Today we’d like to introduce you to Laine Bradley.
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
Hey. I’m Laine Bradley. I’m an entrepreneur, grant expert and a federal proposal writer. I help entrepreneurs and organizations create their social impact story to win grants. I have been a full time entrepreneur since 2018 after working from various call centers, as a Sprint employee and finally the banking industry after deciding it was best to start my own financial firm. From 2018- 2020, I’ve gone from credit and financial education, to accounting and tax for small businesses to currently grant funding and education. I’ve been applying for grant funding since I became an entrepreneur and I realized during the pandemic in 2020, the lack of education and strategy in grant funding for businesses and entrepreneurs versus nonprofit organizations. I decided it was time to make a change and show businesses and entrepreneurs why it’s important to be grant ready and secure funding as an extra stream for their company or their community programs.
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
The challenges I have overcome has definitely come from the pandemic in 2020. After being an accountant for small businesses, I realized it was time to pivot around April 2020. I began assisting small businesses, entrepreneurs, and organizations with grant applications, EIDL applications, PPP applications and federal proposals. It became a full service a few months later, and eventually a separate business after the demand increased. Once businesses started closing due to the pandemic, the best thing to do was pivot and secure corporate contracts in proposal writing. From then, we have secured over $13 million in grant funding and the number continues to rise as we teach businesses and organizations the steps to achieve grant funding for themselves.
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
I specialize in assisting entrepreneurs and organizations in creating their social impact story in order to win grant funding. We do that in 5 ways: our masterclasses, a 1:1 consultation, an 8-week curriculum program, our agency services and our training and speaking services. Our clients work with us over the competition because we are active in seeking grant funding for our own company and have a history of winning consistent grant funding for our clients and students. We also believe in continued education, coaching and mentorship. As information changes in the grant funding industry, it’s very important to invest in yourself. Not only for a few months but for a lifetime. It’s important to understand that you should never stop being a student in your craft. If you think you know everything, you will realize that you do not know anything.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
Success starts with your mindset. So many people desire to achieve the things they have always dreamed of due to the fear of failing. I’ve failed more than 10 times in my business and I’m still standing. I have screamed, been frustrated, cried and felt like maybe I didn’t belong. But I wiped my tears and got right back to work. Why? Because if not me, then who else. And if I continue to listen to the people who haven’t accomplished half of what I’ve accomplished then honestly what am I doing? Is it going to be easy. Absolutely not! But is it worth it? Oh yeah. There are sacrifices to changing the life you have and living the life you desire.
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
Success truly means having the freedom you desire and whatever you need to do to achieve it. Success is whatever you believe works best for you. I know what I desire isn’t what everyone else will. There’s so many people who think success is tied to money but it’s honestly tied to your time and freedom. I remember, before 2018, I didn’t feel successful at all. I felt like a loser trying to simply survive. While I’m not the richest person in the world currently, I do have freedom and authority over my life. I can say what I am willing to do and what are complete non-negotiables for me. Not many people can say that. Something that small is success to me.
What’s next for you?
I plan on traveling all over the country and even internationally to educate more entrepreneurs and organizations on the power of grant funding.
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?
They can connect with me on our website: www.lainebradley.com, Instagram: @mrslainebradley and LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lainebceo