Grant Writing for Small Business Owners: How to Get Funded Without Losing Your Mind

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In this episode, Dr. Raymona is joined by Hazel Blake Parker, MS, CFLE—CEO of the Parker Institute for Excellence, seasoned grant writer, nonprofit consultant, and Certified Family Life Educator. With over 34 years of experience in training and organizational development, Hazel has helped businesses and nonprofits alike secure grant funding and scale their impact through strategy, structure, and sustainable planning.

Whether you’ve never applied for a grant or are ready to optimize your approach, Hazel walks you through how to get your business “grant ready,” avoid common funding mistakes, and build a boilerplate toolkit that positions you for long-term funding success.

This episode is a must-listen for business owners, coaches, and consultants who want to fund their vision without chasing money that doesn’t align.

🌟 What You’ll Learn
- The first three steps to take before you even open a Word doc
- What “grant readiness” actually looks like for your business
- Why for-profit businesses can qualify for grants—and where to find them
- The key components of a compelling grant narrative (and what funders really care about)
- How to avoid budget mistakes that could disqualify your proposal
- What to do after a rejection and how to come back stronger next round

🎙 Meet Our Guest: Hazel Blake Parker, MS, CFLE
Hazel Parker is the CEO of The Parker Institute for Excellence LLC, a consulting firm specializing in management consulting, family life education, professional development, and nonprofit strategy. She also serves as President and co-owner of Global Center for Creative Learning LLC.

A lifelong educator and strategist, Hazel brings more than three decades of experience in training delivery, grant consulting, and organizational development. She holds a BS in Counselor Education, an MS in Individual and Family Development, and national certification as a Family Life Educator. She’s also certified in MBTI, diversity training, grant writing, and as a Master Trainer in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).

Hazel is known for her clarity, candor, and commitment to helping organizations build internal capacity so they can stop relying on outsourcing—and start thriving with systems.

📞 Connect with Hazel
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone] (Text first for best response)

💬 Memorable Quotes
“Don’t chase money. The grant should fit your mission as-is.”
“Funders want a clear, compelling story—not random details.”
“If you’re not grant ready, a short deadline will expose that fast.”
“Your budget needs to tell the same story as your proposal.”
“You don’t need to pay a writer every time. Build your internal capacity.”

⏳ Episode Highlights
-The three traits of a grant-ready business
-How to find grants specifically for for-profits
-Why you need a “boilerplate” grant package before the deadline

Stay Connected with Dr. Raymona

• Founder/CEO, The Systems Boutique

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