BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – One Bowling Green business owner had the chance to participate in season 12 of reality TV show The Blox. It’s an experience former WKU sociology professor Lauren McClain never would have imagined.
“Out of 8,000 applicants, they selected 84 businesses; Grantibly was one of them,” she said. “Just to be there with that many other entrepreneurs that you know are going through the same things, but with vastly different types of businesses, it was electric in the room. It was just amazing.”
The Blox is a reality competition show where business owners from around the country gather at a weeklong boot camp. Through real-world challenges, showdowns, and competition, people learn how to take their business to the next level. The creator of the docu-series is reality TV star Weston Bergmann.
McClain co-owns Grantibly with her longtime friend Angelika Gulbis. After scrolling through Facebook late at night, McClain applied to The Blox on a whim. Being chosen to participate was something McClain and Gulbis never would have expected when they created Grantibly five years ago over breakfast. It’s especially something McClain wasn’t expecting when she fulfilled her father’s dream to run his own business, something he was never able to do.
Now, they’re helping the national and local community one client at a time.
“Grantibly is an evaluation research company. We collect data on programs or organizations to be able to tell the story of what they’re doing really well, and then where they might have opportunities to improve,” McClain said.
They focus on giving a voice to those who may not always be heard.
“Our niche is really working with organizations and faculty to increase educational and workforce opportunities with minoritized groups. We both have PhDs in sociology, [so] we’re really interested in looking at social structure and organizations and policies and how some people might be left out,” McClain said. “With all of our evaluations, we really have a strong focus on making sure that they’re culturally responsive and equitable and that we’re hearing everyone’s voices.”
Some of their projects include working on a community health assessment with members of the BRAAD region, evaluating a grant for WKU’s Department of Education, and working closely with the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce.
During her week in Tulsa, OK, McClain said she gained a lot more knowledge, confidence, and connections.
“Aside from the tangible things that I took away from the show in terms of just business development, I think I’ve really learned that you know, it is possible for anybody who has a passion to start a business and to be successful in that business, if they really just work hard and are willing to learn.”
While there, she was surrounded by those with a growth mindset. She learned the importance of moving on after mistakes and setting bigger goals. She encourages those who may be afraid to take that step, to just try.
“If anyone wants to start their own business, just go for it,” she said. “The best advice that I got was that you’re not going to know everything when you start. Just start and you’ll learn it as you go.”
In addition to expanding their clientele in the South Central Kentucky area, McClain and Gulbis are beginning to coach other academics who want to become consultants.
Visit Grantibly.com to learn more about their services and how to get involved. The Blox is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, their Facebook series, and their apps.
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