This week, MNA celebrated 18 years of its existence. Although I had opened the company (on paper) in 2004, I didn’t “go all in” until 2009 after I finished my Ph.D. and had this existential question: Now what?!
I left my then full-time job with a regular paycheck and benefits and took a chance.
As Mark Cuban often says on Shark Tank: Are you an entrepreneur or a wantrepreneur?
There have been several lessons learned. But overall, I am not disappointed.
MNA’s 18 years of sometimes slow yet steady growth comprised these:
1. Total team members 1 to 7 plus several regular consultants
2. Number of projects completed: 0 to 300+
3. Number of clients served: 2 to 200+
4. Grants funding received: 3 to 250+
5. Reports completed: 1 to 350+
6. Reach: 2 to 32 states, Washington DC, and the US Virgin Islands
We have expanded our portfolio to provide capacity-building workshops, technical assistance, and grant proposal writing.
We have learned to be intentional about what kinds of projects we take on; how and with whom we sub-contract – big lessons there; and that we *still* want to be called a K-16 research and evaluation consulting firm.
Looking forward to much meaningful work and successful partnerships in the next decade and beyond. Thanks to my team who make it all happen!
