We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jessica Wright a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

My parents were undoubtedly hardworking people. They met, fell in love and align their ideals and practices to raise a family. They weren’t huge risk takers in life but they get on themselves and what their partnership could accomplish. They were people of their word and everyone around them knew it. They worked well with others. Those examples let me know how I could connect with others. Being consistent and integral are invaluable qualities that any team needs.. It also makes people centered business “easy” when those options are at the forefront. My parents were my first examples of integrity. They got it right.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I got into grant writing because I saw a consistent need for not only assistance with the arduous process of grant applications. I also saw that capacity building was desperately with most small businesses. Most businesses “need” the money. But capacity building is preparation to be a sustainable business long term.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Last year when I lost my father my world was turned upside down. Not only did I feel immense pain and grief but I also still had a business to run. The key to surviving an unbearable time was to give myself grace. The grace to be imperfect, to be frustrated with my circumstances and to just be sad was what I needed. And others (clients, business partners, etc) extended the same grace. I was not negligent but I wasn’t perfect. I communicated consistently and was honest about where I was. The reads his could be accomplished is because I had shown my clientele , business community the same grace. We must leave room for life to happen. Not just for others but for ourselves. Honest communication showed my community how to support me in my time of need.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Shonda Rhimes is on my Mount Rushmore! She’s an extremely successful writer and creator of countless staples in culture for the likes of ABC and Netflix. She’s a mentor (in my head) because she constantly challenges herself while staying to what speaks to her. It just so happens that most of the world connects with her work. It turns out her personal stories and views are universal.

Five years ago when I was filled with anxiety and fear about moving from the only place I’d ever lived (California) and making the big leap to be and Georgia Peach I felt myself becoming paralyzed. I was frozen with fear. I didnt know if “yes” to changing my entire life was the scariest thing to do.

Sitting in a car on a side street in Berkeley, Ca one morning I sat and listened to Shonda’s book “The Year of Yes”. I listened for about 4 hours without moving. She delved into personal fears. Neglecting one aspiration to achieve another and taking huge risks that meant betting on herself to achieve happiness even if it www temporary.

What I discovered from listening to the audiobook was that I had been telling myself “no” and calling it discipline and wisdom when it was really fear. Is this an abyss that sometimes catches my foot and tries to suck me in even til this day? Yes! But I’m making it my goal to surround myself with community that will be honest with me but will also see the good in me. Will fight me for my “yes” even when I deny myself.