Stonerock Business Solutions

08/26/2025

Big decisions can feel impossible.
That moment when your chest tightens, your mind races, and no option feels “right.”

But here’s the truth: clarity doesn’t come from waiting for the fear to disappear. It comes from learning how to approach hard choices in a way that feels grounded, confident, and forward-moving.

We just published a new blog on how to make tough decisions easier (and actually feel good about them).

Read it here: https://stonerockmt.com/big-decisions

What’s one decision you once hesitated to make… that ended up changing your life for the better?

Think about a time in your life when you were scared to make a choice - maybe leaving a job, starting something new, or saying yes to an opportunity that felt “too big.” At the time, it probably felt risky. But looking back, it likely taught you something or opened a door you didn’t see coming...

08/25/2025

We often get stuck in decision-making because we want a guarantee. We want proof that if we choose this job, that relationship, or this opportunity will work out exactly as we hope.

But here’s the reality: certainty doesn’t exist. Waiting for it will keep you standing still.

What makes decisions easier is not predicting the outcome, but shifting the question:

Instead of asking, “What if I choose wrong?” ask, “What choice brings me closer to the life I want to live?”

Decisions become lighter when you:
Stop overthinking and focus on the next right step.
Measure against your long-term values, not your short-term fears.
Remember that inaction is still a choice, and often the costliest one.

The truth is, clarity comes from movement. You learn more by stepping forward than by waiting on the sidelines.

What’s one decision you were afraid to make, but it ended up changing your life for the better?
Drop your story below, we’d love to hear it.

08/19/2025

Ready to Finally Write a Grant You Feel Confident About?

If you know what grants are but aren’t quite sure how to actually write one, our Intermediate Workbook: Are You Ready for Grant Writing Success? is your next step.

This workbook is a step-by-step guide to the real-world prep work of grant writing: gathering the right documents, mapping out your project, and telling your story in a way that funders will notice.

Inside, you’ll find:
Checklists and real-world examples
A Grant Writing Canvas and templates you can use right away
Video walkthroughs to guide you visually and practically
A practice mini-grant application to help you put it all together

By the end, you won’t just know about grants—you’ll have the tools to actually write one.

Price: $57
Get your copy today: https://stonerock.kit.com/products/are-you-ready-for-grant-writing-success

08/19/2025

Fresh insights are up on our blog: How to Build a Stronger Community Around Your Business or Nonprofit

Your community isn’t just an audience—it’s the heartbeat that fuels your mission. Whether you’re running a business or a nonprofit, the strength of your community determines your growth, your impact, and your sustainability.

In this blog, we break down:
Why storytelling matters
How to create real conversations
The role of trust & consistency
Why appreciation turns supporters into lifelong advocates

Building a community doesn’t happen overnight—but with intention, it’s one of the most powerful investments you can make.

Read the full post here: https://stonerockmt.com/stronger-community
Please repost to share with your network!

A strong community can be one of your greatest assets, helping you create deeper connections, increase loyalty, and amplify your impact. But how do you move beyond transactions and into real, lasting community building?

08/18/2025

Clarity. Strategy. Confidence.

Sometimes, all it takes is a focused session to move from “stuck” to “strategic.” That’s where a Strategy Session with Amanda Stonerock comes in.

In just under 2 hours, we’ll dive into the challenges holding your nonprofit or business back and create an actionable plan. Topics we can tackle include:

Fundraising and development planning
Grant writing strategies
Strategic planning and goal setting
Leadership and board support
Business growth and process improvement
Problem-solving for organizational hurdles

Sessions are $200 — an investment in clarity, confidence, and direction.

Ready to move forward? Let’s schedule your session today: https://stonerockmt.com/strategy

08/15/2025

Emotional Intelligence: The Quiet Powerhouse Behind Workplace Success

Being the smartest person in the room isn’t enough anymore. If you can’t work well with others, your career—and your team—will hit a ceiling fast. That’s why Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the skill everyone needs at work.

EQ is your ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions—yours and others’. It’s reading the room before you speak, keeping your cool under pressure, and knowing when to push and when to pause.

Here are 3 simple ways to start boosting your EQ at work today:
- Pause before reacting – Give yourself a moment to respond thoughtfully, not emotionally. It prevents conflict and builds respect.
- Listen to understand – Focus fully on what others are saying, not on your reply. Active listening strengthens collaboration and trust.
- Get curious about perspectives – Even if you don’t agree, understanding someone else’s point of view changes how you interact.

Practicing these habits consistently improves relationships, communication, and workplace outcomes—for leaders and team members alike.

Check out our latest blog post - Emotional Intelligence in the Professional World & Why It Matters: https://stonerockmt.com/emotional-intelligence

08/13/2025

The SBS 2025 Mini Grants
$1,000 + 1 Free Consulting Session

Big ideas deserve real support! And that’s exactly what these mini grants are for.

We’re awarding three $1,000 mini grants—each paired with a free consulting session—to support nonprofits, startups, and small businesses doing meaningful work in their communities.

Just 5 short questions
Brief answers (no fluff, no essays)
Deadline to apply: August 31

Whether you’re in the early stages or scaling something powerful, this is a chance to get both funding and strategic support.

Choose the category that fits and apply here: https://stonerockmt.com/grantapp

We see the effort you’re putting in, and we want to help move it forward.

08/13/2025

A few times a year, we clear space on our calendar for new partnerships — and this is one of those times.

Right now, we can take on 2–3 new clients who are ready to stop spinning their wheels and actually move forward.

Here’s how we can help:
Grant & RFP Writing – from full proposals to quality reviews and letters of interest

Strategic Planning – comprehensive reviews, proforma development, and targeted fund development strategies

Small Business Development – funding strategies, fiscal sponsorship, and streamlined processes for growth

Nonprofit Development – filings, bylaws, policies, or guidance toward fiscal sponsorship

Board Development – training, recruitment, and onboarding for high-performing boards

Project Management – hands-on management, billing, and reporting for grants, contracts, and new ventures

Over the years, we’ve:
Helped organizations secure millions in funding
Built strategies that actually get used (not just sit in a binder)
Turned “good ideas” into fully functioning programs and businesses

If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to get help… this might be it.

Contact us at: https://stonerockmt.com/

If you know a nonprofit, startup, or small business that could use this kind of support, please share or repost — it might be exactly the boost they’ve been looking for.

08/12/2025

It’s not just what you know, it’s how you handle what you feel at work.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the secret ingredient driving real success in today’s professional world. From building stronger teams to navigating tough conversations, EQ sets the best apart.

Curious why EQ matters more than ever, whether you’re leading or contributing? Check out our latest blog to learn how boosting your emotional intelligence can transform your career and workplace.

Read it here: https://stonerockmt.com/emotional-intelligence

08/07/2025

Resilient Stories is doing meaningful, necessary work, and they’ve captured it beautifully. Thanks for being the first to jump in and share your voice. We can’t wait to see who’s next!

08/07/2025

We created a FREE tool to help you craft your perfect elevator pitch. And we want to hear yours.

Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, small business owner, or creative professional, this simple worksheet uses 6 essential questions to help you find the clearest, strongest version of your message.

It’s short, practical, and actually works.

Here’s what we’re doing:
Download the doc, answer the questions, and post your elevator pitch on social media. Tag us, and we’ll repost our favorites to help boost your visibility!

We’ll go first: "Hi, I’m Amanda Stonerock. I run Stonerock Business Solutions, where we help nonprofits and small businesses get funding and grow with less stress. We focus on grant writing, planning, and solving day-to-day challenges that hold teams back. Our clients have won over $140 million, and we’ve built tools, like the SBS Navigator and our workbooks, to make the process easier. I believe mission-driven work should be backed by smart, strategic support - and that’s what we offer."

Get the free download here: https://stonerockmt.com/elevator-pitch

Let’s get loud about what we do, and why it matters.

08/06/2025

Tired of sleazy sales tactics?
So are we.

If you’re a consultant, service provider, or nonprofit leader, you already know relationships matter more than pressure. That’s why we wrote about ethical selling, what it looks like in real life and why it works better than the pushy approach.

It’s practical, honest, and based on how real people actually make decisions.

Read the full blog post: Why Ethical Selling Beats Pushy Sales Every Time: https://stonerockmt.com/ethical-selling

We’d love to hear your thoughts, how do you build trust in your work?