I have been a writer all my life. I wrote book reports as a young student, essays as a highschooler, and more complex and challenging papers while in college and graduate school. As a professional, I’ve crafted annual reports, press releases, and media pitches (in career #1 as a public relations executive). Later, as I pivoted and found my passion for health policy and public health, I started to use my pen (my keyboard, really) to write policy papers, technical assistance briefs, advocacy materials, blogs, and other written pieces to advance health and healthcare access and outcomes for underserved populations.

But this is the first time I am writing a blog in my new role as consultant and entrepreneur – which is both fun and a little bit scary. Here goes.

As many of you know, I officially launched Chazin Consulting at the start of 2023 after working in various employed health policy and public health roles, with some part-time consulting on the side. After completing a master’s degree in Organizational Development & Leadership last spring, I felt that the time was “now or never” to take the entrepreneurial leap. So off I went, inspired by others who had done the same, encouraged by colleagues and friends, and more than a little bit thrilled about the unknown possibilities that lie ahead.

Just one month into this new adventure, my reflections abound — some unsurprising and some wholly unexpected:

1. Opportunities often come from the least expected places. Back in business school in the early ‘90s, we learned that identifying your target audiences, key messages, and communication channels are fundamental pieces of a marketing plan. And while I have written such a plan, the opportunities that have arisen in this first month are what I would call “plan-adjacent.” They have included word-of-mouth recommendations from valued colleagues and friends (thank you, Tanya!), and an email from my brother’s long-time friend from overnight camp (hi, Brian!), who saw my business announcement on Facebook.
2. Everyone is a unicorn. I recently had a get-to-know-you call with a new colleague, in which I shared my varied backgrounds in marketing, communication, public health, oral health policy, and leadership development. After I went on for a bit, she replied, “Wow, Stacey. You really are a unicorn.” While this had the immediate impact of bolstering my confidence that I had a unique value proposition to bring to the consulting space, it also made me reflect on how each one of us brings unique value to our collective space. I have carried this reminder into every conversation I have with a colleague, new partner, or community member – appreciating that no other person has the same lived experiences, expertise, or perspectives as another.
3. The journey often matters so much more than the destination. Okay, I know this sounds like something you’d find in a fortune cookie, but it is true! As someone with a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator of INTJ, I prefer to be planned and organized, and to know what the future holds. But as an INTJ, I also embrace self-improvement and lifelong learning. I am enjoying navigating the unchartered waters of full-time entrepreneurship – including successes and “non-successes” that are teaching me how to be better at what I do.
4. It takes a village, and I have a GREAT one. Perhaps it is because I work in the public health and social change space – which attracts kind, generous, and really smart people – but the messages and offers of support I have received from colleagues have been tremendous. I also have treasured friends and family in my corner; their advice and words of encouragement have been priceless.
5. I am lucky and oh so grateful. See #4 above.

Thank you for reading. If you want to connect with me, please reach out via email or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.