The Mission Control podcast is where nonprofit stories and leadership lessons take center stage. Hosted by **Paul J Schmidt**, each episode offers candid conversations with leaders who are making meaningful change in their communities. In this episode, Paul welcomes his friend Beth Read, founder and executive director of **TWIGS**, a Michigan nonprofit dedicated to easing the daily burdens of families navigating cancer.

Beth’s warmth, humor, and authenticity shine throughout the conversation. Even her loyal dog, Murphy, makes a cameo, reminding listeners that nonprofit work—like life itself—is rarely polished but always real.

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## The Heart Behind TWIGS

TWIGS exists to *lift everyday burdens from cancer patients and their families so they can concentrate on healing and spending time with loved ones.* This mission is both practical and deeply personal for Beth.

The name “TWIGS” carries a story of its own. An acronym for *to work in grateful service,* it was also Beth’s mother’s high school nickname. Beth founded the organization in her mother’s honor—not to mark her illness, but to celebrate her spirit of giving.

Beth’s mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given a year to live. She fought for nearly three years, which gave her family more time to make memories. Beth’s family had access to support systems that eased their daily lives. But she quickly realized many families in her community had no such help. TWIGS was born out of that awareness: a way to extend support services like rides, housekeeping, yard work, and errands to families who need it most.

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## Starting Small, Growing Steady

Beth’s leap into nonprofit leadership came during the pandemic. Though she had zero nonprofit experience, she brought a strong background in business, real estate, and management. She leaned into her research skills, asked plenty of questions, and surrounded herself with people who knew more than she did.

“Let’s help one person and see what this looks like,” Beth recalls. That philosophy shaped TWIGS’ early growth. By focusing on one family at a time, TWIGS built trust and found its rhythm despite COVID delays and unexpected setbacks.

Collaboration was crucial from day one. Friends, colleagues, and board members like Kate—who brought both personal cancer experience and professional expertise—helped transform Beth’s vision into a functioning nonprofit.

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## Leadership Lessons Along the Way

Beth is the first to admit she learned nonprofit leadership by doing. She drew on past business experience but also adapted to the unique challenges of running a mission-driven organization.

Her leadership style is grounded in empathy and example. “I’ll never ask you to do something I won’t do myself,” she says. In TWIGS’ early days, Beth personally cleaned homes, weeded gardens, and drove patients before inviting volunteers to join.

Key takeaways from her leadership journey include:

* **Lead by example**: Show willingness before asking others.
* **Practice empathy**: Volunteers give their time freely; respect is non-negotiable.
* **Fill your gaps**: Surround yourself with people who bring skills and knowledge you lack.
* **Stay accountable**: Use mentors, coaches, or peers to help manage time and energy.

Beth also highlights the importance of passion. “You have to really believe in your cause,” she says. Without that conviction, burnout comes quickly.

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## The Volunteer Journey

For grassroots nonprofits, building a reliable volunteer base is often the turning point. TWIGS was no exception.

At first, Beth handled nearly every task herself. Gradually, volunteers joined, especially to provide rides to medical appointments—a critical service for cancer patients. Many of these volunteers had personal connections to cancer, which helped build trust with clients.

A local news feature gave TWIGS wider exposure, sparking a wave of new applications, especially from retirees. Today, Beth says volunteers “fight over shifts” to help. She describes them as “amazing humans” and emphasizes her deep gratitude: “I could hug every one of these people.”

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## Challenges and Growth

Like any young nonprofit, TWIGS faced hurdles. Some families were hesitant to accept help. Gaining trust in the community took patience. And fundraising—always an uphill climb—sometimes felt uncomfortable.

Still, TWIGS persevered. Nearly 100 people have been served in just four years, a testament to steady growth and unwavering dedication. For Beth, every donation, every volunteer, and every family supported is a milestone worth celebrating.

Looking ahead, her goals include securing sustainable funding to support paid staff, expanding programming, and ensuring TWIGS can continue meeting the needs of families for years to come.

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## Beyond the Hustle: Finding Balance

Running a nonprofit while juggling family life and a career in real estate leaves little downtime. Yet Beth emphasizes the importance of self-care. Long walks with Murphy, yoga, coffee dates with friends, and fiction reading provide balance and renewal.

“You need someone who’s going to hold you accountable for your time,” she explains, crediting her business coach for helping her stay focused and organized.

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## Collaboration Over Competition

Beth is quick to point out that nonprofits thrive when they work together. TWIGS partners with local foundations and other organizations like Child and Family Services, Helping Women Period, and the Davies Project. For her, there’s no sense of competition. “There’s enough love to go around,” she says.

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## Final Thoughts

Beth Read’s story, shared on the Mission Control podcast with **Paul J Schmidt**, is a testament to what happens when personal passion meets community need. TWIGS proves that even the smallest beginnings—one ride, one yard mowed, one errand run—can grow into lasting impact when fueled by empathy and persistence.

Her journey offers a roadmap for aspiring changemakers: start where you are, lean on your community, and never underestimate the power of small, consistent acts of service.

To learn more about TWIGS, visit **[www.twiginc.org](http://www.twiginc.org)**.