Mentorship Member Spotlight: Melissa Paluch, Busybee Research & Evaluation.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Melissa Paluch for our Mentorship Member Spotlight. She is the founder of Busybee Research & Evaluation.

Tell us a little about yourself and your consulting business! What inspired you to start your consulting journey?

Melissa: I’m Melissa Paluch, founder of Busybee Research & Evaluation. I live in the Washington, DC MSA.  I help nonprofits and mission-driven organizations use research and evaluation to understand their impact and communicate it clearly to funders and stakeholders. My work combines quantitative and qualitative research to give organizations practical insights they can act on.

I started my consulting business after years of working in market research. I saw how many nonprofits and for-profits collected data but struggled to turn it into useful stories about their outcomes. I wanted to help them connect the dots between their programs, data, and results so they could make better decisions and attract more financial support.

As a sociologist attuned to the turbulence in our country and the fraying sense of community, I chose to apply my skills toward earning a certificate in Program Evaluation at Portland State University, with a focus on nonprofits. Through that program and my first client project, I examined caregiving for Parkinson’s patients across Michigan and uncovered critical gaps in our medical system. By interviewing caregivers, I revealed the insidious progression of Parkinson’s disease and how it gradually robs individuals of their mobility, speech, and cognitive abilities, leaving aging spouses to shoulder the burden of care alone. Without the $2,500 in annual support provided by the Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation, many of these caregivers would have no respite or means to leave their loved one safely at home.  After completing this project and learning from the caregivers, I knew that starting a program evaluation business 'checked all the boxes for me'. 

What types of nonprofits do you love working with?

Melissa: I enjoy working with small to mid-sized nonprofits and foundations that are passionate about their mission and ready to grow. I’m especially drawn to organizations focused on health, education, and community well-being. These are groups that want to strengthen their programs and communicate their results in ways that truly reflect their impact.

As a researcher, by nature, I am a curious person, so it is difficult for me to settle on a sphere of non-profits that I am most interested in serving.  

While many nonprofits focus on doing what they do best, delivering services,  want to empower them to also build the skills and systems needed to track and share their positive outcomes.

What has been your biggest win since joining the Relatable Nonprofit Mentorship program?

Melissa: My biggest win has been gaining clarity and confidence about how to position myself as a consultant. The mentorship program helped me define what makes my approach different and how to talk about the value I bring to nonprofits. The community has also been supportive, which makes this work feel a lot less isolating.

Additionally, while I am a disciplined person, the program has provided me with more accountability and structure for moving forward.

How has the Relatable Nonprofit Mentorship program supported your growth?

Melissa: It has given me a space to learn from others who are also building consulting practices. I’ve picked up practical advice, new ideas, and confidence in my ability to build a business that reflects my values. It’s been a reminder that growth takes time, and that there’s a community of people doing this work with the same purpose and care.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting out as a nonprofit consultant?

Melissa: Focus on building relationships and trust. The best projects start with listening and understanding what a client really needs. When you approach the work with curiosity and empathy, you create partnerships that lead to lasting impact.

Also, you do not have to go it alone, there are communities to join and resources available for people to start businesses.

To stay in touch with Melissa, please follow her on her social media platform found below. 

LinkedIn