James Loving started Loving Consulting in 2006 as a simple business consulting firm, so he could help small companies be more profitable faster. He helped answer questions they didn’t even know to ask yet, as well as created marketing plans that gained them maximum exposure in front of targeted audiences, quickly launching them to the forefront in their fields—even against bigger, tougher competitors.
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James Loving
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What surprised James and some of his first clients was that the services these businesses needed either weren’t very accessible or weren’t available at all, particularly in the areas of social media, tradeshows, and graphic design. What his clients really needed was help putting all their marketing pieces together and executing the marketing plan. That’s when he started expanding his services to fill in the missing gaps and to make his clients’ lives a little easier.
Since then, James has been a U.S. sales manager for an international manufacturing company, has worked for or run several big corporations, and has managed large national tradeshows, such as CES (the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow) and InfoComm (information communications). When he served as an Honorary Chairman of the Business Advisory Council, he received the National Leadership Award from the U.S. Senate.That’s also when James’ extensive business background really came into play. James started his first company at only 16—a D.J. company that played for high school dances and parties. When he asked his grandpa for the money to start the company, his grandpa made him write a business plan and create a repayment schedule. It’s a lesson James remembers to this day, which is why his grandpa is one of his most influential business role models. Richard Branson is his other role model.
His clients have ranged from small start-ups to large corporations, including AT&T, Goo Systems Global, Robinson’s Plumbing Service, and Design Media Group.
In addition to Loving Consulting, James owns and runs Break Point Media Group, a media firm that acquires and manages media companies,giving his clients immediate access to a number of desirable local Richmond markets. Break Point Media Group also gives James another outlet for supporting local businesses by providing them with affordable promotional outlets. Break Point wants to make sure consumers and businesses have a way of finding each other easily.
James believes that the key to success lies in helping others find success. This belief guides the work he does. He works as hard for his clients as he does for himself—if not harder. His belief also led to the creation of the Loving Collective, a group that works to strengthen the Greater Metro Richmond community by strengthening the businesses that make up this community. When businesses are strong, they can hire more people and give back to the community—and then everyone benefits. Working cooperatively, businesses and communities can accomplish more as a group than they can individually.
The Loving Collective hosted a monthly networking social, where businesses, individuals in job transition, and featured charities could meet each other and pool their resources and talents. James has also taken a leading role in helping job seekers by donating time and training to the Workforce Training Center.
James regularly works pro bono to support many important local causes and charities. He sits on the Board of Directors for the Byrd Theatre Foundation, a foundation dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the historic Byrd Theatre, which is a cornerstone of the Richmond cultural scene. He also serves on the Foundation’s marketing committee. James enjoys surfing, hiking, photography, running, and snowboarding. In the end, everything he does is really just to support his deep appreciation for and love of coffee and to fund his habit of supporting local businesses and causes.
