Sarah Buchanan-Sasson: Founder and Executive Director, Kula Project

On today’s show, I have Sarah Buchanan-Sasson who is the Founder & Executive Director of Kula Project.

Sarah and I talk about how the idea of Kula Project came to be and how she got started, the hardships of growing a non-profit and one particular moment she wanted to give up, what she’d do differently if she were to start over again, what she’d suggest to someone who wants to start their own non-profit, and so much more!

Excited for you to tune in and hope you enjoy!

Sarah Buchanan-Sasson | Founder and Executive Director, Kula Project

Show notes

In today’s episode, you’ll find out:

How Sarah started Kula Project and why she wanted to focus on helping families in Rwanda.
Some of the biggest struggles she’s had while running a non-profit.
One moment where she wanted to give up and how she found motivation again.
What she’d do differently if she were to start over again.
Advice she’d give to someone who wants to start their own non-profit.
One of the best things about running a non-profit.
How listeners can get involved with Kula Project.

Sarah Buchanan is the Founder and Director of Kula Project. She has a degree in International Development and has been working in East Africa since 2009. She started her organization with the belief that charity will not eradicate poverty, business will, so Kula develops entrepreneurs through a 15-fellowship. Sarah splits her time between Atlanta and Kigali, Rwanda.

Key takeaways from this episode

Charity can end suffering but it can't eradicate poverty. Only business can do that. - @thekulaproject Click To Tweet One of my mentors told me that nothing is invented and perfected at the same time. - @thekulaproject Click To Tweet

When we first started, we thought the more places that we were in, the more legitimate we were. – Sarah Buchanan-Sasson

It was this overwhelming feeling of, this is where you’re supposed to be. – Sarah Buchanan-Sasson

One of our biggest core values is listening and that's how we got started in Rwanda. Just listening. - @thekulaproject Click To Tweet

Getting people to give you money is really hard. Nobody likes to be asked for money. – Sarah Buchanan-Sasson

I have wanted to quit so many times. I'm lucky I've wanted to keep going at least one more time than I wanted to quit. - @thekulaproject Click To Tweet

The week that we had to get $35,000, my first hire quit, we got a check for $40,000 that we thought was real, but it was fake. – Sarah Buchanan-Sasson

I feel like that moment taught me to have my guard up in healthy ways. – Sarah Buchanan-Sasson

In the beginning, there's no way you can have a work/life balance. - @thekulaproject Click To Tweet As an entrepreneur, I feel like you have to hit absolute rock bottom before you realize you have to have work/life balance. - @thekulaproject Click To Tweet

I think the biggest thing I wish is that I would have listened to my gut more in the beginning. – Sarah Buchanan-Sasson

As an entrepreneur, I feel like you have to hit absolute rock bottom before you realize you have to have work/life balance. - @thekulaproject Click To Tweet

Links to resources

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