Meet Kimberly Sellars-Bates | Grant Writing & Research Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kimberly Sellars-Bates and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimberly, how do you think about risk?

I have always lived my life in a conservative comfort zone. I rarely took risks and when I did, they were minimal. It took me almost a year to hire my first employee after I started my company. Instead, I was trying to do everything myself because I was scared to spend extra money. I was hesitant to hire another person because I was not sure if they would have my best interest at heart.

By trying to do everything myself, I was not operating efficiently at all. Among the most important was that I was not invoicing clients in a timely manner. Sometimes I would go 3 months without sending out an invoice. Everyday I was getting further and further behind. One of the reasons I finally hired someone was out of fear that the IRS would come after me because I was such a mess at accounting. Hindsight, I regret that I was not willing to take the risk the hire people were experts in their field. Instead, I wasted time that I can never get back trying to do everything myself.

I only started taking real risks about 5 years ago. By doing so I realized that sometimes you win and sometimes you learn.

Case in point. Only a handful of people know that I sold the KSTB Scholarship Division a couple of years ago. My goal was to work with students to ensure that they had enough money for tuition and housing to pursue a higher education in 2- or 4- year colleges. KSTB’s comprehensive database consists of grants for nonprofits and companies and adding scholarships for students seemed like a logical addition to our services.

Unfortunately, it ended up being a money pit. After a year of constantly losing money, I decided to sell it. The scholarship experience did not have the effect on me I thought it would. Instead of being scared to add more services and employees, I examined why my “risk” had failed. The simple truth was that people were not willing to pay for scholarship resources at that time. I was disappointed because I was, and still am passionate about youth and adults getting an education. I also did not want to have to let go of any of my employees. Therefore, I took a risk and placed them in another department. Thankfully, they are still with me today.

I look back on the scholarship experience and realize that I did the right thing. If I had held on to that division, I probably would not be operating in the black right now.

By the same token, I have taken risks and added services that have proven to be great business decisions.

As an entrepreneur my goals are high. I no longer entertain ordinary ones. The scholarship experience taught me to embrace change. I realized that successful entrepreneurship involved taking risks and if I did not embrace risk-taking, I may need to rethink being a business owner. By the same token, I do not make hasty decisions. Any risk that I take for KSTB involves being focused, committed, and vigilant to my company’s vision. When I am in a place of where I need to make major business decisions, I go to my special place where I am inspired and at peace with my thoughts. My special place is the deck in my backyard. It is my place of peace and solace. It is the place where I can actually be quiet with no distractions in my mind, body or spirit. It is the place where I make space in my head to LISTEN and receive.

Being still has always been really hard for me. I have actually had to teach myself to be quiet and listen to that “still small voice”. It was not until I learned to be quiet that I started coming up with viable solutions to both personal and business challenges. In turn, I have been able to make informed and better decisions.

Taking risks can definitely lead to success— as long as you are taking the right risks. It is important to examine both the pros and cons and considering and understanding if the risk will ultimately get you ahead.

I added services and hired 2 new employees in the middle of the pandemic. A risk? Yes, but it was needed to continue the company’s upward trajectory. KSTB’s current and prospective clients immediately saw the value in the new services and adjusted their contracts to include them. The services have already paid for themselves.
I have learned that if my competitors are not taking the same risks I intend to, then I am already running the chance for greater success. However, there is a difference between taking a risk when the odds are against you versus risking with better odds in your favor. Taking calculated risks that are well thought out and where the benefits outweigh the negatives are exactly the type of risks that will lead to your success..

-Kimberly

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

I am a native Atlantan and a product of the Atlanta Public and Fulton County school systems. I attended Alabama State University where I was an active student in the band, clubs, radio station and social and civic organizations.

Upon graduating from ASU with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, I returned to my hometown and began working at a College. While there, I was introduced to the world of Resource Development. I worked full time but soon began getting requests from individuals and organizations to establish them as a nonprofit and secure grants. After discussing my next move with my husband, together, we decided that I should try working for myself. Although I was terrified of not receiving a steady paycheck on the 15th and 30th of the month, I founded KSTB Enterprises in 2007. KSTB has grown tremendously from her humble beginnings at my dining room table. The firm now has offices in four states and is currently responsible for over $20 million in grants and contracts. KSTB has a 100% success rate in securing nonprofit status and an 85% grant funding success rate for 2020.

KSTB provides consulting services and conducts seminars, trainings and nonprofit coaching all over the United States. The most challenging part of being a business owner has been “getting out of my own way.” I tried to do everything myself for fear of spending too much money. After I realized that I did NOT know everything, I hired my first employee. Things were so much better when she came on board. She handled phone calls and invoicing for me.

I want the world to know that we are extremely passionate about our client’s success. When they win, we all do. Getting funded or building a sustainable operation can be challenging and expensive. What makes us stand out is that we offer a customized service model that allows our clients to pick which services they need to fit their budget and timeline. Whether your budget is $50,000 or $1,000,000, we treat all of our clients the same.

We also provide personal service. Clients and potential clients are happy that we actually answer the phone when they call. Clients also find it interesting that sometimes when they call, I answer the phone instead of my assistant. I can also be found dusting or emptying trash. I am not above doing anything that my employees do.

KSTB is proud to offer our clients the following services: Starting A 501c3 • 3 Different Options • 501c3 Review • 501c3 Reinstatement Non-Profit Coaching • You have your 501c3 now what? (5 week or 2 day) • Research and Grant Writing Classes (5 week or 2 day) • 40 hours/month (Management Team and Board) • 30 hours/month (Management Team and Board) • 20 hours/month (Management Team and Board Research & Grant Writing • Prospect Research • Grant Writing • Monthly Fees Individual And Team Nonprofit Coaching More Services • Incorporation Bundle • Incorporation • Bylaws • Conflict of Interest Policy • Distribution List of Foundations • Dun & Bradstreet • SAM Registration • Federal Proposal • Certifications

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Some of my favorite things to do include-

Sunday Brunch- Commerce Club; Dinner- Season’s 52; AU Center Tour; Civil Rights Museum; Sips and Strokes; Escape Room; Cigar Bar; Live Music; Shopping malls; partying at Grown Folk

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Larlie “Bigster” Thomas (Grandmother); TaDarol Bates (Husband); Taylor and TaDarol Bates, II (Children); Stephanie Willis (Soror and friend); Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Margaret Fain Elementary School; and Alabama State University, and The KSTB TEAM!

Website: www.kstbenterprises.com
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