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Debbie Hansen-Bosse. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Debbie, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

At The Flora May Foundation, we understand that teenagers battling substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and various challenges impact not only the children but their parents as well. What sets us apart is that our support is tailored specifically for parents – the ones staying up late, grappling with uncertainty, and seeking understanding. Our exceptional staff, entirely composed of mothers who have navigated their own parenting struggles, provides hands-on assistance that distinguishes us as a unique non-profit.

Unlike other organizations, we focus directly on helping parents in crisis, offering a level of involvement that sets us apart. While The BILY Group provides valuable support, our approach is more hands-on and immediate.

Beyond aiding families facing crises, we proudly introduce the Working Women Winning program, an 8-week workforce development initiative exclusively for women. This program, aimed at enhancing technical skills and employability, is unique in its focus. We provide loaner laptops, emphasize interview preparation, skill improvement, and job placement assistance at no cost. This opportunity is particularly beneficial for first-time career seekers or those returning after an extended absence.

Our mission is crucial, given the escalating challenges children face with mental health issues. Parents often hesitate to share their child’s struggles, but we acknowledge the mental toll it takes. The prevalence of Fentanyl in street drugs adds urgency to our cause. We have created a safe haven where parents can find understanding and support from a team of mothers who have been in their shoes. Our all-female staff, exclusively mothers, understands the challenges of middle school, high school, and young adulthood. We collectively share the wish that a “Flora May Foundation” had been available during our parenting journeys. While parenting lacks a handbook, at The Flora May Foundation, it comes with unparalleled support and resources, making us the only non-profit uniquely dedicated to assisting parents in crisis.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My journey into the world of non-profits was inspired by the remarkable legacy of my Mother and Nana, both dedicated hospital volunteers and fervent advocates for doing good. The high bar they set with thousands of volunteer hours became the standard I aspired to exceed. My non-profit endeavors commenced at age 12, volunteering at Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center. Subsequently, I contributed to The Special Olympics and BrightFutures4Kids. Despite a hiatus, where I embraced various roles in business, these experiences were instrumental in honing my skills in administration, accounting, marketing, negotiation, sales, and management.

The culmination of these skills finds purpose in The Flora May Foundation, where I’ve personally undertaken every role, providing a profound understanding and appreciation for diverse job functions. Recognizing the value of lived experiences, our team, consisting entirely of genuine mothers, fosters an environment free from judgment. We listen, guide, and support parents navigating the challenges of raising struggling kids. Our commitment to this cause is reinforced by the fact that it’s a free service, supplemented by exceptional resources for those we may not directly assist.

Pride swells within me as we’ve impacted over 400 lives in Orange and San Diego Counties. Establishing a presence as a new non-profit in a competitive landscape is no small feat, and this achievement stands as a testament to our dedication. While navigating the ever-changing social media landscape poses challenges, advertising in strategic areas remains pivotal. The allure of paid advertising is tempered by its expense, and as we strive to reach those in need, we rely on the generosity of donations.

Every dollar received contributes to our operating costs and direct assistance, essential elements for the functioning of any business, whether for-profit or not. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to those who make our mission possible, recognizing that their support is instrumental in our efforts to alleviate the burdens of parents with struggling kids. Visit us at www.thefloramayfoundation.org to learn more about our work.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

How do you grow your clientele?

In 2023, I committed to conducting all my appointments in person, moving away from Zoom meetings. While I achieved a 75% success rate, valid reasons dictated 25% of my calls remained on Zoom. The insights gained from in-person meetings versus virtual ones were substantial. I discovered that I connected far better when meeting people face-to-face. The in-person connection is uniquely robust, provided you excel in personal interactions. This extra effort proved immensely fruitful and has now become my guiding principle: always meet in person.

The person you met last week could introduce you to someone you’ve been struggling to connect with. Murphy’s Law tends to work in your favor! Meeting someone in person increases the likelihood that they will remember you by a significant margin. So, if you’re looking to watch your network grow, prioritize those face-to-face interactions.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

How do you acquire more clients? Personally, I find LinkedIn to be an effective tool. With a paid membership, you can refine lists based on company, region, state, and more. I view LinkedIn as a dedicated platform for business purposes, distinct from typical social media. It’s not a space for sharing family brunch photos on the beach, or at least it shouldn’t be.

To leverage LinkedIn successfully, you may need to learn someone’s name, making it beneficial to stay informed through local business journals and civic events. Prospects could be individuals you encountered at the last chamber event you attended; the possibilities are diverse. Overall, having a deep understanding of your community is crucial, as you can’t effectively address their needs without firsthand knowledge. While some may find it unconventional that we offer a workforce development program for women, it arose from a genuine community need, not a decision we arbitrarily made. Recognizing your audience is paramount. Ensure you are searching for the right people at the appropriate level for your needs.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thefloramayfoundation.org
• Instagram: the_flora_may_foundation
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/www.thefloramayfoundation.org
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-flora-may-foundation/?viewAsMember=true