Meet Niki Lomibao of Desert Blue Consulting & Coaching in Laveen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Niki Lomibao.

Niki, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
There are so many experiences that have led me to starting Desert Blue Consulting and Coaching! It starts with growing up in a military family. My dad was in the Army so I spent much of my childhood in Germany and then moving every few years from there. I believe my comfort with change and adaptability really comes from this experience.

After high school, I started my career as an Executive Assistant where I mastered project management and organization skills which are some of my core skills to this day. That foundation made me able to balance so many different aspects of my life. When I was 26, married and had two daughters still in diapers, I finally decided I wanted to pursue secondary education. I transferred from Rio Salado Community College to Arizona State University where I received my Bachelor’s degree in United States History and Cultural Geography. Cultural Geography really opened my eyes to cultural aspects and geo-politics and how they relate to the diaspora of people.

While in school, I worked in the nonprofit sector and really became aware of social issues in our community. I began volunteering with various organizations in South Phoenix, including the Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council. Working in talent development and leadership professionally, as a Girl Scout leader, I found a passion for developing young women to be successful leaders.

Eventually, my professional journey naturally had taken a turn into Human Resources and Talent Development, which sparked my interest in developing others to be their best. I enrolled in and completed my Master’s degree in Organizational Development and Leadership from Fielding Graduate University in 2018. The journey from my Associate’s to graduating with my Master’s degree took me ten years straight, even summers, and I worked a full-time job the entire time. I’m extremely proud of being a first-generation college graduate.

I started Desert Blue Consulting & Coaching as a side hustle in 2018. Over the past few years, I’ve slowly put things in place to make this my full-time career. I left my full-time job in November 2019 and now all my experiences and education enable me to provide coaching and training to small businesses and youth organizations to help others reach their ultimate potential.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There’s definitely been struggles along the way, but I believe I’ve been able to use those experiences to grow and learn. Being able to balance what I do as a volunteer and what expertise and services I should be paid for is a struggle, especially as a servant leader. To make my business a true business, I’ve leaned on a great circle of entrepreneurs as thought-partners, brainstormers, and motivators. I’ve also learned to seek out experts for areas I know I need to develop in (hello sales!). These fellow solo-entrepreneurs and friends have truly become my co-workers in my business.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Desert Blue Consulting & Coaching – what should we know?
Desert Blue Consulting & Coaching supports small businesses and people to reach their Ultimate Potential. I have a simple framework of helping others discover their why, create goals and build strategies. I’m currently in a graduate certificate program for Evidence-Based Coaching, which blends research-based theory and models and the coach’s use of self to create an effective coaching relationship. With my background in organizational development and leadership, I can help small business owners and people focus on creating realistic goals and milestones to further their business and/or development. Being a small business owner myself, I know that it can be a lonely journey. A coach can help the owner clarify their vision and how it fits into their overall goals. By having this partnership, you have someone who’s on your side and can help you evaluate where you’re at, where you want to be, and reflect on how to get there. What I’m most proud of is my ability to build meaningful community partnerships with organizations that serve underrepresented and underserved communities. In addition to my own clients, I am also a program partner for Girl Scouts, a Business Advisor with Prestamos CDFI, an adjunct professor with University of Dubuque LIFE Tempe, and a Director for the South Mountain and Laveen Chamber of Commerce. Community is one of my personal and company core values and where I feel I can make the most impact.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I always tell clients that if you want to be successful in business or life, you should surround yourself with mentors, motivators and advocates. I’ve had so many amazing people in my life that have contributed to my success. My husband and two teenage daughters are my biggest supporters. I’ve also had past managers and mentors who provided me with stretch opportunities, challenged me, advocated for me and gave me space to fail. Thankfully, my ease with pivoting and adapting quickly never kept me down for long. I bounced back quickly and always took the opportunity to learn from it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.desertblueaz.com
• Phone: 951-265-8467
• Email: niki@desertblueaz.com
• Instagram: @desertbluecoaching
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desertblueaz

Image Credit:
Radiant Sol Photography

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