beneath the surface
what we do best
With over 45 years of combined experience, Blue Octopus Consulting is dedicated to helping nonprofits and small businesses overcome challenges and reach new heights. Whether you're solving immediate problems or navigating the future, we offer adaptable, tailored solutions. Founded by Laura Bennett and Shelley Sowers, we bring a powerful combination of skills to the table.
Shelley leads the charge in brand elevation, marketing, and event management—helping organizations increase visibility, boost revenue, and expand impact. Her skilled approach ensures an organization’s brand and messaging align with its mission, forging a deeper connection with stakeholders. Laura brings deep expertise in nonprofit leadership, operations, and project management, with a focus on building the infrastructure that ensures long-term success. She leads efforts to secure new funding, broaden organizational influence, and connect with key opportunities for advocacy and policy engagement.
Beyond our core leadership, we are enhanced by a network of experienced professionals we can call on as needed, offering additional expertise in fundraising, government relations, HR, data management, media relations, and community engagement. This ensures our clients receive comprehensive, high-level support tailored to their specific needs.
Together, we help your organization adapt and grow, ready to embrace new opportunities.
our strengths
key services
why we're different
meet our team
laura bennett
co-founder & ceo
With 25 years of nonprofit leadership under my belt, I’ve seen just about everything—but I’m still learning every day. I believe curiosity and a good sense of humor go a long way in solving complex problems.
laura bennett
co-founder & ceo
With 25 years of nonprofit leadership under my belt, I’ve seen just about everything—but I’m still learning every day. I believe curiosity and a good sense of humor go a long way in solving complex problems.
Whether it’s untangling operational knots, fine-tuning governance, figuring out the best database, or crafting effective advocacy strategies, I bring a practical, hands-on approach and a deep commitment to helping organizations succeed in the moment and prepare for the future.
Throughout my career, I’ve led large-scale organizational overhauls, developed high-impact advocacy strategies, and built systems, programs, and strategies that have driven lasting change. My focus is always on creating practical, effective solutions that align with each organization’s unique needs and goals.
On a personal note, I live out in the country (truly the boonies!) with my husband, two lively (and lovely) daughters, eight cats (yes, you read that right), a one-eyed dog, and two guinea pigs. We love to travel, have adventures, and spend money we don’t have doing it. 😊
As I embark on my next adventure with Blue Octopus, I’m lucky to have Shelley as my business partner, collaborator, and friend.
carter barker
programs & partnerships manager
Getting things done means turning big ideas into practical solutions. I bring experience in program design, partnerships, and inclusive practices that help teams make real progress.
shelley sowers
co-founder & ceo
Life is a busy balancing act, and that’s where I shine. Over two decades of leadership experience in operations, marketing, and event management have taught me that adaptability, creativity, and collaboration are the keys to success.
shelley sowers
co-founder & ceo
Life is a busy balancing act, and that’s where I shine. Over two decades of leadership experience in operations, marketing, and event management have taught me that adaptability, creativity, and collaboration are the keys to success. Whether I’m managing a professional soccer team or transforming the conversation around adaptive sports, I thrive in fast-paced, high-stakes environments with lots of moving parts.
One of my strengths is bringing together diverse, sometimes unconventional groups and helping them collaborate effectively. I’m all about turning complex challenges into productive solutions, whether it’s orchestrating large, intricate events or spearheading transformative brand elevation projects. My approach is hands-on and results-driven, with a focus on finding innovative, practical strategies to help organizations grow and maximize their impact.
I’m especially passionate about elevating brands—taking them to the next level and reshaping how they’re seen. Whether refining marketing strategies, driving revenue, or managing day-to-day operations, I focus on creating meaningful change.
When I’m not juggling work, I’m busy keeping up with my two energetic boys and my husband, a professional soccer coach.
I’m excited to launch Blue Octopus Consulting with Laura, my business partner and close friend. Together, we combine creativity, collaboration, and expertise to help organizations tackle challenges and reach their full potential. Let’s connect and explore how we can help your organization thrive!
what's in a name?
From the acclaimed documentary My Octopus Teacher to the beloved novel Remarkably Bright Creatures, the octopus is certainly having its moment.
but what does this have to do with us?
When brainstorming our consulting firm's name, we reflected on the core values, skills, and characteristics that define us—and how these attributes would benefit our clients.
During this process, we discovered the phrase "operational fluidity." A quick search revealed something fascinating: the octopus, known for its adaptability, resourcefulness, and efficiency, is a true model of operational fluidity. It can become whatever it needs to be in any given moment.
we knew we were on to something.
Inspired by the octopus, we embraced its other remarkable qualities: creativity, problem-solving, innovation, resilience, curiosity, and tactical thinking. These attributes align perfectly with the fluid way we approach our work. Like the octopus, we bring our clients solutions that are both strategic and agile, grounded in 45+ years of combined experience and leadership in nonprofit organizations.
Every service we offer reflects our commitment to excellence, whether it’s crafting a data strategy, optimizing operations, executing your event, or building long-term sustainability.
our name isn't just symbolic—it represents our values and how we deliver results.
And why the color blue? It represents the natural beauty of our Blue Ridge Mountains, the precision of blueprints (we do love a good plan), and perhaps, the vibrancy of a certain species of octopus. We’ll leave that for you to decide.
want to take a deeper dive?
Check out these articles and get inspired for your own organization: