In a world increasingly driven by data, Marianne Pelletier stands as a beacon of passion and purpose. As the founder of Staupell Analytics Group, Marianne has spent years leveraging the power of data to boost the impact of nonprofit organizations.
Beyond the numbers and analytics, there’s a story of joy, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit that makes her work truly fun and fulfilling.
Discovering the Fun in Data and Entrepreneurship
Ask Marianne Pelletier what makes her work fun, and she’ll likely respond with a twinkle in her eye: “Data!”
For many, data might seem like a dry, impersonal field. But for Marianne, it’s a playground of endless possibilities. From the thrill of uncovering hidden trends to the satisfaction of streamlining operations, every dataset represents a new adventure.
Marianne has spent most of her career in the nonprofit sector. Even while holding positions at universities, she took on contract work on the side filling the ever growing need for data scientists in the nonprofit sector.
She took the leap in full-time entrepreneurship in 2012 when she co-founded Staupell Analytics Group. The startup journey was not without challenges, but her passion for her work made every hurdle worth it. Despite the occasional struggle, Marianne found joy in her mission to provide data solutions for non-profit organizations.
Passion Fuels Persistence
A significant part of Marianne’s entrepreneurial journey was learning to navigate the challenges of starting a business. She understood the importance of building credibility, especially during the early stages. For her, this meant writing a book on the subject and securing speaking engagements to expand her influence.
Despite the hard work involved, the joy she found in sharing her knowledge and helping others made these endeavors less of a chore and more of a passion project.
Marianne also finds networking important when growing her business. Through her connections, she has been able to secure speaking engagements that helped establish Staupell Analytics Group as a reputable brand in the nonprofit sector.
These experiences were not just about promoting her business—they were also opportunities for her to share her passion for data and inspire others in the field.
Lifelong Learning as a Source of Joy
Another aspect that makes Marianne’s work fun is her commitment to lifelong learning. Whether she’s mastering a new data analysis technique or learning how to do bobbin lace, Marianne’s love for learning keeps her energized and engaged with her work.
This passion for learning extends to her business approach as well. Recognizing the need for more accessible training in data analytics, Marianne and her team developed a range of self-paced courses. For her, the joy of teaching and sharing her knowledge is just as rewarding as the thrill of data analysis.
Final Thoughts
Marianne Pelletier’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the joy and fulfillment that can be found in one’s work. Her passion for data, her commitment to learning, and her enthusiasm for helping others have transformed the often traditionally “boring” world of data analytics into a fun, exciting adventure. But perhaps the most important lesson from her journey is this: When you love what you do, work isn’t just work—it’s fun.
Listen to the full interview with Marianne in this Live Full Work Fun episode below.