The Fear Never Fully Goes Away, Even After Six Figures (What 12 Years in Business Taught Me)

The Fear Never Fully Goes Away, Even After Six Figures (What 12 Years in Business Taught Me)

From Grant Writing & Funding by Holly Rustick

June 19, 2026 · 37 min

About this episode

Holly Rustick shares her personal journey and insights on overcoming fear in building a successful freelance grant writing business.

What if the thing standing between you and a thriving freelance grant writing business isn't lack of experience, but fear? In this deeply personal bonus episode, Holly Rustick pulls back the curtain on her 21-year journey from teaching overseas and volunteering in post-tsunami Indonesia to building a successful freelance grant writing business that provides both financial freedom and meaningful impact. Along the way, she shares the struggles most people never see: living paycheck-to-paycheck, being a single mom on WIC, battling burnout, undercharging clients, and questioning whether she was capable of building something of her own. If you've ever thought: "I don't have enough experience." "Who would hire me?" "I'm not good at sales." "What if I fail?" "Maybe I'm not cut out for entrepreneurship." This episode is for you. Holly shares the pivotal moments that changed everything; including the realization that success didn't come from becoming a better grant writer. It came from learning business skills, pricing, sales, confidence, and how to stop playing small. Whether you're brand new to grant writing or a seasoned grant professional considering freelancing, you'll walk away…

People in this episode

Host: Holly Rustick

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Places: Indonesia

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