The Roanoker Sept/October 2023 - 16

Do You Know...?
Do You Know...
Grant Holmes?
written & photographed by Aila Boyd A regional business leader finds
success on new paths, including voicework and virtual event hosting.
Holmes is pictured during
an early 2020 ribbon
cutting for Lawrence
Equipment's CASE
Construction Equipment
dealership. At the time, he
was head of the Botetourt
County Chamber of
Commerce.
distinct voice.
He first realized he had a strong voice when
he was singled out for a solo for a school performance
at the age of five. He continued to
hone his voice in high school through competitive
public speaking and later through singing
and as a traveling corporate trainer.
" My mom says I came out of the womb
singing. I'm sure that's not literal, but I've
always used my voice for something, " he says.
When he decided to go into the voiceover
field, he had to adjust to the specific style of
delivery many businesses are looking for, which
is more conversational. " It's not flat, but you
don't dance on the words, " he explains.
He also lends his voice to companies and
organizations that host virtual meetings and
webinars, serving as the host. He's on pace to
host 250 virtual events this year. " I do them
all over the world. I've done them overnight
in Dubai and Kuwait. They're six-hour virtual
events like going to a daylong webinar or conference
and I'm the guy that's managing the
whole thing and introducing people, " he says.
He goes by the nickname " The Webinar Guy. "
Through his business consulting, he helps
guide between 50 and 60 business owners every
year through difficult decisions. One key piece
of advice he offers is that they should allow the
market to push them around a bit even if they
have very clear ideas about the direction they
want to go in.
" I want to be the best hat sewer in the
world...well, all of the sudden you do a couple
scarves, and people are loving them. Is it really
that big of a deal if you sell scarves or hats?
Part of it is saying now that I'm in it, what is
the marketplace buying? " he advises.
One of the most rewarding parts of his
work, he says, is getting to meet new people
and learn a little about their businesses.
G
16
rant Holmes makes it his
business to make sure businesses
succeed.
Holmes draws upon his
unique set of work experiences
to help others. He's done a bit of just
about everything throughout the past 30 years,
including high-end remodeling, restaurant
management, retail and salvage.
" I've run $2.5-3 million businesses with as
high as 70 employees working for me, " he says.
" I've worked in the highest of high-volume restaurants
that were doing $30,000 on a Friday
night and I've worked in the lowest of low-volume
stores that were lucky to do $5,000 for the
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023
week. There's a lot of business lessons in that. "
He had the chance to impact the local business
community in a big way when he served
as executive director of the Botetourt County
Chamber of Commerce. His tenure came at
a precarious time when the COVID-19 pandemic
threatened many of the chamber's small
businesses.
Since leaving the chamber roughly two years
ago, Holmes has struck out on his own.
A central theme in his work is helping others
succeed in business, whether it be through
advising a business owner on how to take their
business to the next level or helping businesses
get their message out there by lending his
Although he works hard, Holmes certainly
knows how to have a good time. He divides his
free time between his two passions-ballroom
dance and motorcycles. Despite how different
those two hobbies are, he navigates both scenes
quite adeptly.
" There's an elegance to ballroom. Doing
it well is fun. I've met so many cool people
through it, " he says. " I've had my Yamaha
Royal Star Venture since 2012. I love riding
the mountain roads. You're in a 360-degree
experience that you don't get in a car. "
The Botetourt County resident is originally
from Ohio, having made the move in 2013 out
of a desire to be in the mountains. I
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