There’s nothing quite like the surprise of a fresh start; especially when it’s something that is totally out of your hands. Megan Nivens-Tannett, CEO of Flourish Consulting Services, knows a lot about new beginnings. If anyone can make a gourmet glass of lemonade after life throws a bushel of rotten ones, Nivens-Tannett is the go-to subject matter expert.

Over 15 years of working in the corporate world, Nivens-Tannett found herself jobless one day as part of a company-wide layoff. After years of experience working in for nonprofits, the private sector, as well as for the government, Nivens-Tannett thought to herself, “There’s got to be a better way to this whole marketing thing.”

During this period, Nivens-Tannett was facing a major personal family crisis, topped off with all the challenges that accompany a total life upheaval. Her daughter Madison, 11 years old at the time, believed that her mother had that “special something” that entrepreneurial business owners possess, but it wasn’t yet something that Nivens-Tannett saw in herself. Madison asked, “Why don’t you start your own business and do your own thing?” Madison’s challenge galvanized Nivens-Tannett’s belief in herself. “Why not?” she thought.

The entrepreneurial path is not necessarily clearcut nor easy. Starting one’s own business can be risky and downright scary. For Nivens-Tannett, there was certainly a lot of inner conflict, self-doubt, and fear. But, with the support and encouragement of her friends and family, Nivens-Tannett took a leap of faith and dove into the world of being her own boss. The one stipulation that she made was that if she jumped in with both feet, Madison had to take that plunge with her. It was Madison’s idea for the business name. After all, the word “Flourish” means to “grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way, especially as the result of a particularly favorable environment.”

For the past four years, Flourish has blossomed exponentially and for every year it has been in operations, it has grown by leaps and bounds. Starting as a small business venture that began in Megan’s living room, Flourish graduated to a small office space in the 7800 Madison Boulevard building, aka the former Wyle Building.

As the clientele grew, the staffing needs followed suit. First, there were three, now there is a team of ten. Recently, Flourish celebrated yet another exciting growth trajectory with a ribbon cutting ceremony in their new super-sized office, which inhabits the entire 6th floor of the building. There was an enthusiastic turnout of well-wishers; the entire main office area was packed to capacity.

“We invited a lot of people, people who have really been part of this journey since day one,” said Nivens-Tannett. “Everybody in the room has been cheerleaders for what we’re doing and I’m a true believer that it’s all about that, it’s all about the people, and it’s about the relationships, and the people we get a chance to partner with.”

The ambience of the Flourish workspace is breathtaking. It’s peaceful and inviting; everything about the workspace design is intentional. It’s completely devoid of the ghastly cube-scapes and bland prefab furniture combos often found in offices. The lighting is soft and low-key, in stark contrast to standard issue fluorescent brightness. All the natural wood touches that soften the office’s interior have been carefully created by Zach Tannett, Flourish’s CFO as well as being a woodworking whiz.

Most importantly, the workspace is very client friendly. It’s has the kind of atmosphere that’s conducive to brainstorming and generating creative ideas.

“I think one of the things that a lot of people realize about Flourish that makes us really different, is that it is about the people,” said Nivens-Tannett. “We invest a lot of time in the relationship. That way we can really make recommendations that are truly tailored and impactful.”

Images by Lori Conners, the Huntsville Business Journal.