Introducing the HoneyBook Breakthrough Grant: $25,000 to power your growth  

Since the start of 2024, there have been 80,000 layoffs in the tech industry alone. Add to that job cuts in other sectors like finance and media, and it’s clear the future of work is evolving. For a growing number of individuals, the corporate path is becoming less secure and independent consulting more appealing. Offering opportunity and flexibility, independent work will continue to grow and HoneyBook is ready to support these emerging businesses. 

Today, we’re excited to launch the Breakthrough Grant—a $500,000 investment this year to fund two rounds of our first-ever business grant program. Each round, we’re offering ten early-stage independent marketing and creative consultants $25,000 worth of tools, resources, and training to break through barriers and accelerate their growth. 

From June 18 to July 16, 2024, applications are officially open for the first round of the Breakthrough Grant. Learn more about the application process, eligibility, and whether your business is a good fit for the program.

What will the grant winners receive?

Ten business owners will receive the Breakthrough Grant package valued at $25,000, which includes: 

• A three-year Premium HoneyBook membership (worth $2,400) 
• $18,000 cash for recipients to invest in additional tools or training 
• Expert business support from seasoned HoneyBook Pros to help recipients optimize their processes and systems (worth over $4,000)
• Plus, winners will gain access to a private peer community and exclusive workshops

Who is eligible for the grant?

The Breakthrough Grant is for early-stage marketing and creative consultants. This includes digital marketers, social media managers, SEO experts, marketing agencies, brand photographers, content creators, and more. 

The program is for individuals that are skilled in their field and committed to their growth but in the early years of their independent career—from recently started to up to three years in business. At this stage, it is common to face financial, operational, or knowledge challenges, which the grant aims to help business owners overcome. 

Backed by experience and a demonstrated commitment to independent entrepreneurship, these businesses are well-positioned to reach the next stage of growth with help from the investment and support offered by the grant. 

When evaluating applicants, we’re particularly looking for businesses that already have a name and clear service offering, have demonstrated a commitment to growing their businesses, have a digital presence, and are based in the United States or Canada, excluding Quebec. 

At this time, we’re only offering the grant to non-HoneyBook members so we can reach a new audience of emerging business owners who are not set up yet with the tools and resources they need to be successful. 

How to apply for the Breakthrough Grant

Applications for the grant are open June 18 through July 16, 2024, and winners will be announced in early August. 

To apply, head to the Breakthrough Grant landing page and fill out the form to receive your application by email. In the application, we’ll ask you a series of questions about your services, your experience in your field, the challenges your business is facing, and how you would use the grant if you were to win.

If you don’t fit the eligibility criteria but you know a friend, family member, or colleague who might, you can choose to nominate a fellow independent business owner instead. Simply click “nominate someone” and enter their name and email address. Your nominee will receive an email invitation to apply for the grant. 

Please note that if someone is nominated more than once, they will only receive a single application invitation from the first person who nominated them. 

More opportunities to grow your business with HoneyBook

This is the first round of the Breakthrough Grant, so stay tuned for more information on a second round later this year. 

In the meantime, make sure you’re utilizing other resources HoneyBook has to offer for independent businesses:

• Listen to the Independent Business podcast for education from top voices in the small business world.
• Explore the HoneyBook blog to learn business best practices about every part of your business operations.
• Access our free tools and templates to establish your business invoices, contracts, mission statement, and more. 
• Work with a HoneyBook Pro to get set up for success on HoneyBook and beyond.
• Learn more about how HoneyBook suite of business tool can you help you ditch the busywork and do more of your best work. 
• Hear how HoneyBook members, business owners just like you, have improved their processes and elevated their client experience on the platform.