Tobie Spears Five Things I Wish Someone Told Me
“Do anything you can to get people who are committed to helping you succeed. That means get a mentor. That means get an assistant. That could also mean talk to everybody you can and share your passion with them. You never know when your passion will resonate with someone and they will find interest in your project.” – Tobie Spears
As part of an interview with Authority Magazine, Tobie Spears shares five things she wishes someone told her when she first launched her nonprofit. Her journey from Utah to Guatemala reveals powerful lessons about resilience, leadership, and building a mission driven organization.
From Family Road Trip to Global Impact
In 2013, Tobie Spears and her family drove from Utah to Guatemala. That trip changed everything.
After returning home, she knew their connection to Guatemala was not temporary. Soon after, she began leading volunteer groups and eventually founded Be Humanitarian.
Today, Be Humanitarian leads service based travel experiences in Guatemala that focus on early childhood nutrition, education, and sustainable income opportunities. Learn more about their current programs here:
https://behumanitarian.org/active-trips
However, the road to building a nonprofit was not glamorous.
The Reality of Launching a Nonprofit
Starting a nonprofit takes more than passion. It requires patience, grit, and steady belief in your mission.
Guatemala consistently ranks among the countries with the highest rates of chronic child malnutrition in the Western Hemisphere. According to the World Food Programme, nearly half of children under five experience chronic malnutrition.
https://www.wfp.org/countries/guatemala
When Tobie learned that some children were placed in orphanages simply because their families could not afford food or education, her mission became clear. She wanted to strengthen families, not separate them.
As a mother, she could not imagine giving her daughters away to ensure they were fed. That emotional reality fueled her determination.
Overcoming Early Hardships
Starting a nonprofit was much harder than expected.
Finding the right partners.
Building trust.
Securing funding.
Maintaining energy.
Yet despite the challenges, Tobie chose to focus on progress rather than obstacles. She credits her husband, her board of directors, and everyday sponsors for sustaining the mission.
Grit and resilience became the foundation of growth.
Today, Be Humanitarian supports dozens of children in school, provides thousands of meals each month, and creates income generating opportunities through its sewing center and garden tower initiatives.
Tobie Spears Five Things I Wish Someone Told Me
Here are the five lessons Tobie wishes someone had shared when she first launched her nonprofit.
1. Be Flexible With Yourself
Perfection is not required. Progress is.
Baby steps eventually become powerful movements. Pivoting is not failure. It is growth.
2. Your Passion Is Not Everyone’s Passion
Not everyone will understand your mission.
Some questioned why she focused on a small village in Guatemala. Her answer remains simple. There is work to be done everywhere. Choose your corner of the world and do good there.
3. Do Not Discount Everyday Heroes
Be Humanitarian is funded by everyday people.
Sponsors give what they can. Some donate fifteen dollars. Others give hundreds. One waitress donated five hundred dollars after working long shifts to earn it.
Impact is not built only by wealthy donors. It is built by committed hearts.
4. Create Committed People
Find mentors.
Build a strong board.
Share your vision widely.
Commitment multiplies impact. No founder succeeds alone.
5. Be Tenacious
Several people told Tobie her nonprofit would fail.
One businessman even advised her to quit. Years later, he donated to help purchase land for their sewing center.
Persistence changes minds. More importantly, it changes outcomes.
Riding the Emotional Highs and Lows
Being a founder means navigating both triumph and heartbreak.
In 2021, one of their preschool students passed away due to medical complications. It was one of the hardest moments of Tobie’s life.
Leadership requires emotional resilience. It also requires community.
Behind every successful founder is a village of supporters willing to listen, brainstorm, encourage, and wipe away tears when needed.
What Makes Be Humanitarian Different
Be Humanitarian stands out because it is not just a nonprofit. It is a movement.
The mission is simple. Inspire individuals to become global citizens and take a hands on role in improving the world around them.
Through education, nutrition, and sustainable income initiatives, families gain long term opportunity rather than temporary aid.
You can explore their work and connect through Tobie’s official links here:
https://linktr.ee/tobiespears
A Movement Rooted in Personal Experience
Tobie was raised by a single mother on welfare. She remembers receiving Christmas gifts from strangers. She understands what it means to be on the receiving end of generosity.
Because of that childhood, her mission is deeply personal.
Service changes both the person who gives and the person who receives. Communities grow stronger when opportunity replaces dependency. In fact, even a small group of committed people can create lasting change.
Final Thoughts
The story behind Tobie Spears Five Things I Wish Someone Told Me is ultimately about courage.
Starting a nonprofit is difficult. Sustaining it is even harder. Yet resilience, community, and unwavering purpose make long term impact possible.
If you are launching something new, remember this. Be flexible. Stay tenacious. Build committed people around you. And choose your corner of the world to serve.
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!
Find the entire article here
Published in Authority Magazine
