After securing over $17 million in grants for clients, Linda Peavy has built a grant writing academy with over 3,000 students where she teaches women and minority-led organizations how to win grants. Also a curvy fashion influencer, she inspires women over 50 who want to show up as the best version of themselves every day through her award-winning book and workshops.
“Focus will be your biggest friend. The longer you contemplate too many ideas, the further away success will seem.” – Linda Peavy
Takeaways:
- I realized that grant writing was a high-demand field. I also realized that many non-profits did not have the capacity to write grants. Most small businesses did not know grants were available to them. To teach grant writing to clients would be more beneficial to them in learning the skill and more financially lucrative for me because I would have thousands and not just dozens of clients.
- In wanting to serve more clients, I knew that I should provide free grant writing webinars as well so those who could not afford my resources would still have the opportunity to learn grant writing.
Linda Peavy, Founder of LiPav Consulting
Can you share your inspiring story in your words?
After finishing graduate school, I served as a traditional publishing house’s Associate Publisher and Director of Marketing. During my tenure, I became the first African American woman to lead a denominational publisher in its 400+ year history. In 2006, I left my executive publishing position due to an injury and returned to Ohio in a wheelchair, unable to stand. It took me 2 years to recuperate. I looked for work, but none was available. Because Cleveland is not the mecca of the publishing world, despite years of experience, available jobs were difficult. Out of sheer necessity, I started LiPav Consulting, LLC in 2008. I pivoted my skills from marketing to grant writing after becoming the interim Executive Director of an arts organization. I realized there was a great demand for grant writers and focused on that industry. After a few years, I had secured over $17 million in grants for my clients.
In 2022, I decided to pivot my company. I knew that the best way to serve more clients was to teach them the art of grant writing. In other words, “Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day. Teach a man how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” LiPav Consulting teaches grant writing through an online course, Grant Writing for Non-Writers: Keys to Winning Grant Proposals, and other products. Lipav offers customized grant proposal writing classes and in-person and remote presentations to for-profit and non-profit organizations. The company provides grant writing resources to women-led organizations and black-own companies. The grant writing academy now serves 3,000 students, and I doubled my income from 2022 to 2023, receiving a financial achievement award.
I am also a mature style influencer and the founder of Cultured Curves: Sophisticated Style, Fashion, and Beauty for Curvy Women over 50 blog and platform. Cultured Curves has been named “One of the best blogs on the planet for women over 50.” by Feedspot. Through my social media platforms and e-newsletters, I have over 35,000 followers. I provide body positivity workshops internationally and have spoken to crowds of women from New Jersey to St. Martin. My written contributions can be found in several media forms, most recently on Todayshow.com, where I am considered a mature, curvy style expert. My first-of-its-kind book was released in February 2024, entitled The Cultured Curves Guide to Style for Mature Curvy Women. The book is a roadmap to developing an effortless style for mature women, including tips and suggestions on fashion, make-up, and skincare. The book debuted in the middle of Times Square and became an Amazon top new release. Find it at culturedcurves.com.
How did you market your business when it was brand new?
I relied upon organizations to become clients, for which I had built a reputation. My first client was my old employer, the publishing house. I asked them to refer me to other organizations that needed similar support. Never burn bridges, if at all possible.
I have contributed to my local community by providing free grant-writing webinars. I have volunteered and offered free grant writing webinars for the Urban League, Council of Smaller Enterprises, Womens Business Council, ECDI, library systems, Jumpstart, and more. I have registered over 60,000 organizations to attend my free webinars. I have taught grant writing skills to over 25,000 black and women-led organizations free of charge, which has resulted in them receiving hundreds of thousands in funding. Knowledge is power.
How do you prioritize self-care and well-being while managing the demands of your business?
Self-care is not selfish. Each and every day, I try to indulge in something that brings me joy, whether it is a few minutes on social media, watching a fun show, or trying out make-up brands.
What would you consider your biggest accomplishment and why?
- You are never too old to accomplish your dreams. Linda Peavy of LiPav Consulting and Cultured Curves accomplished the following only after she turned 60:
- She published her first book
- Became an award-winning writer
- Became the fashion editor of a magazine.
- Accomplished all-time sales in her business.
- Became a W-2 employee of her own business
- Gave over 400 live grant writing webinars
- Created a successful grant writing academy with over 3,000 students.
- Established new partnerships with other organizations.
- Become an international sought-after speaker on body positivity.
Can you share some of the most important lessons you’ve learned from your successes and failures in business?
However, every step you take must start with the idea that you can achieve it. You will need to overcome the noises around you, the naysayers, and the doubt within. If you think you are too old, then you are. If you think you are too fat, you are. You are what you believe.
What initiatives or actions do you believe are crucial for fostering a more supportive and inclusive business environment for women?
- Mentoring
- Access to capital
What advice would you give to a new business owner? Or to your younger self?
- Use your knowledge or passion to help solve a problem.
- Find the one target population that you can help.
- Determine how to get your resource in front of as many eyes as possible.
- Build partnerships early. Don’t try to go it alone, ever. Use volunteers and interns if needed.
- Keep great credit.
How do you set your business apart from others in your industry?
I am one of the few black-and-woman grant services companies in the United States. Additionally, at the age of 61 years old, instead of heading toward retirement, I am continuing to create new resources to service my clients. We specialize in providing grant writing resources to women-led organizations and black-owned companies. We offer resources that assist both non-profit and for-profit entities, including our best-selling course, Grant Writing for Non-Writers: Keys to Winning Grant Proposals. Adequate capital and access to funding remain an issue for minority businesses and non-profits. Most companies are still unaware of the availability of grants and how to write them; therefore, I constantly educate them. With my nickname of the Grants Queen, I show up and remain accessible to my clients and grant writing students.
What are the three most important habits to be a successful high performer or leader?
- Knowing when to delegate to focus on planning and strategizing.
- Never being the smartest person in your tribe.
- Hiring the right team.
What social media platform is the best for business growth and why?
It depends. Most of my income is from Facebook for my course purchases. However, LinkedIn will be pursued as I move into partnerships, presentations, licensing, and major teaching opportunities.
What are three websites or podcasts you can’t imagine your day without? Why those three?
TikTok
Which female leader do you admire, and why?
Kamala Harris – grace under fire.
Do you have a favorite quote or motto that inspires you?
“Never let mediocrity be your measuring tool.” –Linda Peavy
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Melissa Stewart is the founder of SheOwnsIt.com. She is a Purveyor of Possibility, Entrepreneur Advocate and Coffee Addict. She believes that behind every successful woman is her story. What’s your story?