Monthly Public Health Consultant Spotlight: LaTonya Bynum, MPH, CHES®
Each month, I will introduce you to a public health consultant or entrepreneur and they will share their path to self-employment and outline key pieces of advice for aspiring business owners.
Today we welcome LaTonya Bynum from Conway, Arkansas!
1. Please share your educational background and business title/name.
My name is LaTonya Bynum. I have over 20+ years of combined experience in Retail Sales, Public Health and Health Information Technology. Professional preparation includes:
Masters of Public Health (MPH): Health Policy and Management
Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Public Health (CertPH): Health Disparities
Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
Certificate in Public Health (CertPH): Leadership & Surveillance Systems
Bachelors of Science (BS): Community Health Education and Spanish
I am the Founder, Owner and Principal Consultant of U.R.A. Resource Center, LLC, a public health consulting firm specializing in creative/technical writing, research analysis and public speaking.
To date, I have created 9 distinct programs (Book Authorship, Public Speaker, CHES Exam Preparation, Grants, Consultant, Resources, Social Media Influencer, Resume and Internship/Mentorship) servicing over 400+ clients, 20+ organizations, 4 interns and 20+ mentees.
2. Tell us how you entered the field of public health and what your education and work experience was prior to consulting.
After undergraduate school, I earned my first role at the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) as a document examiner also known as secretary. Prior to working for the state, I was a cashier at several grocery stores: Price Cutter, Walmart and Kroger. These early retail experiences in customer service, store policy/procedures and sales prepared me well for public health. My first professional job at the health department allowed me to master technical skills in SAS, Excel and Word to document, track, manage, analyze and monitor Hospital Discharge data for state-level and hospital-based prevention programs. After two years of service with the state, I leveraged these early experiences to earn my first professional role as the Arkansas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Coordinator where I was tasked with managing and promoting the use of BRFSS data for needs assessment and program planning. Throughout my 13 years of public health experience at ADH, I held several survey coordinator/analyst positions which furthered my consultant specialty in writing, research analysis and public speaking.
3. When did you start consulting/business and what were your motivations for pursuing self-employment?
My initial motivation was to creatively supplement my day job income to pay off my $10,000 of college loan debt. I established U.R.A. Resource Center, LLC in January 2017 after a public health leader in Wyoming asked me to serve as a speaker/data analyst earning my first $3,000 contract. I started my consulting business in three days after this request: I called Score Mentors of Little Rock, Arkansas to understand the process for starting a consulting business in Arkansas. The Score Mentors are a non-profit organization of veteran business owners who mentor aspiring entrepreneurs with solid business advice. Their advisor led me through the process of how to decide on a business name, file for my LLC, file for my no-cost TAX ID, set up my first business checking account and finally develop my first invoice template with my company logo. It took me two days to pray about what my business name should be. On day two, it dawned on me as I thought back at what everyone used to tell me at the health department. Everyone that worked with me said “URA Resource LaTonya”.
4. Who is your ideal client? What services do you offer?
My ideal client/organization is a public health leader (student, graduate, professor, professional, entrepreneur and organizational leaders) seeking one of my top selling products/services or partnership opportunities:
(1) Resume, CV and Cover Letter: no-cost courtesy reviews are provided to assist potential clients with identifying their Top 10 Common Resume, CV and cover letter mistakes. This consultation provides immediate feedback on areas of concern and ways to better market highly valued public health skills and experience. For more resume tips, visit www.latonyabynum.com/resume
(2) Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) Study Preparation: a 15-week e-course is provided to aspiring CHES who are planning to sit for the April or October exam. Mentorship is the key to understanding and applying the terminology in preparing for the exam. The key is to assist students in mastery of the 7 areas of responsibility for CHES, time management and test anxiety. For more CHES Exam tips, visit www.latonyabynum.com/ches-exam
(3) Book: the Tools for Career Success: 101 Answers to FAQs about Public Health is a self-published compilation of two years of social media research. I wrote my first book using social media metrics based on LinkedIn and Facebook engagement, comments and shares. To date, I have sold over 500+ copies using several creative marketing strategies. For an autographed copy of the book or bulk ordering for organizational staff/partners, visit www.latonyabynum.com/book
5. What is your favorite type of project to work on and why?
My favorite type of project work is working with platinum level clients on their resume, CV and cover letter documents and walking them through the LaTonya Bynum Technique:
Top 10 Phases of Successfully Transitioning from a Job Mindset to the Consulting Mindset –
10. Self Reflection
9. Reinvention
8. Documentation
7. Application/Recruitment
6. Salary/Offer/Negotiation
5. Training Opportunity
4. Resourcefulness
3. Achievement
2. Resilience/Resistance and
1. Mentorship.
Bonus: Refer to #1
I really enjoy hearing the aha moments at the end of conversations with my client after I ask the question “What are three key take-aways from today’s conversation?” This question empowers clients in identifying their untapped potential and equips them with creative ways to use widely available no-cost resources: LinkedIn.com, Train.org and ExplorerHealthCareers.org
6. Many of our readers are considering a career as a self-employed public health consultant or entrepreneur. What is your best piece of advice for those considering or just starting out?
After exactly three years of business experience, I have the following advice in my favorite Top 10 Fashion. Things I Wish I Would Have Known in January 2017 When I Started My Business:
10. Work on the business as much as you work on client projects
9. Start where you are with $200 to set-up the LLC, a laptop and a dream
8. Set your prices per hour and per project based on market rates on glassdoor.com and payscale.com
7. Track and document exactly how many hours you are spending on a client’s or organization’s project. You may need to raise your prices or hire a team to assist.
6. Connect with people who are smarter than you and have specialized skills in an area that complements your weaknesses.
5. Set daily revenue goals and have your family members to keep you accountable
4. Write your first self-published book if and when you find yourself saying the same things over and over
3. Identify your best business referral sources and nurture those relationships
2. Under promise and over-deliver every time
1. Be yourself and take your supportive friends/family along for the ride. Their word of mouth will be your best business marketing tool
Bonus: Eat to sustain energy and no longer eat for comfort!
7. How can readers connect with you?
Readers can connect with me via my website, blog, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, SoundCloud podcast, newsletter and online CHES e-course.