Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
I’m Stacey Merola, Ph.D., Founder and Principal Scientist at Glissando Strategies. At the end of 2025, I returned to independent consulting after working for others for five years. Prior to this iteration, I had a business for eight years which I closed in 2020 due to pressures from the COVID-19 pandemic. Then the changes of 2025 came, decimating the evaluation community in the D.C region, so I pivoted again, making the decision to return to having a business, figuring that I could compete on equal footing for bids versus dealing with the vagaries of the current job market.
Having a business would also allow me flexibility to pursue some creative endeavors that had been in the back of my mind, as well as move to another area to reduce my living costs. Finally, and probably most importantly, I realized though the business was new, I was coming to it with all the knowledge I had gained from the last time around. Some lessons I’m taking with me into this next phase of entrepreneurship are:
You could spend all your time on your business, but is that a fulfilling life? Establishing boundaries is essential for maintaining balance.
It’s a bit of a platitude, but in this case it is appropriate. Often you must learn as you do, and that is okay. For example, you have to write proposals to get better at writing proposals. Embrace the process and take action rather than waiting for everything to be perfect. Just do it.
The most effective marketing technique is one that you are willing to maintain consistently. For example, there has been debate about the value of newsletters: some argue that even if recipients do not open your emails, the mere presence of your messages keeps you top-of-mind. However, if you dislike creating newsletters and therefore do not send them regularly, this strategy will not work for you. It is important to select marketing efforts that align with your strengths and preferences.
Don’t hesitate to charge rates that reflect your expertise and skills. In my earlier experience, I likely undercharged for my services. Though you might charge less when starting your business to get work, eventually it will get to the point where you need to raise your prices. Clients expect to pay more for quality, and increasing your rates after building a track record can attract more business.
There is a lot of advice about how to cultivate relationships with potential clients, but for small business owners, developing a relationship with someone at your bank can be invaluable. For example, banking products such as credit lines are critical tools for supporting business growth. Investing time in building these relationships can provide important advantages for your company’s financial health. Similarly, having good relationships with accountants, lawyers, and insurance companies can be very helpful.
Life is easier if you accept that running a business requires dealing with a lot of paperwork. The process feels less overwhelming to me this time around, which I consider a sign of my growth. Accepting the necessity of managing administrative tasks makes the experience smoother and frees up mental energy for the activities you really enjoy.
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