MENTOR SPOTLIGHT: MEREDITH NOBLE @ LEARN GRANT WRITING
When did you know you wanted to take an entrepreneurial path?
Two businessmen in my community were brought in to my High School Humanities class to share what it meant to be an entrepreneur. I remember one buying $18K of Apple stock right before our eyes, and I think I’m the only one that realized what just happened. I was so inspired by the options available. Plus, I was raised by two entrepreneurs as a 5th generation cattle rancher so I never knew anyone in my immediate vicinity that received a bi-monthly pay check!
Tell us about your venture/work!
I’m the co-founder of Learn Grant Writing, home of the Global Grant Writers Collective. We help those looking for a fulfilling, flexible career become paid grant writers. Transformation is delivered through an online course, community and coaching program that’s my greatest source of pride.
How did you decide to tackle this particular issue?
I realized coffee dates and even a few day workshops didn’t transform an aspiring grant writer into someone who had the confidence and skills to write grants, let alone make money doing it. I remember sitting on a tractor at my family’s ranch when it occurred to me, “What if I taught online?” It was a long path to figuring out how to teach online but once we got it, we have been on a rocket!
What do you enjoy most about being an impact entrepreneur? What’s hardest about it?
My life purpose is inspiring other women to try their hand at entrepreneurship. It is most inspiring seeing other women (and cool men) chase their dreams down to make an impact and a difference in their own lives. What’s hardest about it is renewing my commitment to the topic of grant writing when I want to venture elsewhere as any typical visionary entrepreneur wants to!
How do you navigate the space of being a founder and also being a POC/women/non-binary person?
I have squarely put myself into masculine spaces and frankly spent a lot of time trying to fit into those arenas – not only as a founder but as an athlete. It took a number of physical injuries and health issues to finally realize that an overly masculine approach wasn’t going to work anymore. I navigate these spaces by now taking ala carte what’s most useful from masculine spaces and bringing that back distilled for my own community. I have learned a tremendous amount from Victoria Song (who would be great to feature!) and will gladly share what I’ve learned from her to navigate business as a woman.
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