Today we’d like to introduce you to Frances Atwater.
Frances, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
In 2016, I walked away from the social services field, a field that I’ve been a part of since I graduated college. I then transitioned into the college sector as a director. While adjusting to the career change, I started brainstorming on what I wanted the next chapter of my life to look like. So, I started thinking about what my interest and my strengths was. Ever since I can remember, I loved reading and writing. I enjoy English composition and reconstructing my ideas in writing. My strengths have always been saving and managing money and I’m a planner/organizer by nature. I also genuinely enjoy research of any kind. I like to learn how things are developed and what it takes to execute and deliver. Once I identified my specific attributes, I decided to create a business reflecting who I am and what I do well. And that’s how Quality Assurance Consultation was born!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Easy? Not at all but I must say that it has not been incredibly hard either. I am grateful to know that I am walking in my designed path. For me, the work that I produce is my passion tied to my calling. Of course, I’ve had to learn what works best through trial and error, but it cultivated my skillset. I will admit that adjusting and learning various expertise has been challenging because each client wants something different but the same. Therefore, I study a lot so that I can stay current and knowledgeable. It is my job to personalize and add simple touches to bring my client’s vision to life. I make sure that each client understands that my service is a partnership not, just a “job” for me. I go into any agreement with the positive mentality to be focused on the overall goal but what the future can offer to take my client’s business to the next level because there is always room for growth.
Please tell us about Quality Assurance Consultation, LLC.
Frances Atwater is the Owner and Operator of Quality Assurance Consultation, LLC. Quality Assurance Consultation is a business consultation firm that specializes in strategic planning in the areas of: project management, business development, grant writing, business management services and educational preparation (higher ed). The most prominent service QAC offers is seeking funding opportunities for businesses to expand its earning potential, develop pilot projects, and establish sustainability and partnerships through grant funding or other eligible financial avenues.
Throughout this year, Ms. Atwater has developed several partnerships with major corporations such as: Amazon, Google, ESPN The Magazine, Morris Brown College, MARTA, Kentucky State University, City of Atlanta, Visa, Nike, Mountain Dew, and many others including a host of non-profits. The partnerships led Ms. Atwater in receiving an honor from the government on the state and national level. In 2019, Ms. Atwater was ranked #1 in the state of Georgia and #6 in the country for having the most state and federal approved grants as a Grant Writer.
Frances now teaches grant writing “master” classes to individuals who are interested in learning how to secure free funding for themselves or their business.” When I first started writing grants, I never got approved. However, most of the feedback from the funders were constructive so I basically created a cheat sheet every time I got denied on what NOT to do. Once I understood what I was doing wrong, I then learned how to develop an effective proposal. So, I teach people what not to do so they can get approved the first submission. It is rewarding for people to come to me and tell me how beneficial my class was for them and they now understand how to solicit free funding. My goal is to develop a network of grant writers so that we can edify the communities that we grew up in and help foster low income families and black businesses. My recognition from the government means nothing if I don’t use my skillset to help my own people. I have to, it’s imperative at this point and I will continue to facilitate the greatness of all those I connect with until I die.”
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from childhood would be college football season. My family are huge advocates and graduates of HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges/Universities) and we would go to several homecomings each year: Fort Valley State University, Savannah State University, and Tuskegee. We would first attend the parade in the morning and then head to campus. I would see all the young men and women in their Greek paraphernalia, stepping and walking around the campus like they owned it. I knew from a very young age that I wanted to attend an HBCU and I’m so honored to say that not only did I attend an HBCU, I got the opportunity to graduate and pledge Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at Miles College in Birmingham, AL.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.qaconsultation.com
- Email: featwater@gmail.com
- Facebook: @qaconsultation
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