How Two Sorority Sisters Built a $580K Consulting Firm

After navigating pregnancy loss, postpartum depression, and divorce, Felicia Jones Taylor and Alexandra Tyson turned their shared educational expertise into Siyana Partners Consulting. By leveraging their deep professional networks and a pact of mutual support, the duo secured $580,000 in funding within a single year of operation.

The partnership began at the University of Maryland, College Park, where the two pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Years later, following a failed proposal for an international teaching contract, the friends recognized a unique synergy in their professional backgrounds. Tyson brought two decades of experience as a classroom teacher and instructional coach, while Taylor provided the strategic drive necessary to navigate the education sector. They officially launched Siyana Partners Consulting in March 2023 to provide specialized support for educational organizations through grants and fundraising.

The road to success was far from linear. Taylor faced significant personal hurdles, including a diagnosis of postpartum depression, which nearly forced her to abandon the venture. During these moments of crisis, the partners operated with a "marriage-like" commitment, alternating the burden of the workload to ensure the business survived while the other focused on health or family stability. When Tyson navigated a divorce and the loss of a primary household income, Taylor acted as a steadying force, preventing her partner from retreating into traditional employment.

Today, their firm thrives on a strategy of relationship building and visibility. Both founders dedicate time to volunteer boards and panels, leveraging their alumni networks from Johns Hopkins and New York University to establish authority. By splitting their roles—one focusing on business development while the other executes current contracts—the pair maintains a balance that allows them to scale effectively while remaining deeply connected to their original mission.