5 years at Stuckless Consulting Inc.!
Image: Showing off some of my favourite places to cycle in Hamilton as part of my 5th anniversary bike tour (Photo by David Keogh)
Fall 2025 marked my 5th anniversary at Stuckless Consulting Inc.. I am really proud of this milestone and grateful to all of my clients, partners, friends, and family who have helped make this journey possible, and enjoyable.
In the past, I have been quick to hit a milestone and then move onto the next thing without taking any time to pause or celebrate. This was a big deal, and I wanted to do things differently so I hosted a bike ride and small reception in Hamilton in September. During the event, I reflected on the successes and challenges of the past 5 years and shared some of my goals for the future. It was also a lovely opportunity to thank some of the people who have been supporting my consulting journey.
Image: A huge thanks to Michael Pasquali and CEBA for the Certificate of Appreciation for my e-bike advocacy and policy work. It means a lot to me! (Photo by David Keogh)
Some of the things I am most proud of from the past 5 years include:
Completing 35+ projects aimed at supporting active transportation and community engagement.
Providing over $10,000 in sponsorships and donations to organizations including the Everyone Rides Initiative, Bike the Creek, Gaza Sunbirds, Capital Bike, Women in Urbanism, Community Fridges Hamilton, Let’s Bike Ottawa, and more.
Publishing 5 free community resources to support people working and volunteering in the active transportation sector.
Being my own boss and successfully running a consulting business for 5 years!!
Over the past 5 years I have had the chance to build something I am really proud of. Being my own boss has allowed me the space to figure out what works best for me. I also get to take on projects that I believe in, and I am learning so much everyday.
Image: Beautiful day for a bike tour in Hamilton (Photo by David Keogh)
Of course, there have been challenges as well, and many days where I have felt defeated and like maybe I should just pack it all in. Some days, I feel like I am sitting in my house pretending to run a company, asking myself “who am I to do this”. Running a small business is a lot of work and responsibility, and it can get lonely. I also get tired of all the paperwork.
But I am surrounded by great people (like you!) and that keeps me going.
Image: Reception guests graciously listening to me deliver a few remarks (Photo by David Keogh)
Looking ahead, I shared some of my goals for the future, including:
Work on a transportation or mobility master plan.
Be invited to be a keynote speaker.
Host more e-bike workshops and test rides.
Secure more multi-year projects.
Reverse Ontario’s child passenger ban for e-bikes.
Keep working with great people on projects I am passionate about.
I am thrilled that several of you have already reached out to talk about how we could accomplish some of these goals together!
Image: Group photo of bike ride participants at the Adaptive Bike Hub (Photo by David Keogh)
A huge thank you to everyone who helped me celebrate 5 years in consulting, at the party, or from afar. I feel very fortunate to be part of this community, and to be able to do this work everyday.
For the party, a special thank you to Cycle Hamilton for supporting the bike ride and hosting a bike valet for guests, and to Hamilton Bike Share Inc. for giving us a tour of the Adaptive Bike Hub. I’d also like to thank the venue team at the Worker’s Arts and Heritage Centre, and our caterers at Strathcona Market and Fairly Frosted. David Keogh supported the event with amazing photography, and a huge thanks to Nelly Okwu-wolu for on-site support. And of course to my family, who showed up to help, like they always do.
Image: Helping guests solve the Stuckless Consulting Inc. crossword puzzle (Photo by David Keogh)
More broadly, I also want to thank Nancy Smith Lea. I am forever grateful that you stepped in to help run Stuckless Consulting Inc. so that I could take time away on parental leave in 2022. I am so glad that we have continued to work together over the years. I value your guidance so much.
Image: Finally got a photo of me and Nancy after all these years thanks to David Keogh.
In terms of what’s next for Stuckless Consulting Inc. I am going to keep working on projects I believe in with great people and clients. I want to keep showing up and speaking up in support of policies and programs that support active transportation, and healthy, active, and accessible communities, and I plan to continue publishing resources that help other people do that too.
Thanks for being here with me!
Image: Copy of a display board from the event capturing Stuckless Consulting Inc. clients and project partners over the years.