Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Poindexter
Hi Natalie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story is one with many chapters, filled with unexpected outcomes, risk, faith, growth, and creativity. Before I became an entrepreneur, I spent nearly a decade working in Emergency Medical Services as an EMT. My life revolved around helping people in their greatest time of need. The most profound lesson I learned from this field is that life is constantly changing, often in the most epic and unpredictable ways. While I knew I wouldn’t spend my career in EMS, I always knew my purpose would be to help people.
After EMS, I discovered Public Health—a field that captivated me completely. As the saying goes, “I drank the Kool-Aid.” I truly fell in love with Public Health because it offers endless opportunities to learn, innovate, and create meaningful impact. I am a visionary by nature, with a mind constantly brimming with ideas and solutions. Over the next decade, I honed my skills in Public Health, mastering the art of developing solutions and strategies to solve community and business challenges, while crafting award-winning grant and funding applications.
Today, I am the Founder and Principal of Natalie Poindexter Initiatives, also known as NPI Consulting House. We are a multi-faceted entity that champions global community building, disruptive technology innovation, and sustainable strategic consulting. Our customers range from professionals and business owners to creatives and nonprofits. In our first two years, we have supported grant awards totaling nearly $7 million.
At NPI Consulting House, we have developed a suite of products and tools designed to help small to mid-sized businesses access technical assistance for non-dilutive funding. Beyond that, we are redefining the concept of community to address the loneliness epidemic, improve access to resources for historically underserved populations, and foster culturally supportive and inclusive community engagement. Our team comprises disruptive thought leaders specializing in operations, project management, grant writing and strategy, program planning, and more.
Looking back 20 years, I could never have imagined this is where my life would lead. However, I am immensely proud of the person I have grown to become and the impact I am making through my work.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Ha, oh man, not even close! If anyone thinks my journey has been smooth, they’re quite mistaken. I may appear to have it all together in the moment, but the reality is I was on the struggle bus more often than I care to admit. I vividly remember packing up my life in 2019, driving a moving truck with my car hitched to the back, making the trek from Columbus, OH, to Austin, TX. I moved to a city I had only visited once, with no family or friends, but with one mission—I was going to survive.
Fast forward to December 2024, and here I am—five years in Austin (cue cheering). It has been an absolute rollercoaster of a journey, and I am immensely grateful for the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Lesson 1: Don’t believe for a second that you can do it all on your own. I had to find my community, and discovering people who brought value to my world was transformative.
Lesson 2: Be comfortable with shifting gears. Learning and embracing the concept of “build, ship, iterate” has been invaluable in both my personal and professional life.
Lesson 3: Say yes. Say yes to yourself, yes to opportunities, and yes to being comfortably uncomfortable.
These lessons have shaped me, grounded me, and propelled me forward. Every challenge, every shift, and every ‘yes’ brought me closer to where I am today.
We’ve been impressed with NPI Consulting House, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
NPI Consulting House is a transformative consulting firm dedicated to empowering organizations and individuals to achieve their fullest potential through equity-driven strategies and innovative solutions. We specialize in grant and proposal development, strategic planning, and tailored technical assistance, focusing on helping nonprofits, small businesses, and community organizations access the resources they need to thrive. In just two years, we’ve helped secure nearly $7 million in grant funding for our clients, a testament to our expertise and commitment.
What sets us apart is our holistic, collaborative approach. At NPI, we don’t just offer services; we build partnerships. Our team of disruptive thought leaders excels in operations, project management, program development, and more, working side by side with our clients to design sustainable and impactful solutions. We’re proud to integrate culturally inclusive and community-driven practices into everything we do, addressing systemic barriers and ensuring lasting change.
Our flagship offerings include grant strategy and writing, a suite of tools to support small-to-mid-sized businesses in accessing non-dilutive funding, and innovative approaches to community engagement. We’re not just consultants; we’re changemakers, transforming how businesses and organizations build capacity and make an impact.
At NPI Consulting House, we’re not just helping our clients achieve their goals—we’re redefining what’s possible. Whether you’re a professional, a nonprofit leader, or a business owner, we’re here to help you navigate challenges, unlock opportunities, and create meaningful, lasting success.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I didn’t follow a straight path to get here—more like a winding trail with plenty of detours, but every turn taught me something I didn’t know I needed. From navigating life-and-death situations as an EMT to diving headfirst into public health, I’ve built a life around learning, adapting, and embracing the unexpected. Every challenge became a stepping stone, every failure a lesson, and every success a reminder that resilience isn’t just about surviving—it’s about thriving in the face of uncertainty. My journey proves that the best destinations aren’t always the ones you planned for; they’re the ones you create along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.npiconsultinghouse.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-poindexter-mph-ches/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@npiconsultinghouse
Image Credits
Doogie Roux Photography
Lucero Photography
