Simple shifts to grow your ministry-minded business with ease: Office Hours with Dusty
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I’m kicking off a new, every-so-often segment called Office Hours with Dusty. YAY!
Office Hours are live, mini Strategy Sessions you get to be a fly on the wall for! Today I’m coaching Leah, co-president of The Ampersand Initiative, and we dig into practical ways to fill retreat seats, optimize a website for conversions, and build a simple-but-steady email + waitlist system. It’s action-packed (hahaha, like most podcasts. obviously.) and full of quick wins you can apply right away—whether you’re running a nonprofit or a business that needs more sales (all of us, yeah?) - this is for you! Enjoy!
What we talk about
Why donations are still sales (heart + logic) and how to treat them that way
A simple waitlist strategy that keeps momentum between launches
Why you need a true email marketing platform (not just Substack) and how to segment “Newsletter” vs “Retreat Waitlist”
What to put back on your retreat sales page when applications are closed (hint: “Join the waitlist”)
Writing donations like a full sales page: lead with emotion, back it up with logistics
Mid-launch momentum builders (free workshop, tiny paid event, giveaway)
Accessibility + conversion tweaks (clear CTA contrast, fewer mixed messages)
Realistic timelines for higher-ticket events (plan ~6 months out and always open one cohort ahead)
Using blog posts to fuel SEO + email (day-by-day retreat recaps, impact stories)
Stewardship, intentionality, and surrender—doing the work and trusting God with the results
Links & mentions
Percolator Mastermind (apply or join the waitlist): https://dustyhegge.com/percolator
Book a Strategy Session with me: BOOK HERE
Flodesk (Get 50% off your 1st full year + a 7-day free trial!) HERE
The Percolator: Cohort 002
At the time of recording, there were 4 spots left in the Percolator and early application bonuses through October 10, 2025—about 46% savings (only $997 for four months).
Apply to the Percolator! (4 spots left)
SEE ALL THE PERCOLATOR DETAILS
If you’re listening later, the page above will show “Apply now” or “Join the waitlist” for the next cohort.
ON THE FENCE? Or want to talk with me about it? Book a free coffee chat! I’ve been burned (manipulated) into a sale that was NOT a good fit for me to the tune of THOUSANDS of dollars. And you know what happened? I realized I could have taught the whole course (even after sharing what I knew with the instructor), and I stopped consuming content from and buying from this educator - I say this to say, I care MUCH MORE about our relationship than forcing a sale - because it won’t benefit EITHER of us!!! So, I hope you know that you’re in good hands here. I’ll be honest with you. Pinky promise.
Book a free 15 min Coffee Chat
Your turn!
Pick one or two takeaways and implement them today (or by week’s end). Then tell me what you tried and what moved the needle—DM me on Instagram or join the chat on Substack (below!)
I want this to be a dialogue, not a monologue - because I like you!!
