Scaling Kars4Kids from a small, local car-donation outfit into a nationally recognized nonprofit taught me lessons most CEOs only learn in the for-profit world. For starters, marketing isn’t optional—it’s mission-critical. We’ve turned donors into advocates through catchy jingles and bold campaigns, all while staying true to our purpose. As I once shared in an interview, “We are not in the entertainment business. Our mission is … helping children.” That clarity, paired with marketing savvy, helps us balance brand visibility with real impact.

Running a nonprofit also demands sharp operational discipline. Accepting a car is easy—turning it into funds for youth programs isn’t. Behind the scenes, we’ve built service centers, logistics teams, and processing systems that rival any startup’s efficiency. We operate lean, test constantly, and hire people who solve problems before they arise. It’s the kind of operational rigor that for-profit boards value—and that’s exactly the standard I’ve insisted upon.

Finally, innovation is the lifeblood of growth—especially when you’re mission-driven. From introducing boat and real estate donations to partnering with educational programs, we’ve continually refined our model to better serve donors and kids alike . My message to nonprofit founders is this: treat your organization like a business with a noble mission—not the other way around. Because when creativity, discipline, and purpose converge, impact multiplies—and so does opportunity.