We recently connected with Greer Consulting and have shared our conversation below.
Greer, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?
When we started Greer Consulting in 2021, we brought with us two distinct networks, complementary skill sets, and a shared vision for our style of approaching Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) work. Both of us had spent years building relationships in different spaces—nonprofits, universities, corporations—but it wasn’t until we combined forces that our business began to rapidly grow.
Our partnership is what sets our business apart. Together, we offer not just expertise but balance and chemistry. One of us is a meticulous strategist, thriving on data and creativity, while the other is a natural intuitive, always reading the room and knowing how to respond to what is not being said verbally by clients. This dynamic gives our clients something rare: a holistic approach that bridges both the head and the heart of equity work.
Scaling our business wasn’t easy. We started with small contracts, leveraging the trust we’d built in our respective networks. But as our projects grew, so did the realization that our unique chemistry was resonating with clients. Organizations didn’t just see us as consultants—they saw us as a team that modeled partnership in action.
One of the most pivotal decisions we made early on was to fully lean into our dynamic as a couple. In every workshop, focus group or coaching session, we show up as partners—not just in business, but in life. It’s this authenticity that helps us create meaningful connections with our clients, whether they’re a team of executives tackling systemic inequities or a nonprofit board navigating cultural shifts.
As we scaled up, we also refined our offerings. Growth taught us to focus on what we do best, based on our skill sets and capacity. We realized we excel at professional development workshops, qualitative assessment and executive coaching and we’ve learned how to deliver these services with impact and efficiency. This clarity has allowed us to not only serve more clients but serve them better.
But the journey wasn’t without its twists. We faced growing pains, like learning to balance parenting and entrepreneurship or deciding when to decline an opportunity. Every step forced us to deepen our communication and sharpen our focus. Along the way, we discovered something unexpected: our business wasn’t just about helping organizations—it was also about helping relationships.
This realization has sparked the beginning of something new. We’re now exploring how to extend the principles of equity into the realm of relationships and partnerships. This isn’t a formal offering—yet. Instead, we’re excited to organically test ways to support singles looking for love and couples seeking stronger connections. We look forward to seeing how this grows and whether it resonates as deeply as we hope it will.
Today, our business serves a wide range of clients, from universities to health organizations and beyond. But at the core, it’s still about two people who believe in the power of equity to transform relationships and culture. Our growth wasn’t the result of a single breakthrough; it was a series of deliberate choices, made with love, intention, and a commitment to doing this work together.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
We’re a husband-and-wife duo who lead a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) consulting firm, bringing a unique blend of expertise, passion, and heart to everything we do. Our story began in higher education, where we were colleagues working to create inclusive spaces for students, faculty and staff. It was in that shared environment that we discovered our complementary skill sets and a mutual desire to foster equity in every space we touched.
In 2021, we officially launched our consulting firm, combining years of experience with a shared vision for making a difference. While one of us has since transitioned into the nonprofit sector, we both remain educators at heart. Our business provides professional development workshops, qualitative assessment through focus groups, executive coaching and strategy building. But more than that, we specialize in meeting people where they are in their journey. We know that every organization and individual comes with their own understanding of diversity, equity & inclusion, and we pride ourselves on creating tailored experiences that help them grow authentically.
What makes us stand out is our dynamic as partners—not just in business but in life. Together, we model equity in action, blending analytical strategy with creative problem-solving. Our clients often tell us that our chemistry and authenticity create a space where meaningful conversations and real change can happen. We’ve grown our client base organically through word of mouth and strong referrals, which we see as a testament to the trust and impact we’ve built with the people and organizations we serve. From universities, school districts, cities and nonprofits, we’ve been privileged to partner with a diverse array of clients to create equitable and inclusive impact.
Looking ahead, we’re excited about exploring new ways to expand our mission. We’re starting to brainstorm support focused on equity in relationships and partnerships, aiming to help singles and couples build connections rooted in understanding and deconstructing power dynamics. It’s an extension of our belief that equity isn’t just about policies—it’s about people. Above all, we want potential clients and partners to know that we approach this work with love, intention, and a genuine desire to create spaces where everyone can thrive.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Our reputation in the DEI space is deeply rooted in the strong foundations we built in higher education. Both of us started our careers in this field, where we earned stellar reputations as educators and advocates for equity and inclusion. The relationships and credibility we cultivated during that time have followed us into our consulting work, providing a strong network of trust and respect.
We also take immense pride in being educators who meet people where they are, with no judgment. We understand that not everyone has had the same opportunities to deeply engage with issues of structural inequity and the long legacy of oppression. Instead of making assumptions or imposing rigid expectations, we create spaces where learning and growth feel safe and accessible. This approach allows us to connect authentically with clients at every stage of their DEI journey.
Another key factor that has bolstered our reputation is our commitment to accountability. We recognize that this work is complex, and mistakes are inevitable—even for us. When we fall short, we take responsibility, learn from the experience, and use it as an opportunity to model transparency and growth for our clients. This willingness to own our missteps builds trust and reinforces our credibility.
Ultimately, what sets us apart is our genuine dedication to equity, both in our professional work and in how we show up as individuals. Our backgrounds in higher education, combined with our non-judgmental and accountable approach, have helped us build a reputation as thoughtful, reliable, and impactful partners in the journey toward meaningful change.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I’ve (Marissiko) had to unlearn was the assumption that my PhD alone would automatically grant me credibility in the eyes of potential clients. For a long time, I believed that my advanced degree would speak for itself—that it would demonstrate how hard-working I am, how deep my subject matter expertise is, and how much insight I could bring to any project.
However, as I began to work with different organizations, I realized that many companies weren’t as focused on credentials as I had assumed. What they cared most about was our ability to understand their industry, adapt to their specific needs, and offer solutions that felt both relevant and actionable. The focus wasn’t solely on the knowledge I gained through years of academia but on how well we could translate complex concepts into something that made sense for their context, team, or audience.
This shift in perspective was pivotal. It prompted me to pivot from emphasizing my research background to highlighting our ability to bridge the gap between big ideas and practical application. I learned to frame our expertise in a way that shows we don’t just bring theoretical knowledge, but we can adapt and apply it to any situation, making it accessible and valuable for a diverse range of clients.
Ultimately, this lesson taught me the importance of flexibility and listening. It was about understanding that while credentials are important, the real value lies in how we meet clients where they are and guide them toward meaningful, actionable insights.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://greerconsulting.org
- Instagram: @GreerConsulting
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/greer-consulting/
