We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Megan Pater. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Megan below.

Megan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Reflecting on the roots of Birthmom Buddies, it’s a heartfelt response to a profound need. Placing my daughter for adoption in 2008 brought to light the struggles faced by birth mothers, especially those from Native American backgrounds. It struck me hard that they were navigating the aftermath without the support they so desperately needed.

Birthmom Buddies steps into that gap. It’s not just about discussing support; it’s about being there—emotionally, financially, and as advocates. Picture this: brave women making one of the toughest decisions of their lives, yet left to navigate the complexities of post-adoption solo. It’s a stark reality we’re challenging head-on.

As a Native American birth mother, the cultural and historical layers add depth to our mission. This isn’t just a cause; it’s deeply personal and impactful. Birthmom Buddies is about fighting for the rights and well-being of birth mothers across the nation, ensuring they’re not forgotten.

Envision a national landscape where adoptive families receive extensive resources, while birth mothers are often left in dire circumstances. Birthmom Buddies is here to question that disparity and advocate for a change that’s long overdue.

Our vision is crystal clear: every birth mother, regardless of background, deserves more than just acknowledgment. They deserve care and tangible support. Birthmom Buddies is not merely a support system; it’s a movement redefining how birth mothers are treated post-adoption. It encapsulates my personal journey, a commitment to helping others, and a plea for support.

I’d love to get the nation to Join us in standing up for empowerment, for recognition, and for the right of every birth mother to have a fair chance at life post-adoption. Birthmom Buddies stands as a testament to the strength, love, and resilience of every birth mother out there. Together, let’s make a difference.

Megan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Absolutely, and it’s great to be here sharing with you! For those catching up, I’m Megan, and my journey into the nonprofit world is far from conventional. On October 31st, almost on a whim, I launched a nonprofit, a dream I’d been nurturing for years. The challenges of logistics and funding always loomed, but on November 1st, I took the plunge.

To overcome the funding challenge, I crafted a unique solution: a for-profit business focused on credit restoration. It wasn’t just about revenue; it was about empowering birth mothers through financial literacy. Those who could afford the service would, in turn, support those who couldn’t, contributing to the nonprofit.
In a single day, I found myself at the helm of two new ventures, diving in headfirst. A year later, this bold move is paying off, making a real impact. It’s a path less traveled, but one that’s shaped me profoundly.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

When I embarked on the journey to establish Birthmom Buddies and ECE Solutions, I faced a common challenge: securing initial capital. I then found myself moving to a rural area with a population of just 2,000, where the nearest bank is an hour’s drive away, I was acutely aware of the financial constraints prevalent in such communities. This lack of access to funding in rural regions sparked my ambition to create a difference. I started Fund-Nation a loan brokerage with the hopes of turning into to a CDFI when applications open up next year.

In the mean time you may wonder How did I overcome this hurdle? The answer is simple: grants. Operating a nonprofit quickly teaches you about financial limitations. To effectively serve my community, I realized that establishing a financial institution or at least providing access to one was imperative. This venture wasn’t just a business move; it was a community service.

The process was largely self-driven. Running a nonprofit, I understood the challenges of fundraising. I believe that community efforts shouldn’t drain personal finances. By securing grant funding, I could support not only my organization but also the wider community. This approach enabled me to offer programs like credit restoration and financial literacy to anyone who walked through my doors, not just birth mothers.

Understanding the power of grant funding is crucial. It allows you to support your business, whether for-profit or nonprofit, and to make impactful changes in your community. The ethos of my business is not solely about making money; it’s about making a difference, bringing something new and beneficial to the community.

I advocate for writing your own grants. Your passion and understanding of your mission are unparalleled. If you’re unsure how to proceed, seek a grant writer or attend educational programs, like the free workshop I offer every Wednesday night at 530pm PST. This empowers businesses and nonprofits to articulate their unique stories and needs.

So I guess, my journey to securing initial capital was a blend of self-driven effort, a deep understanding of my community’s needs, and a strategic approach to grant funding. This process not only funded my ventures but also reinforced the core values of community service and making a difference.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Plain and simple being honest authentic and always giving more than you think you should. If I could support my self on hopes and dreams and money wasn’t a factor I would be doing the same thing but giving of my knowledge services and time freely to everyone. as it is now I need a gatekeeper to stop me from doing just that. But even when I’ve faced tough situations being honest about my capabilities as well as what I was actually willing to do always provided me with a solution that I may not have loved but always one that I could live with never causing me to break my word to a client or an employee which is paramount

Contact Info:

• Website: www.fund-nation.org. www.birthmombuddies.net
• Instagram: Megz.8177
• Facebook: Megan Pater
• Other: www.Myecesolutions.com is my do it yourself credit restoration software Also please join or free or paid community and feel free to come ask questions via my Wednesday nights zoom at 5:30 pm PST Sign up at www.Fund-nation.pro