10 years of Clearsulting: Reflections from our founder and first leaders

Ten years ago, Marc Ursick took a leap of faith and founded Clearsulting. Monica Engelhardt and Paige Kennedy joined shortly after. Today, Marc leads as Founder and CEO, Monica as Head of Operations and CFO, and Paige as Head of Financial Close Practice. Now, they’re reflecting on the firm’s beginnings, its evolution, and the values that have guided every step.

What started as three people has since grown into a global firm of more than 350 team members. And yet, the heart of Clearsulting remains the same: a commitment to our people, our culture, and doing things the right way.

How it started

For Marc Ursick, Clearsulting began with a belief that consulting could be done differently. “I wanted to create a company that was culture-driven from day one,” he said. “A place where people could spend decades and have an awesome career—not just a two- to five-year pit stop.”

That idea—that consulting could be human-centered—became the foundation for everything that followed.

Looking back at the defining moments

“None of us had ever started a company before, so there were a lot of challenges,” recalled Monica Engelhardt. “From setting up a website to delivering our first few projects, we were figuring it all out as we went.”

It was the first two projects that really set the tone for the firm. “We hit them out of the park,” Monica said. “That early success helped us earn trust—and the next project, and then the next.”

Paige Kennedy remembers another turning point: when Clearsulting could finally invest in building out internal operations like HR, IT, and marketing. “That was when it started to feel like a real business,” she said.

“We started out barely able to afford a plane ticket to a conference,” Marc laughed. “Then a few years later, we were sponsoring those same conferences. That was a big moment.”

How their leadership has evolved

As the firm has grown, they’ve had to transition from hands-on leadership, now passing the torch to new members of the team.

“It started with the three of us building a reputation for Clearsulting,” Paige said. “Now, it’s about empowering the next generation of leaders and giving them the space to grow.”

Monica added, “At the end of the day, we’re in a people business. We want Clearsulting to be a stable, supportive place for people to build their careers and reach their goals.”

For Marc, the shift has been about staying grounded in values. “We’ve learned to lean on what matters most—doing the right thing, even when it’s the harder path,” he said.

Monica agreed, “I’d rather grow slower doing things the right way than faster in a way we can’t be proud of.”

The secret to staying power

When asked what’s kept Clearsulting successful through a decade of change, all three founders agreed: it comes down to people—and care.

“Our team members are number one,” Marc said. “And our level of care for our clients is right behind that. If we get those two things right, everything else follows.”

“The best thing I’ve done in the last 10 years isn’t a deliverable or a deck—it’s the people I’ve done it with,” Monica said. “This firm was built on relationships, and that’s something that will never change.”

Paige noted how that sense of connection has fueled growth, both inside and outside the firm. “Our team takes care of each other and our clients,” she said. “That’s how we’ve built long-term trust and momentum.”

Looking ahead: The next ten years

“Our goal is to be the go-to CFO digital transformation firm,” Marc said. “What excites me most is that we’re still just getting started.”

“Even with ten years behind us and 350 people on the team, it still feels like the beginning,” Monica said. “The team we have now is laying the foundation for everything we’ll build next.”

Paige pointed to curiosity and adaptability as key to that future. “In consulting, you have to stay curious and embrace change,” she said. “That’s how we’ll continue to grow and lead.”

Words of wisdom to their younger selves

If they could go back to 2015, what would they do differently?

Marc didn’t hesitate: “Enjoy the challenges. Be present in the moment through the ups and downs.”

Monica echoed that thought. “I wish I’d paused more often to take in what was happening,” she said. “We get so focused on what’s next that we forget to appreciate what’s now.”

And for Paige? “Trust the process—every challenge or detour felt monumental at the time, but those were the moments that built resilience and clarity. I’d lean in and know its leading to somewhere worthwhile,” she said.

A decade down—but the best yet to come

Ten years in, Clearsulting’s story is still unfolding.

The lessons of the past decade—resilience, curiosity, care, and connection—are what will propel the firm into the next chapter.

Cheers to a decade of going futher!