We recently connected with Jeff Hulett and have shared our conversation below.

Jeff, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

From 2007-2016 I worked my way up from intern to Communications Manager at an incredible faith-based Memphis nonprofit called Church Health. I honestly thought I’d never leave, but the universe had other ideas, as it does from time to time. From there I got what I thought was my dream job promoting the city I love with Memphis Tourism. Let’s just say it wasn’t a good fit and just soon as I got my feet on the ground, I began to plotting my escape. I had always gravitated towards using my talents to earn extra income via different side hustles like music, freelance writing, etc., but I had never thought about starting my own business. Then I heard from a friend that Playback Memphis, an amazing local nonprofit focused on developing community based, culturally responsive, transformative tools for social healing and community well-being, elevating Memphis as a national model for the transformative power of Applied Playback Theatre was looking for a freelance contractor to support them with their PR and communications needs. Honestly, it sounded perfect and would bring me back to my nonprofit roots. I got the gig and was hired for 20 hours a week. I knew I was going to take a major pay cut, but I also knew this was the right thing to do. Thankfully, I had been saving money and had a wonderful support system in my family and friends rooting me on. I’m forever grateful to Playback Memphis for taking a chance on me. While they aren’t one of my regular clients today, I still support them from time to time. They were and are a major catalyst for me to grow and develop my business.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

For those who don’t know me, I’m a huge Memphis homer and will defend our beautifully creative and diverse city forever. I got my start professionally with Church Health where I worked for more than 8 years. From there I spent some time as Public Relations Director for Memphis Tourism, and for the last 6 years I’ve been running my own small business – Jeff Hulett PR – where I support local nonprofits with their messaging, strategy and storytelling. I’m also a very active Memphis musician in several bands including my own where I sing, play guitar and write songs. Working with nonprofits is incredibly rewarding because in most cases I have the opportunity to serve as their defacto communications person. You can really learn a brand, mission and vision that way and in my opinion the only way to support and serve a client is to get in the weeds with them so you can truly understand what they do and why they do it.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

They say it’s all about who you know, and I can’t disagree with that. Most of my clients have come from introductions from friends, family, existing clients and old colleagues. Sometimes it blows me away, but I’m grateful to be connected. I also try and reach out to nonprofits that align with my values to see if they need support with PR, content creation, messaging support, etc. I try and cast a wide net and of course networking helps.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think the work I had previously done at Church Health and Memphis Tourism as well as boards I have served on have helped me. My kids always ask, “how do you know so many people?” I tell them it’s probably from music, my work with nonprofits or living in small, big town like Memphis. I just try to be friendly, positive and helpful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jeffhulettpr.com/
• Instagram: @dad_onarrival
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeff.hulett.7
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hulettj/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffHulett
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJtzoy54N8ryaI0oPNBbJhQ