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Episode #148 Building Tech Without Coding, With Natalie Poindexter, MPH
- Laura Hollabaugh
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
Overview
Dr. Charlotte Huntley speaks with Natalie Poindexter, a grant strategist turned tech entrepreneur who built a B2B SaaS platform to revolutionize how nonprofits and small businesses access funding opportunities. Starting as a consultant who saw inefficiencies in the grant writing process, Natalie taught herself to build technology solutions through vibe coding and AI tools, creating a platform that organizes grant content, streamlines workflows, and makes professional support more affordable.
This conversation explores the realities of entrepreneurship beyond traditional consulting. Natalie shares how she identified a systemic problem in grant accessibility, moved from Word documents to sophisticated tech solutions, and navigated the uncertainty of building in an unfamiliar domain. She discusses the challenges of positioning services, managing client relationships, and maintaining boundaries as a consultant. The episode concludes with Natalie's vision for centering community health and creating equitable access to resources through technology and human connection.
Whether you're considering a pivot in your business model, wondering if you can build solutions outside your technical expertise, or looking for inspiration to tackle systemic challenges in your field, this episode offers practical insights and encouragement for taking bold entrepreneurial steps.
About Our Guest
Natalie Poindexter, MPH
Natalie Poindexter is a funding systems architect, public health leader, and social impact entrepreneur based in Austin, Texas. She currently serves as Chair of the Austin-Travis County Public Health Commission, where she bridges community voices, city staff, and policymakers to address structural gaps in care—particularly for communities of color and historically under-resourced neighborhoods.
Through her umbrella company, Natalie Poindexter Initiatives, she leads NPI Consulting House, the Net-Do Community, and the development of Scaffina, a funding systems platform that helps nonprofits and small businesses access and manage non-dilutive capital. Across her consulting and tech work, she has helped unlock nearly $25M in grants and contributions for community-centered organizations.
As a Black woman who has navigated systems not built for her, Natalie brings a trauma-informed, equity-centered lens to every table she sits at. Whether in government, community, or entrepreneurship, her throughline is clear: design structures that move resources, respect lived experience, and make it easier for people doing the work on the ground to thrive.
Takeaways
Tech innovation doesn't require technical credentials.
Natalie built a functional SaaS platform using tools like Notion and vibe coding with AI. Domain expertise combined with problem solving skills can lead to technological solutions without formal programming training.
Effective solutions often start imperfectly.
The platform began as simple Word document templates before evolving into sophisticated software. Starting with an imperfect but functional solution allowed Natalie to validate the concept and iterate based on real user needs.
Grant writing efficiency depends on organization.
Most grant writers face the recurring challenge of disorganized clients who lack centralized content. Creating systems that force organization upfront saves time and reduces costs for both consultants and organizations.
Client selection becomes possible over time.
Early stage entrepreneurs often say yes to every opportunity. Sustainable success comes from working only with four and five star clients who align with your values, communicate effectively, and respect your expertise.
Community centered health creates sustainable change.Â
Creating tools that make resources more accessible and affordable helps smaller organizations serve their communities while building collective resilience beyond traditional public health systems.
Connect With Our Guest
Resources For Public Health Entrepreneurs
Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been in public health consulting or other type of business for a while, we provide support for public health entrepreneurs through our podcast live mastermind, and on-demand programs. We serve public health entrepreneurs in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and California as well as other parts of the United States and worldwide.
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Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been in public health consulting or other type of business for a while, we provide support for public health entrepreneurs through our podcast and mastermind group program. We serve public health entrepreneurs in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and California as well as other parts of the United States and worldwide.
