“I’m passionate about helping people improve their grant writing skills and success rate.”
Prue Saxby, CEO of Indigo Gold and Founder of the Grant Writing Academy has over 15 years of experience and has mastered the art of crafting successful grant applications, securing an astounding $50.8 million for her clients in the past six years alone.
Prue’s journey in grant writing began in 2005, and since then, she has honed her craft across diverse sectors such as health, social services, mining, government, tourism, and more. Her extensive background, which includes working with local and state government agencies, has equipped her with invaluable insights into the intricacies of grant processes.
Prue helps grant writers who want to banish overwhelm and procrastination. With the support and a proven process, Prue and her team develop high-quality grant applications that get in the ‘yes’ pile.
Prue started her business, Indigo Gold, to gain autonomy and establish a flexible work environment. With a diverse background spanning various industries and regions across Australia, Prue had a passion for making a difference in local communities and assisting clients in enhancing their businesses. Being a wordsmith and her experience in graphic design, printing, and desktop publishing, she decided to focus on creating a range of business documents for her clients.
While working in local and state government roles, Prue gained knowledge of the grant processes, leading to numerous successful grant applications. Recognising her expertise in this area, Prue decided to niche down and establish the Grant Writing Academy in 2020, aiming to share her knowledge and empower others to succeed in securing grants.
In a world where overwhelm and procrastination often hinder progress, Prue stands as a beacon of support and guidance for grant writers. Through the Grant Writing Academy and Indigo Gold, Prue offers a comprehensive suite of services, including membership, courses, workshops, and one-on-one grant sessions! Her mission is clear: to empower grant writers with the skills and knowledge they need to develop high-quality applications that catch the eye of funders.
Prue’s Grant Writing Academy Membership provides members with access to a structured “Success Path” framework. Included in the membership are live tutorials, grant updates, monthly Q&A sessions, a resource library, and two bonuses, including an exclusive 1-on-1 session.
Outside of grant writing, Prue is a dedicated volunteer and community advocate, recognised for her contributions to various causes. Her passion for giving back is matched by her love for movies, reading, travel, and spending time with her family.
Prue has been a part of the HerBusiness world for many years – as a Network Member, in our Marketing Success Mastermind, and has attended our REACH Retreat in Hawaii – and says: “The HerBusiness Network helps with the loneliness of working in a regional area. It allows me to learn from others who are more successful.”
Who’s your favourite entrepreneur and why?
I’m not a ‘favourites’ person; instead I get inspiration from lots of entrepreneurs. I read prolifically and piece together the insights, tips and learnings that I can adapt for my business. I’m all about innovation, having happy clients, and making my processes easier and efficient. So I soak up anything about time management, new ideas, and an increased customer experience.
Why did you start your business and what gave you the idea?
I started my company, Indigo Gold Pty Ltd, because I wanted to be my own boss and needed a flexible work environment.
Throughout my career I had worked in many industries and in various locations in regional, rural and remote Australia. I enjoyed making a difference in the communities where I lived and helping clients to improve their businesses. Being a bit of a wordsmith and having graphic design, printing, and desktop publishing experience, I decided to focus on creating a range of business documents for clients.
While working for many years for local and state government, I had learned a lot about how grants worked. This turned into many successes with grants and in 2020 I niched and created the Grant Writing Academy.
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
Running my own business gives me flexibility and a creative platform to make my own decisions. I’ve developed a model that allows me to work from anywhere.
What three pieces of advice do you wish you’d been given when you started?
- Niche as early as possible.
- Develop a database of contacts as early as you can and continue to grow and nurture it.
- Find someone who has extensive hands-on business experience, in a similar industry, and learn as much as you can from them.
What advice would YOU give someone thinking about starting a business?
- It takes a lot of passion and dedication so it isn’t for everyone.
- When things don’t go as you expect, move on quickly and use the experience to continually adapt, improve and innovate.
- Be true to your values, embrace your uniqueness and be bolder than you think you should be.
What skills and knowledge areas would you recommend those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly?
- Develop templates and repeatable processes so you can be as efficient as possible.
- Budgeting and book-keeping, especially understanding the cost of goods (or services) sold, with an emphasis on profit.
- Time management and being organised.
What does your IDEAL business look like? Even if you’re not there yet, what would it look like if your business was ideal?
It is one where I:
- Can teach people how to create high quality grants
- Have a team of grant writers helping clients who don’t want to write grant themselves
- Can work from anywhere
- Enjoy flexibility and continue to scale
- Have expanded so much that I am known around Australia as the Grant Master.
What problem does being a Member of the HerBusiness Network solve for you and your business? And, how?
It helps with the loneliness of working in a regional area. It allows me to learn from others who are more successful.
Learn more about Prue and Indigo Gold + Grant Writing Academy.
