Are you operating as a freelance grant writer or are you truly stepping into the role of a business owner?

There’s a big difference.

In this episode, Holly Rustick dives into the mindset shift that transforms a freelance grant writer into a successful business owner. She explores why adopting the identity of a CEO is essential if you want to grow beyond trading time for money and build a sustainable, scalable grant writing business.

Holly discusses how your decisions, service offerings, pricing, and long-term strategy all change when you begin thinking like a business owner. She also shares how many successful grant professionals start with a side hustle but can intentionally build systems that allow their businesses to grow far beyond themselves.

You'll also learn why building a team is one of the most powerful steps toward scaling, how to maintain quality as you expand, and what systems you need to create consistency in your client experience. Plus, Holly shares practical insights on stepping into your CEO role, creating scalable offers, increasing revenue, and avoiding burnout along the way.

If you're ready to stop doing everything yourself and start building a business that can grow with you, this episode is your roadmap.

ABOUT HOLLY RUSTICK

Grant Writing & Funding (GWF) has a Global Movement to Secure $1 Billion in Grant Funding for Good and $30 Million in Grant Writing Businesses by 2030. Holly Rustick, CEO of GWF, is leading the movement; a world-renowned grant writer with 20+ years of experience, bestselling author, and business coach for new and seasoned grant writers to replace their full-time income writing grants part-time from home through her signature programs: the Freelance Grant Writer Academy and the Grant Professional Mentorship.

Rustick is the host of the top grant writing podcast "Grant Writing & Funding" and the author of the bestselling book, The Beginner's Guide to Grant Writing. With an MA in International Political Economy, past-president of the Guam Women's Chamber of Commerce, serving on numerous boards of directors, Holly is also an unapologetic feminist. She lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella.

CONNECT WITH HOLLY RUSTICK

Website: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-rustick-0765b817/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyrustick

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GrantWritingandFunding

RESOURCES:

Weekly Newsletter: "Write Grants. Get Paid" - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/

Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/

Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship

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Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.

Thanks for listening!

Warmly,

Holly Rustick

Leading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.