Today we’d like to introduce you to SJ Stephens.
SJ, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have been in nonprofit leadership for the past four years, and part of my responsibility at different agencies was to monitor/create the budget, funding and grant management. In the past I’ve helped friends and family obtain funding but it was not something I ever spoke about or advertised. In February 2020, I made a Facebook post about a young lady who reached out to me via social media for help with a grant; because she could not find anyone to assist her within her budget. Based on our conversation, I decided to simply help her – not only with the grant proposal in question ,but also on how to write future funding was not at the mercy of others. The status was simply saying that, if you are in the field of service and your goal is to truly help people, you will help them even if there is no benefit to you; which is truly a motto that I live by. That post generated over 100 comments and 34 inboxes; no one knew that I wrote grants and everyone wanted assistance or more information.
Within 12 hours, I created a booking site (very first time) and within 36 hours, I had 8 consultations booked. From February through the end of May, I did free consultations and deeply discounted grant and business plan writing for my clients. Although I was confident about my writing ability, I was uncertain about the process of managing my full-time career and a business; so this period for me was about personal and professional growth and discovery.
On June 1st, my official website launched and things have been amazing since then. Since then I have discovered new services that my clients need and that I am excited to provide. To date I have serviced over 40 clients everywhere from St. Louis, Atlanta and Houston and as far as Haiti, Uganda and Peru.
In addition to SJS. Business Building & More; I am a Domestic Violence Advocate, I serve on a grant review committee for Flourish(Generate Health) and I am a Lead Grant writer A.L.I.V.E. (Always Living in Victory Enterprises). Most recently, I released a grant readiness manual, “So you think you’re ready to apply for a grant huh?”, in response to client need and I am in the process of releasing 3 additional how-to manuals with a grant writers manual and online class being offered shortly thereafter.
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?
Of course not… During my time of free consultations, I had to learn how to balance giving my clients enough information to prove myself knowledgeable and giving them so much information that they no longer needed my services. Another challenge for me was developing a healthy work-life balance. There was a point where I worked 18-20 hours daily because I had not established boundaries. I had clients calling and texting all hours of the day and I felt an obligation to respond to them no matter the stress or strain it placed in my personal life. I’ve since learned to establish those boundaries early in the relationship, MAKE time for self care and most importantly; how and when to say no.
Please tell us about SJS. Business Building & More.
SJS. Business Building & More is a business consulting firm that specializes in grant writing and business plan preparation. We also help with nonprofit formation, business proposals, budgets, and have recently added a teaching component for start-up organizations.
What sets me apart from the other amazing Grant Writers around is my down to earth approach. Absolutely what you see is what you get. I am highly educated and professional however, on any given day you may scroll through my Facebook page and see me posting about my children, promoting my business, quoting Kevin Gates lyrics or providing my infamous “Tips of the Day”, which are typically pretty unorthodox. I do not live by the model of keeping business and personal separate; there’s just one me and rather you agree with a social media post; I guarantee to get the job done. I stand on my ability to write exceptional grant proposals and have the references and reviews that align with that statement. Several clients have stated that my approach makes me appear more genuine than others they have worked with and they enjoy having a glimpse into my life; and I do not mind sharing.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
INTEGRITY and HONESTY are the biggest two.
Pricing:
- $11.56 Grant readiness checklist
- $30 Consultation
- $325 Grant preparation
- $225 Business plans/proposals
- $500 Monthly consultation retainer
Contact Info:
- Website: sjsbusinessbuilding.com
- Email: info@sjsbusinessbuilding.com
- Instagram: sjs_businessbuilding
Image Credit:
Brandee Chamber and LeJon “LJ” Paynes III
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