Starting a business is a journey filled with passion, perseverance, and unexpected challenges. Suku Consulting & Referral Services, L.L.C., a firm dedicated to serving small businesses and local groups, understands this firsthand. Join us as we chat with founder, Brownette Suku about her business journey, the valuable lessons they’ve learned, and the unique, client-centered approach that defines their work.

Q: What inspired you to start Suku Consulting & Referral Services, L.L.C. and focus on serving small businesses and local groups?

A: I’ve always been business-minded, largely because of life’s circumstances. Over time, I learned that business ownership is a path to freedom, though it comes with its fair share of challenges. The COVID crisis really pushed me to take the leap and figure out what kind of business I wanted to start. I realized how much I enjoy helping people improve the quality of their lives and their businesses. I also discovered that I work best directly with people, which made business consulting the perfect niche for me.

Q: Were you given any business advice when you were starting out?

A: Not really. In the beginning, I kept my plans private because I wanted them to manifest without outside influence. I believe you have to be careful about who you share your ideas with. Too much advice can sometimes do more harm than good, especially if you’re someone who absorbs every suggestion. It’s easy for others to unintentionally project their own fears onto you, and I didn’t want that to shape my decisions.

Q: How do you ensure your services remain client-centered and tailored to individual needs?

A: Each client is unique and often operates in a different industry, so I start by actively listening to their needs, goals, and challenges. I encourage them to be as clear and detailed as possible so I can fully understand their vision. From there, I customize my strategies and recommendations to align with their specific objectives, ensuring the services I provide are truly client-centered and relevant to their situation.

Q: What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced since starting the business, and how did you overcome them?

A: That’s a great question! One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced has been determining the right pricing for my services. As a small business owner, I understand the struggles many of my clients face, and that often made me more empathetic and sometimes too flexible with my pricing. Over time, I had to step back, analyze my costs, time, and value, and create a pricing structure that’s fair to clients but also sustainable for my business. This allowed me to serve clients effectively without undervaluing my work.

Q: Have there been any sacrifices that you’ve made in starting or running your business?

A: I’ve made many sacrifices, and I know there will be more as my business grows. Financially, I’ve invested heavily using income from my 9-to-5 job to fund my business in its early stages, which often means starting from zero. I’ve also sacrificed personal time, missing friends’ and family events so I could attend business summits, networking events, and other opportunities to grow my brand. While it hasn’t always been easy, every sacrifice has been worth it for the progress I’ve made.

Q: What are some services that Suku Consulting & Referral Services, L.L.C. offers, and what are some of the benefits of working with your business?

A: Suku Consulting & Referral Services, L.L.C. offers a range of services, including:

• Business startup support: helping clients register, legalize, and structure their businesses.
• Business development & growth strategies: identifying opportunities, building partnerships, and creating actionable plans.
• Grant & funding assistance: guiding clients through research, eligibility, and application processes.
• Marketing & visibility: social media content planning, event promotion, and branding support.
• Training & workshops: providing resources and education to strengthen business skills.

Benefits of working with Suku Consulting & Referral Services, L.L.C. include personalized one-on-one guidance, access to industry resources and connections, realistic and results-driven strategies, and a supportive partner who is invested in your success. Clients not only gain professional expertise but also someone who will help open doors to opportunities they may not have found on their own.

Q: Could you describe a successful case where you helped a client or small business?

A: I’ve had several successes this year, but two stand out. One was helping an established business get back on track with compliance, ensuring they met all necessary requirements and avoided potential setbacks. Another was boosting visibility for a client by facilitating strategic partnerships, securing opportunities for them to participate in tabling events, and enhancing their presence through consistent social media content.

Q: How do you stay current with the latest trends in consulting to best serve your clients?

A: I stay current by regularly attending training sessions, workshops, summits, and business events, which keep me informed about new strategies, industry changes, and best practices. I also network with other professionals, follow reputable industry publications, and participate in online communities to continuously expand my knowledge and bring fresh, relevant insights to my clients.

Q: How do you measure the success of your clients’ growth and your own business’s performance?

A: This is one I’ve learned to approach differently for my clients versus my own business.

For my clients, I define success as providing them with the resources, insights, and visibility they didn’t have before. What they choose to do with that information is ultimately up to them. For example, if a client’s goal is to build community partnerships, I’ll initiate conversations with other providers, schedule meetings, and offer opportunities for them to participate in vendor or networking events. That’s success on my part. When they follow through, build those relationships, and actively engage, that’s their success.

For my own business, I measure success by achieving—or at least making significant progress toward—my quarterly goals. For instance, in Quarter 2, I successfully helped a client legalize their business and attended a major business networking event, both of which aligned with my growth objectives.

Q: How do you manage client expectations, especially for services with negotiable pricing, such as funding assistance?

A: I manage client expectations by being transparent from the start. If an expectation doesn’t align with the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based), it’s not realistic, and I communicate that clearly.

Funding is a challenge in nearly every industry, so I focus on helping clients identify their niche and understand the market realities. I also stay informed about current policies, grants, and other funding sources to give them accurate guidance. While non-profits typically have more access to grants than for-profits, I highlight other potential revenue streams such as sponsorships, partnerships, fundraising events, and strategic collaborations that can bring in funds and support their goals.

Q: How can the community support your business?

The community can support my business through word of mouth and recommending my services to family, friends, and colleagues. They can also support Suku Consulting & Referral Services, L.L.C. through engaging with my social media channel by liking, commenting and sharing my posts to increase visibility.

Learn more about Suku Consulting & Referral Services, L.L.C. and all of the services that this business offers by visiting https://www.suku-consulting.com