Brianna Grant, Balanced Steps

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Name: Brianna K. Grant

Hometown: As an Air Force brat, I lived a number of different places, so I consider myself “from-less”

Current Residence (City, State): Duvall, WA

Education: Bachelor’s in Art/Art History from The University of Georgia, Master’s of Art in Teaching from Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina

Professional Background (brief, please): Three years teaching elementary school, freelance writer for local newspaper

What you wanted to be when you grew up: physical therapist or a writer

What you are: Mother, Author & Business woman

Brief Summary of your Start Up: After two years of trying to get my book published by a big publishing house, I decided to publish it myself because my message is too important to keep from the world. I partnered with my mom, a master teacher, administrator and savvy business woman to create Balanced Steps, LLC. We decided that We Are Girls Who Love to Run would be our first book and the launch of the business, but that we will also provide educational consulting and workshops for educators/afterschool providers to nurture hands-on/minds-on math and science learning experiences as regular elements in the elementary classroom. In conjunction with the book (and future titles!), we offer interactive goal-setting workshops for students.

Company Website? www.balancedsteps.com

What inspired you? My parents raised me to be aware of the needs in my community and to incorporate outreach and encouragement for others into my life’s mission. My time in the classroom taught me that children need encouragement from as many sources as we can provide, and introduced me to the phenomenal program for girls and self-esteem building, Girls on the Run (www.girlsontherun.org). We Are Girls Who Love to Run was inspired by the participants of the program and its founder, Molly Barker.

How long have you been in business? Nearly one full year!

How did you fund it? I am blessed to have a generous husband with a solid career that provides for our family and parents who have always supported me in my steps toward my dreams. The four of us pooled our resources to make this business a reality. Hopefully we’ll be able to recoop the funds and make profit so the business can finance second book and also curriculum materials that my mom and I co-author.

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? Stacey Kannenberg

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? We belong to our local Chamber of Commerce and I’ve recently joined the on-line networking group Biznik.

Current Business Challenge? Finding enough time in the day to accomplish everything while being a good mom to my two children and a supportive wife for my husband and his aspirations. Oh, and prioritizing my tasks is another challenge – it seems like everything should have been accomplished yesterday, when in fact I might get to deal with it tomorrow!

What are you doing about it? Taking things one step and task at a time and having faith that the efforts I’m putting forth are positive steps that will get me to my goal. Also, remembering that by continuing on my path will have a positive impact on young girls and their path to healthy lifestyles.

Family? An amazingly supportive husband, a three year-old son and a 9 month-old daughter.

If so, how do you balance family and business? I work during nap times and after the kids go to bed. We did recently relocate my computer so I can keep my eye on time sensitive issues as they arise without leaving the play area where my kids are happily engaged.

Favorite book? Under the Tuscan Sun by Francis Mayes

What do you do to relax? Run, yoga, quilt, read (though these things currently don’t happen as frequently as I’d like!)

What do you want to change most about your world? I’d like for others to recognize their own strengths and nurture the strengths they see in others. Our world is filled with negativity that we can all live without. By identifying the good in ourselves and others we can start to change the attitudes of the media and our communities. This is one of the reasons I write articles for The River Current News when I have the time – it is our local newspaper and the editor refuses to publish negative news.

What are you most proud of? I’m most proud that I’m sticking to my beliefs and working with my mom to publish my book.

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Surround yourself with like-minded people and look yourself in the eye each day and say “I can do this! I am doing this! I am good at this!”

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? A smile and a handshake, whether it be face-to-face or through email (I’m a firm believer that you can convey a smile and a positive attitude through word choice, even in email!).

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Rubies and garnet

Would you be interested in being a Fairy Godmother to another woman entrepreneur? To the best of my ability!

What business subjects would you feel comfortable mentoring in? self-publishing children’s books, hiring an illustrator

Would you be interested in going to lunch with other women entrepreneurs for a “networking tea party”? Sure

Would you be willing to be a facilitator of such an event? I’d like to be more of a “go-to gal” to accomplish one specific element of an event.

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