Breaking the Nonprofit Stigma: How One Leader is Changing the Game

Michelle Hordal, founder of Adapt Abilities, transformed a teacher’s side hustle into a $6.8M organization serving families with diverse abilities and shared all the details on Serenity Now for Entrepreneurs.

What makes this conversation different? Michelle tackles the uncomfortable truths about nonprofit leadership that nobody talks about:

•     Why she hates the term “not-for-profit” and what she calls it instead

•     How she went from making $3/hour margins to building a sustainable   enterprise

•     The reality check about overhead costs and why paying competitive salaries matters

•     Her bold move: offering performance add-ons as a charitable organization

This isn’t your typical nonprofit story. It’s a conversation in social entrepreneurship that challenges everything we think we know about running mission-driven organizations.

Whether you’re in the social impact space or running a traditional business, this episode offers fresh perspectives on sustainable growth, talent retention, and authentic leadership.