Owner, Counselor and Business Strategist, Sunitha Lea, LLC

Small but mighty is one of the ways people describe Sunitha Bosecker. As both a licensed mental health counselor and a business strategist, she impacts a lot of individuals and businesses that call Columbia home. 

Armed with a marketing degree, Sunitha worked for Olivet Christian Church, but she felt a calling to help people in a different way, returning to college to earn a master’s in mental health counseling. She worked for Heriford House, Missouri Women’s Business Center, and Ragtag Film Society before hanging out her own shingle.  

“I commonly get asked about being both a licensed counselor and business strategist, as if we should only occupy one professional role,” Sunitha says. “The misconception that someone should only be allowed to explore or embody one role is absurd. I believe humans are multi-faceted and, most importantly, multi-passionate.” 

“She is a wealth of information when it comes to marketing and has an amazing strategic mind. That is the very reason I had her first on my list to hire as a consultant when I launched The COMO 411,” says Adonica Coleman. “She is also an amazing human. She runs a successful counseling practice and always offers up her empathetic ear when approached by friends.” 

As if running her multi-focused company doesn’t keep her busy enough, Sunitha has employed her skills as a volunteer for organizations such as Unbound Book Festival, City of Refuge, The Do Good Collective, the now-defunct Roots and Blues, and the True/False Film Fest, and as member of the Journey Toward Inclusive Excellence Committee and Rotary Club of Downtown Columbia. The energy she brings to whatever she does is palpable.  

“She is intentional in her joy and enthusiasm for meaningful work, and inspires others to bring their best, inclusive selves, while also taking care of themselves,” says Arin Liberman, Ragtag executive director.   

Sunitha is building a better Columbia on multiple fronts. She says that’s what she’s equipped best to do.  

“I think the idea of starting your own business and then offering more than one service is a lofty goal and, at times, makes me question my reality,” she explains. “However, I feel the proudest being about to build something that feels the most aligned with my values and skillset. 

Age: 32 

Fun Fact:

a 2024 COMO Business Times 20 Under 40. Sunitha’s coffee shop name – the one any barista can spell and pronounce – is “Sunny.”