Owner, President
Nomiss Communication
Lubbock, TX, USA
Industry: Business Services
Field: Crisis Communications

Communication is a key element to the success of any business. “Knowing your audience and how to target your message to each audience, concisely, is where we come in,” says Kim Davis, owner and president of Nomiss Communication. Ms. Davis has more than 25 years of experience in the public relations arena. A former print reporter, Ms. Davis started her own communications firm in 2005, and over the years, she has successfully promoted clients, gaining regional, statewide and national attention for their endeavors.

Owning a business has been the hardest job Ms. Davis has ever had — she also considers it to be her greatest achievement. She has sustained and thrived in this economy, and continues to advance in her field. At the helm of Nomiss Communication, she offers clients assistance with media strategies and immediate crisis communications, and helps to defend clients’ reputations when necessary. She also takes the time to research companies and carefully plan media campaigns.

In 1988, Ms. Davis earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Texas Tech University. Prior to starting her own business, she served as a public relations director for a major hospital, and now writes for multiple media outlets, from magazines to newspapers, in addition to running Nomiss Communication. She also serves as a marketing chair for a local branch of United Way International, and volunteers for the local chamber of commerce.

Ms. Davis can easily adapt to any situation and attacks things head on in order to figure out how to resolve any issues. She hopes to be remembered as an honest communicator who gave good advice. As she continues to advance in her field, she plans to grow her company and develop a strong clientele outside of Texas.

Conversation with Kim Davis

Worldwide Publishing: On what topics do you consider yourself to be an expert?

Kim Davis: Media relations and crisis communication.

What characteristics help to separate you from your competitors?

Honesty — I am a firm believer in never being called a spin doctor. I think that several people in this industry see a problem and see how they can spin it, but that is not the best way to handle things. My motto is “Mess up, fess up.”

What motivates you?

I am motivated to have the opportunity to get paid to learn and that is what I am able to do every single day in my business. I have so many clients in so many different industries and I truly love being able to talk with any client, learn about their industry and what it is that they do, and help them better communicate what it is that they do. I get paid to learn — that’s motivation to get up out of bed every single day.

What lessons have you learned as a professional in your field?

I have learned to keep it simple, and that being a good listener is often more important than being a good speaker. Ultimately, if you listen well, you will be able to write it well or say it well.

What short-term and long-term career goals are you currently pursuing?

My short-term goal is to bring on a partner and really grow the company. I want to have a legacy that will one day take over the company.

How do you plan to achieve these goals?

I have good business advisors and they are assisting me in bringing on a new partner.

What is the most difficult obstacle or challenge you have faced in pursuit of your goals?

Letting go — the most difficult part is knowing that I need a partner, and someone who is my equal. I know I have a strong personality and it has been MY business for the past nine years, but I know that I need to let go in order to let my business grow. That is very hard for me to grasp, but in order to grow, I have to let go. I am the reputation behind Nomiss Communication and I want to make sure that whoever I bring on continues to maintain that level of integrity that my company has brought to the table.

What is the most significant issue facing your profession today?

There is a constant competition with social media because there are so many people who can jump onto Facebook, twitter or instagram, and become an instant communicator. There is so much information out there that becomes gospel to the average Joe, and it’s hard for most individuals to decipher what is vetted communication and what is farce. That worries me because you can’t just take things at face value.

What are some questions that an individual interested in your services can ask to ensure a more productive relationship?

What types of things do you need to know about my business that can help you know what is newsworthy and what is not? Can you tell me how to better understand how the media chooses what is newsworthy and what is not? I need to know what my clients’ biggest strengths and weaknesses are, and who their biggest competitors are.

Did you ever consider pursuing a different career path or another profession?

I was a print journalist for five years and I thoroughly enjoyed the field. I believe it helped me to be better at what I do now because I know how reporters think and how the media works because I’ve been in those shoes.

What do you find to be the most rewarding aspect of your profession?

The most rewarding part is the professional friendships that I have gained with the clients who I may have just started a project with. My clients are happy with the work I provide and they remain loyal to me.

What is your favorite or least favorite work-related task to do and why?

My favorite task is problem-solving and my least favorite aspect is telling a client that what they feel is newsworthy, isn’t.

Who have been your mentors or people who have greatly influenced you?

My father, Ty Trainor, a marine officer, has served as a mentor to me — he instilled in me a tremendous work ethic. His passion for what he did as a marine and his ability to balance what he did at work with still coming home and being the best dad a girl could ask for taught me that you can be passionate about two things and have balance. He taught me that you could love your career and still compartmentalize and come home and focus on your family.

What changes have you observed in your industry/field since you started?

The onset of social media. There were no cell phones when I started my career.