Grant CEO: Where Experienced Grant Writers Become CEOs
Let me guess, when you dreamed about starting your own grant-writing business, you did not dream about working long hours, answering emails late at night, or saying yes to every little thing that client asks you. Am I right?
Grant CEO is the podcast for experienced grant-writers and grant consultants who have mastered their craft (and even reached the big 10K months) but are now struggling to run a grant-writing business that feels true to their values, goals, and dreams.
I’m DeaRonda Harrison, founder of June First Firm and creator of the You Are the Prize™ Framework. I’m here to help you ditch the grind and step fully into your role as the CEO of your grant writing business.
Each week, we're diving deep into one of the five pillars of my proven framework — Power, Pricing, Packaging, Positioning, and People. At the end of each episode, you’ll know how to:
⏰ Set boundaries that protect your time, peace, and profit
🥇Position yourself as the go-to grant professional in your niche
💰 Price your services with confidence and clarity
📦 Package and sell your grant writing offers for consistent revenue
🎯 Build a capable team so you can lead, not do it all
Through honest conversations–solo coaching episodes and guest interviews with successful 6-figure grant writers–you’ll learn how to turn your expertise into a scalable, sustainable grant writing company. One that supports your life, not drains it.
Whether you’re exploring grant-writer retainers, raising your pricing, or looking to hire a team member, this podcast gives you the tools, mindset, strategies, and motivation to grow from grant-writer freelancer to Grant CEO.
It’s time to stop overdelivering, undercharging, and working nights and weekends.
It’s time to run your grant writing business like a CEO.
Grant CEO: Where Experienced Grant Writers Become CEOs
E1. The 5 Pillars to Scale Your Grant Writing Business
Welcome to Grant CEO, the podcast for experienced grant writers earning consistent income but tired of doing everything themselves. If you’re negotiating your rates, customizing pricing for every client, sending proposals that get ghosted, or working more hours than you did in-house, you’re in the right place.
In this first episode, I introduce the five pillars of the Grant CEO framework—power, positioning, pull, pricing, and people—and how they work together to help you scale a sustainable grant writing business.
You’ll learn how to move from overworked freelance grant writer to confident Grant CEO by setting boundaries, pricing your services strategically, attracting the right clients, and building a team that supports your growth.
In this episode:
00:00:00 Scaling a Grant Writing Business
00:01:27 Five Pillars Framework
00:05:26 Freelance Consultant To CEO
This podcast is produced by Ideablossoms.
About DeaRonda Harrison:
DeaRonda Harrison is the founder of June First Firm and host of the Grant CEO podcast, a show for experienced grant writers ready to step into the role of strategic, confident CEO of their own scalable business. With over a decade of experience, she’s helped nonprofits secure more than $45 million in funding.
Today, DeaRonda coaches grant writing consultants on pricing their services, setting boundaries, and moving from freelance grant writer to CEO. Through her You Are the Prize™ Framework, she helps grant professionals build sustainable, profitable grant writing businesses.
Grant CEO Assessment: https://grantceo.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dearondaharrison/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dearondaharrison/
Website: https://junefirstfirm.com/