MATISSE NELIS CONSULTING Inc.

What MATISSE NELIS CONSULTING Inc. does

Matisse Nelis Consulting Inc. is a privately held, solo-practitioner consultancy founded by Matisse Hamel-Nelis and incorporated in 2023 (with the founder's practice dating to 2014), operating from near Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The firm delivers an integrated portfolio of professional services centered on public relations, strategic communications, and digital accessibility, including media relations, brand messaging and event planning consultancy, accessible WordPress website design built to WCAG 2.2 Level AA standards, keynote speaking engagements, self-paced online training, and a published book co-authored through Kogan Page.

The underlying technology stack is intentionally low-tech and human-centric: WordPress CMS with custom post types, a zero-code content editor, and Core Web Vitals optimization for the web design line; and accessibility expertise rooted in CPACC and Accessible Documents Specialist certifications, plus formal training from Mohawk College (Accessible Media Production) and Cornell University (Diversity and Inclusion). There is no proprietary software platform, API, or AI/ML capability; the firm's value is delivered through the founder's expertise, supplemented by a subcontracted development partner (OGCdigital.com) for web builds and a co-author (Lisa Riemers) for content.

The business model is professional-services based with quote-based, customized pricing following an initial 48-hour inquiry response. Revenue is generated across five streams: consulting retainers, public relations project work, speaking honoraria, self-paced training subscriptions, and web design projects. Distribution relies on inbound demand generated through content marketing (the PR & Lattes podcast and blog), industry conference speaking, professional association leadership (notably IABC), and earned media coverage. The client base is enterprise-oriented and cross-border, with named engagements spanning the US Federal Reserve, PwC Canada, UPS, Edelman, Astellas Pharma, Tilray, and Hotels.com, alongside nonprofit and education clients including CNIB Foundation, Durham College, and Make-a-Wish Canada.

Name

MATISSE NELIS CONSULTING Inc.

Legal name

Matisse Nelis Consulting Inc.

Website

https://matissenelis.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Matisse Nelis Consulting Inc. is a Toronto-area solo consultancy that provides public relations, strategic communications, and digital accessibility consulting, training, accessible web design, and speaking services to enterprise, nonprofit, and education clients across North America and the UK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Relations and Strategic Communications Consulting

NAICS

Public Relations Agencies (541820), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418), Other Management Consulting Services (541618)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital & Technology Transformation Consulting (BPAHACAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Customer Experience (CX) & Digital Experience (BPAHAEAC), DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) & Belonging Consulting (BPAHAGAJ)

Keywords

• Public relations services
• Strategic communications consulting
• Digital accessibility consulting
• Accessible web design
• Communications training

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Consulting Services: Customized consultancy engagements for PR strategy, digital accessibility, brand messaging, and event planning. Quote-based pricing following initial consultation.
2. Public Relations Services: Media relations, strategic storytelling, press release creation, media pitching, media kit creation, media training, content creation, and social media management services.
3. Speaking Engagements: Keynote and session speaking engagements at industry conferences, corporate workshops, and educational seminars. In-person and virtual options available.
4. Training Programs: Self-paced online courses with live virtual check-ins covering accessibility topics. New courses added regularly, including joint courses with subject-matter experts.
5. Web Design Services: Accessible WordPress website design and development. Process includes initial call, discovery, messaging, wireframe, design, development, and launch phases. Post-launch maintenance packages available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Matisse Nelis Consulting is a sole-practitioner communications and digital accessibility consultancy that delivers public relations services, strategic communications consultancy, digital accessibility consulting, accessible WordPress web design, self-paced accessibility training, and speaking engagements. The practice sells customized, quote-based engagements to enterprise and mid-market organizations seeking inclusive, WCAG- and AODA-compliant communications, supported by the PR & Lattes podcast and blog.

Product overview

MATISSE NELIS CONSULTING Inc. is a professional services firm offering an integrated portfolio of communications and accessibility services. The core offerings include Public Relations Services (media relations, strategy and planning, social media, digital accessibility), Consultancy Services (PR, brand messaging, digital accessibility, event planning), and Accessible Web Design (WCAG 2.2 AA compliant WordPress development). Supporting services include Training (self-paced online courses with live check-ins), Speaking Engagements, and the PR & Lattes Podcast & Blog. The company also published the book 'Accessible Communications: Create Impact, Avoid Missteps and Build Trust' co-authored with Lisa Riemers. All services emphasize digital accessibility and inclusive communications as a differentiating focus.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PR & Lattes: A weekly podcast hosted by Matisse Hamel-Nelis where she chats with industry leaders about public relations, communications and marketing topics, accompanied by a blog with monthly articles from various contributors.

Products and services

• Public Relations Services Comprehensive public relations consulting including media relations (press releases, media pitching, media kit creation, media training), strategy and planning (communications planning, strategic planning, internal communications, annual reports), social media (content creation and management), and digital accessibility services (accessible decks, social media audits, accessible documents). For enterprise and mid-market organizations seeking brand visibility and inclusive communications.
• Consultancy Services Strategic consulting services covering public relations, brand messaging, digital accessibility, and event planning to help businesses transform their communications and reach diverse audiences. For organizations seeking tailored strategies and expert guidance on inclusive communications.
• Accessible Web Design Services Accessible WordPress web design services built to WCAG 2.2 Level AA standards, including custom post types, full blog functionality, site security, and Core Web Vitals optimization. Delivered collaboratively with OGCdigital.com for development. For organizations requiring WCAG-compliant websites with built-in content management.
• Training Services (Self-Paced Online Courses) Self-paced online training courses covering accessibility topics including AODA compliance, social media accessibility, accessible web copy, and accessibility masterclasses, with live virtual check-ins for personalized support. For PR professionals, marketers, and content creators seeking to upskill in accessibility and inclusive communications.
• Speaking Engagements Keynote and session speaking services covering public relations, communications, and digital accessibility topics for industry conferences, corporate workshops, and educational seminars. Available in-person and virtually, with international travel requiring 6-month advance notice. For event organizers and conference planners seeking credible voices on PR and accessibility.
• Accessible Communications Book Book co-authored with Lisa Riemers and published by Kogan Page. A practical guide for communicators on creating accessible content including emails, documents, video captions, and inclusive language. For PR and communications professionals seeking to build accessible communications expertise.

Named customers16 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Lisa RiemersflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK-based communications and digital accessibility consultant; co-authored 'Accessible Communications: Create Impact, Avoid Missteps and Build Trust' published by Kogan Page. Brings experience in public sector comms, inclusive design, and digital strategy.
• Kogan PageflagshipOthersPublisher known for forward-thinking, practical books that help professionals grow, lead, and make real impact. Understood that the book was about equity, inclusion, and trust, supporting the vision throughout the publishing process.
• OGCdigital.comcoreTechnology or IntegrationWeb developers who built matissenelis.com and prandlattes.com; collaborative partner for accessible WordPress web design services, handling development while Matisse provides communications, PR, and accessibility expertise.
• IABC/TorontocoreOthersInternational Association of Business Communicators regional chapter. Served as Vice President IDEA (2023-2024), Vice President Communications Marketing & Digital Media (2022-2023), and Director of Communications IDEA Committee (2021-2022).
• IABC (International Association of Business Communicators)coreOthersGlobal professional association for business communicators. Currently serves as Chair Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee (2023-2024). Active member contributing to industry advancement.
• Durham CollegecoreOthersPost-secondary institution where Matisse serves as PR program professor (7+ years) and was PR program coordinator (2021-2022). Subject matter for training and education engagements.
• Whitby Business Improvement AreaminorOthersLocal business organization. Served as member of Communications Committee (2019-2023).
• YWCA DurhamminorOthersNonprofit organization serving women and families. Served as Director (2021-2022).

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Level Access: Digital accessibility consulting and software firm. Comparable on the accessibility consulting dimension, helping organizations meet WCAG, ADA, and Section 508 requirements through advisory services and technology.
• AbleDocs: Digital accessibility specialist firm and prior employer/current collaborator of the founder. Overlaps with Matisse Nelis on accessible communications and WCAG-related services but focuses more narrowly on accessibility audit and remediation.

Broad incumbents

• Edelman: Global public relations and communications firm and existing Matisse Nelis client. Operates across all major PR disciplines including DEI and corporate affairs, but accessibility-specialized communications are a small subset of a much broader portfolio.
• Cossette Communications: Large Canadian communications and marketing agency with full-service advertising, PR, and digital capabilities. Represents the broader incumbent that competes for the same corporate clients across integrated marketing and PR mandates.

Direct peers

• Strategic Objectives: Canadian full-service PR and communications agency. Directly comparable in terms of Canadian-market focus, corporate communications, and integrated PR/brand storytelling offerings.
• Enterprise Canada: Canadian strategic communications and public affairs consultancy. Comparable boutique scale with similar offerings in strategic communications, media relations, and corporate messaging for Canadian enterprises.
• Navigator Ltd: Canadian strategic communications and public affairs firm. Comparable in serving corporate clients with strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and brand messaging in the Canadian market.
• Temple Scott Associates: Canadian boutique communications and public relations agency. Comparable boutique scale, Canadian market focus, and corporate communications/strategic messaging offerings.
• Beattie Tartan: Canadian integrated communications agency offering PR, content, and digital services. Comparable in serving mid-market to enterprise clients with integrated communications solutions in the Canadian market.
• Kaiser & Partners: Canadian strategic communications and public affairs consultancy and existing Matisse Nelis client. Comparable in size and Canadian-market focus, serving corporate clients on strategic messaging, stakeholder engagement, and corporate communications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@matissenelis
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/matisse-nelis-consulting
• Facebookfacebook.com/MatisseNelisConsulting

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MATISSE NELIS CONSULTING Inc.