Learn more about the incredible entrepreneur behind our April Hey Helen Grant! 🎉 In this conversation, I sit down with Tamara (Mara) Henderson, founder of the Enchanted Immersive Zoological Center (EIZC), to talk about building one of the most unique educational animal experiences in the country. From serving as a United States Marine and firefighter to launching a hands-on zoological center focused on STEM education, conservation, and unforgettable animal encounters, Mara’s story is one of resilience, vision, and determination.

We also dive into what winning the Hey Helen Grant meant for her business, how the funding is already making an impact, and the realities of applying for grants as an entrepreneur. If you’ve ever wondered how to write a stronger grant application, stay motivated after rejection, or build a business around an unconventional dream, this conversation is for you.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, educator, nonprofit founder, grant seeker, animal lover, or simply someone chasing a big vision, I hope this interview reminds you that sometimes all it takes is one person believing in your dream.

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📌 Handy Links

👉 Apply for the Hey Helen Grant

👉 Learn more about the Enchanted Immersive Zoological Center

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🕒 Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

00:30 Meet April Hey Helen Grant winner Tamara Henderson

02:00 Building a hands-on immersive zoological center

05:30 How the grant is helping the business grow

07:00 Turning STEM into STEAM through creativity

09:30 What visitors experience at the zoo

17:30 Working with children and special needs groups

20:00 The surprising therapeutic benefits of animals

22:00 What winning the Hey Helen Grant meant

25:00 Grant writing advice and applying multiple times

31:00 Common grant application mistakes

35:30 Tips for writing a stronger grant application

41:00 Media outreach advice for entrepreneurs

47:00 Final encouragement