Today we’d like to introduce you to Michala Halterman.
Hi Michala, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I built TULIP Strategic Consulting from the ground up because I saw how often talented founders were trying to grow businesses without the right support behind them. I was working closely with small businesses and entrepreneurs and kept noticing the same pattern. They were smart, driven, and deeply invested in what they were building, but they were carrying everything themselves. Strategy, operations, finances, systems, compliance. It was a lot, and it didn’t have to be that hard.
Early in my career, I naturally gravitated toward the behind-the-scenes work. I was the person helping clean things up, create structure, and bring clarity when things felt messy or overwhelming. Over time, I realized that this kind of support was exactly what so many founders needed.
Starting TULIP meant building something intentionally and honestly. I built the brand, the services, and the relationships from scratch, growing the business client by client. As my clients grew, so did TULIP. What started as strategic and creative consulting expanded into deeper operational and financial support, payroll and compliance oversight, and executive-level decision support with the help from my amazing team. Every step of that growth came from listening closely to what my clients actually needed to feel confident and supported.
Building this business has been deeply personal for me. I know what it feels like to carry the weight of decisions and to worry about getting things right while still trying to grow. That experience shapes how I show up for my clients. My goal has always been to create a business that feels like a true partner, not just an advisor, and to help founders build businesses that are sustainable, compliant, and aligned with the life they want, not just the revenue they are chasing.
Today, TULIP exists to give founders clarity, structure, and peace of mind as they grow. Building this business has been about impact more than scale, and that continues to guide how I lead and who I choose to work with.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Building a business from the ground up comes with a lot of learning in real time, and much of that learning happens the hard way. Early on, one of the biggest challenges was doing everything myself. I was building the business, serving clients, managing operations, and making every decision, often at the same time. That can be exhausting.
Another challenge was learning when to say no. As a growing business, it’s tempting to take on everything, especially when opportunities come your way. I had to learn how to set boundaries, trust my judgment, and focus on work that aligned with my strengths and values, even when that meant slower growth in the short term.
There were also moments of uncertainty that come with entrepreneurship. Figuring out pricing, scope, and how to structure services in a way that was sustainable took time and refinement. Each challenge forced me to get clearer, more confident, and more intentional about how I built the business.
Looking back, those struggles shaped how I work today. They pushed me to build better systems, communicate more clearly, and be thoughtful about the kind of clients and projects I take on. The road wasn’t smooth, but it was meaningful, and it helped me build something that feels aligned and sustainable.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
TULIP Strategic Consulting exists to help small business owners and founders bring clarity and structure to their businesses as they grow. Many entrepreneurs are excellent at what they do but feel overwhelmed by the operational, financial, and compliance pieces that sit behind the scenes. My work focuses on helping them simplify those areas so growth feels intentional and manageable rather than stressful.
What I do is both strategic and hands on. I partner closely with clients to understand where their business is today, where they want it to go, and what needs to be built or refined to support that growth. This often includes strategy, operations, financial processes, payroll and compliance, and decision support. I am known for taking complex or intimidating topics and turning them into clear, practical steps that founders can actually act on.
What sets TULIP apart is the level of partnership and care involved in the work. I do not offer one size fits all solutions or surface level advice. Every engagement is tailored to the specific business, its stage of growth, and the person behind it. Clients work directly with me, which allows for consistency, trust, and a deeper understanding of their business.
Brand wise, I am most proud of the trust my clients place in me. Many come to TULIP feeling overwhelmed or unsure and leave feeling grounded, confident, and supported. I have intentionally built a brand around clarity, integrity, and thoughtful growth rather than quick fixes or flashy promises.
What I want readers to know is that TULIP is about building strong foundations. It is about helping founders create businesses that are compliant, well structured, and aligned with the life they want to live. My goal is always to help clients feel less alone in their decisions and more confident in the systems supporting their growth.
What makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is a life centered on faith and family. I find a lot of joy in the everyday moments, time with my husband and children, shared routines, and being present at home.
I value simplicity and consistency.
My faith influences how I approach life and work, helping me appreciate steady rhythms and focus on doing things well rather than constantly chasing what’s next.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tulipstrategicconsulting.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TULIPVA
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tulip-strategic-counsulting/about/?viewAsMember=true
