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

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/grant-writing-funding-326935/the-fear-never-fully-goes-away-even-after-six-figures-what-12-years-in-business-taught-me
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/grant-writing-funding-326935/the-fear-never-fully-goes-away-even-after-six-figures-what-12-years-in-business-taught-me.md
Podcast: [Grant Writing & Funding](https://stenobird.com/podcast/grant-writing-funding-326935)
Published: 2026-06-19T08:24:11+00:00
Episode link: https://grantwriting-podcast.com/episodes/the-fear-never-fully-goes-away-even-after-six-figures-what-12-years-in-business-taught-me
Audio file: https://media.transistor.fm/8449aac2/a5cf4a89.mp3
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Duration seconds: 2211

## Resource

Freelance Grant Writer Summit | Free, 2-Day Summit October 13th–14th Learn how to find better-fit clients, confidently price your services, and build consistent freelance income through live trainings, panels, and coaching. Save your free seat: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-summit 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 inspired, encouraged, and reminded that every successful business owner started exactly where you are now. This is the real story behind the business, and proof that you don't need to have it all figured out before you begin. Episode Gems 💎 Fear doesn't disappear when you become successful. Even six-figure busi…

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## Transcript

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