Today we’d like to introduce you to Maxine Henderson.
Hi, Maxine; we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Maxine Henderson. The proud owner of the Lavish Business Experience, formerly CMLC, is an experienced Business and Grant Consultant with over 3 years of experience in grant writing and securing funding for nonprofits, educational institutions, and research projects.
I started my journey as an entrepreneur in 2016 without experience. I researched everything on my own. I created my website, email, and social media accounts. Boy, was I wrong? Lol. I didn’t thoroughly structure my business correctly until 2018. In 2021, I developed a passion for helping other entrepreneurs grow their businesses, so I began my mentorship program. I mentored over 20 women and helped them improve in areas of struggle in entrepreneurship. I was successfully able to transition into a full-time entrepreneur that same year. In 2021, God led me to business grants. I began researching and eventually started applying for my own grants. When I announced that I had won my first Grant, other entrepreneurs asked me to write for them. After my first year, I only won 1 grant. I was missing something and invested in a few classes with experienced grant writers. My favorite is Timothy Moore. He showed me what I was missing, and I have been running ever since. In 2 years, I have won over $650,000 in grants for my clients. Now, I instruct others to write grants. God is an essential part of my business. I would have made it this far with him.
My mission is to help entrepreneurs grasp the significance of an operating system in business development. Many entrepreneurs are familiar with the ‘hustle mentality.’ Still, they often face rejections when securing funding like grants or building business credit due to a weak business foundation. My aim is to educate entrepreneurs about grants before selling them a dream. Grants may be technically free money, but there are key elements necessary for a successful grant-writing process. I take a distinct approach to grant writing, focusing on education, Preparation, and then writing. To date, I’ve served entrepreneurs in over 30 states across the US. My passion lies in empowering entrepreneurs to win business grants on their own. It may sound unbelievable, but I firmly believe that if someone is determined enough, they can learn and achieve. I launched ‘Grant Writing The Lavish Way,’ a series of ebooks and digital courses that have proven to be invaluable resources for aspiring small business owners. These resources help them understand the importance of grants and how to effectively manage their businesses and finances. I’ve also created a series of ebooks specifically designed to guide entrepreneurial readers in securing grants in the for-profit sector. Looking ahead to 2024, I plan to contribute to industry publications and speak at conferences, sharing my insights and advocating for effective, ethical grant-writing practices. My ultimate goal is to be a voice that encourages, educates, and mentors other entrepreneurs.
I am currently Pursuing a Bachelor’s in Business Administration degree in Management. I have a deep understanding of the intricacies of grant writing, including federal, state, and private funding sources. My expertise spans various sectors, including STEM education, K-12 education, healthcare, nonprofit organizations, and mental health services.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My road has been a little difficult. I was diagnosed with Asthma and Chronic Bronchitis at the peak of Covid in July 2020. Unsure of how to control it and still learning my triggers, I caught Covid November 2020. Recovery was hard, but GOD. I was unable to work for 2 months after Covid. I never fully recovered but went back to work. I have been a Pharmacy Technician since 2016, so the job I was working was the highest-paying job I’ve ever held as a Technician. During a flare-up in May 2021, I was fired from my job while on a doctor’s order leave. The year before that, I prayed to make enough money to be a full-time entrepreneur, so that was my chance when that happened. I did well in my first year, but unfortunately, I wasn’t the best at managing money, so I had to step back into the workforce (unashamed). Pharmacy will forever be my backup plan because you never know.
Testimony:
In March 2023, I caught Covid for the second time, but this time, I was so tired of dealing with Asthma that I started praying for healing. In April 2023, I went to a conference with a friend, and they asked if there was anything I wanted to be healed from. I went to the Altar and prayed for healing. After that day, I stopped saying, “I have Asthma.” Not realizing the power of my words, months went by, and I realized that I had not needed a breathing treatment nor any pumps in the middle of the Summer when that was one of the worst times for me. I have been a witness to entrepreneurs. I always use my story to encourage them because if that “illness” didn’t stop me from being successful and still accomplishing my goals, then it shouldn’t stop me.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Lavish Business Experience, formerly CMLC, is an experienced Business and Grant Consulting brand with over 3 years of experience in grant writing and securing funding for nonprofits, educational institutions, and research projects. I aim to help entrepreneurs understand the importance of an operating system in business development. Some entrepreneurs only know the “hustle mentality” that when it’s time to receive funding like grants or build business credit, they get denied because of a poor business foundation. I want to educate entrepreneurs on grants before trying to sell them a dream. Yes, grants are technically free money, but there are things that they need to be successful in the grant-writing process. I take a different approach to Grant writing. I educate, Prepare, and then write. I have serviced over 30 states out of 50 in US states. When I began writing grants for others, I was amazed at how many businesses were not adequately structured, so I started offering what I call “Grant Readiness’ packages. The Grant Readiness Package is a service where I structure the entire business from scratch to make the business eligible to apply for business grants. I offer consultations for new clients so that they can understand how the whole process works.
I am most proud and passionate about helping entrepreneurs understand they can win business grants independently. Crazy right?! Not to me. I could easily sell dreams and take all the credit, but I don’t want to do that. I believe that if someone wants it bad enough, they will learn. I launched “Grant Writing The Lavish Way,” a series of E-books and digital courses that have become an excellent resource for aspiring small business owners who need to understand the importance of grants and how to manage their businesses and finances properly. I created a series of e-books to help entrepreneurial readers understand how to secure grants in the for-profit sector. In 2024, I want to contribute to industry publications and speak at conferences, sharing my insights and advocating for effective, ethical grant-writing practices.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
The best advice I could give someone about finding a mentor is to do your research. Don’t make your decision based on popularity. Get to know them off of social media (if that is an option). Networking can change the level of your business. I have met some great entrepreneurs by networking. Networking will catapult your business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thelavishbusinessexp.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lavishbusinessexp/
Image Credits
Flyers and Banner were created by Mahiya Designs.
