How to Start a Nonprofit (The Right Way) — Avoid These Early Mistakes
HustleinFaithJanuary 29, 2026

How to Start a Nonprofit (The Right Way) — Avoid These Early Mistakes

If you’re thinking about starting a nonprofit or filing for a 501(c)(3), this episode will save you time, money, and headaches.

In this interview on the Hustle in Faith Podcast, LaTosha Johnson sits down with Sharmon Lebby, a nonprofit consultant and founder of Blessed Designs Consulting, to break down what most nonprofit founders get wrong early on and how to build a nonprofit the right way from the start.

You’ll learn:

The most common mistakes new nonprofit founders make (and how to avoid them)

Whether you actually need a 501(c)(3) or a different nonprofit structure

Why nonprofits struggle when they’re passion-driven but lack business systems

How branding + storytelling help you attract the right donors and volunteers

Why collaboration matters more than competition in mission-driven work

How faith can fuel practical, everyday action in social impact and justice work

Sharmon also shares details about her upcoming nonprofit academy, designed to help you go from idea → foundation → launch with clarity, strategy, and sustainability.

Whether you’re a nonprofit founder, nonprofit leader, or someone with a mission-driven idea, this conversation is packed with practical insight to help you create impact without burning out.

Connect with Sharmon Lebby

Website: blessedesignsco.com

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