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Momentous Self-Employment
Dr. Lydia Hughes-Evans is the Founder & CEO of Pure Momentum Consulting, LLC located in El Cerrito, California. For the past 13 years, Pure Momentum Consulting has provided non-profit management and operations support. PMC’s core values are Integrity, Performance, and Results, and that’s what unites them as a team and allows them to help other organizations be successful.
When and why did you join the NASE?
I joined NASE in June, 2020 because of the vast variety of benefits, grant opportunities, practical support, and governmental advocacy that NASE provides small business owners.
What inspired you to enter the field you are in?
I’ve worked in education, nonprofit and business settings, but no matter where I was, what mattered to me most was efficient systems and effective people. When I learned about Organizational Development, it all came together for me! I choose to practice my consulting magic with nonprofits because they’re solving big problems with very limited resources, and that is where efficient systems and effective people shine the most.
When and why did you start your business?
I started my business in 2006, and it originally provided academic tutoring to K-12 students, along with small business advising for owners. The original impetus for starting my business was that I wanted to utilize all of my gifts and talents under one roof.
How do you market your business?
We primarily use LinkedIn & Facebook to market our business.
What challenges have you faced in your business?
One of the biggest challenges has been keeping a constant pipeline of prospective clients. We’ve historically lacked a consistent, repeatable, and profitable marketing and communications plan, although we’ve tried a variety of different strategies. This gap became even more evident during COVID. At the beginning of this year, I hired a Marketing & Communication Specialist, and also partnered with a digital marketing specialist through my local Small Business Development Center (SBDC). This has led to a complete overhaul of our value proposition, marketing message, and digital presence and engagement. I’m now confident that we’re laying the foundations for a sustainable future, which will enable us to continue serving nonprofits and positively impacting our communities.
Do you have any employees?
Yes, I have a wonderful Team! I have 4 part time employees, who bring a wealth of support and resources to our clients. I couldn’t do what I do without them.
What’s your schedule like, what’s a typical day for you?
A typical day for me is meetings in the mornings, and deep diving into client project work in the afternoon, with some business development sprinkled in between. As a business owner, I’m always working both in and on my business, simultaneously!
What’s the best thing about being self-employed?
The best thing about being self-employed is the freedom to practice all of my passions and talents under one roof! I also love that I’m not tethered to a location, a work schedule, or a set of operating methodologies. I can use the most pertinent strategies and tools at my disposal, to help solve my client’s challenges. Lastly, I love the impact that we are making in the community. Helping a nonprofit to keep their doors open, retain their staff, and continue to provide much needed services? That’s what it’s all about for me.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received from a client?
“From the moment Dr. Lydia started working with our team, she was able to engage, encourage, and inspire. Her deep knowledge and positive energy won immediate buy-in from staff members, and the result has been that the goals we set together have felt clear and achievable all along the way”.
What’s the most important piece of advice you would give to someone starting their own business?
Be committed to learning: reading, podcasts, webinars, networking events, industry conferences, colleague masterminds, etc. Your business will only grow as much as you do.