Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jessica Gruber. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jessica, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
My work ethic was shaped by my upbringing and the example set by my parents. My mother was a dedicated nurse who worked night shifts, and my father ran his own landscape shop. We lived on what most would call a small ranch, with rabbits, horses, chickens, cats, dogs, and bees. Caring for the animals wasn’t optional—they relied on us for everything. Every morning, no matter the weather—freezing cold or pouring rain—my sisters and I were up early, feeding and tending to them.
It was also on that ranch where my entrepreneurial journey began—and no, it definitely wasn’t your typical lemonade stand. My sister and I started our first business as beekeepers. We managed several hives, and every summer, we would extract honey and sell it to a local health food store. That process was no small feat. The extractor we used was manual—not the electric ones you see today—which meant hours of hard, physical work cranking the barrel to separate the honey.
Through that experience, we learned the fundamentals of running a business: managing profit and expenses, deciding how much we could reinvest, and finding creative solutions, like sourcing honey from other local apiaries when our hives couldn’t keep up with demand. It was a crash course in perseverance, resourcefulness, and financial management, and it laid the foundation for the work ethic and entrepreneurial mindset I carry with me to this day.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My professional focus for the past 10+ years has been on building my web design agency, Buzzworks—Super, Sticky, Sweet Websites. Before launching Buzzworks, I worked at ad agencies, both big and small, and quickly realized the traditional agency lifestyle wasn’t for me. The long hours and constant demands didn’t align with the life I envisioned for myself. I also knew I wanted a family, and being the mom I aspired to be just wasn’t going to happen while working for someone else. So, I took the leap and started my own business.
When people hear I own a web design agency, many assume it’s just me designing websites. They’re often surprised when I explain that I have a team behind me. I love what I do because websites combine so many aspects that I’m passionate about—SEO, creativity, branding, and strategy. It takes everything I’m strong at and puts it on one platform.
Interestingly, my early years as a beekeeper influenced my approach to web design and business. As a kid, my sister and I managed several beehives, extracting honey and selling it to a local health food store. Beekeeping taught me patience, attention to detail, and the importance of creating systems that work harmoniously together—just like a well-optimized website does for a business. Websites, much like beehives, require careful planning, collaboration, and constant adaptation to thrive. That foundation continues to guide my approach today.
During the early years of raising my kids, I focused on taking on projects that worked around my life as a mom. Not every project was ideal, but it brought in the income we needed while giving me the flexibility to prioritize my family. Careers will always be there, but kids grow up in the blink of an eye, and I wasn’t willing to miss those moments.
Once my youngest started grade school, I decided it was time to pick up the pace with my business. That’s when I discovered networking. I networked my way into various circles until I found **Success Champion Networking (SCN), a B2B networking platform.** What stood out to me about SCN was their approach—networking wasn’t the end goal; it was just one part of a broader business development strategy.
In my first year with SCN, I was a member, learning the ropes and immersing myself in the community. By my second year, I was leading a group as president, where I built one of the largest virtual networking groups within the organization. Seeing the impact this had, SCN asked me to train others on how to grow networking groups that genuinely help build businesses. Over time, I took on more responsibilities, and today I serve as the COO of SCN.
I’m especially passionate about SCN because it helped me find my voice again as a leader and a businesswoman after years of taking a backseat to focus on my family. It reignited my confidence and reminded me of the impact I can make—not just in my own business but in helping others succeed as well.
Now, I wear two hats: I’m the CEO of Buzzworks and the COO of SCN. Both roles are deeply fulfilling because I get to see firsthand how these tools—websites and networking—are transformative for businesses. Helping entrepreneurs and professionals grow their companies through effective business development isn’t just my job—it’s my passion. It’s exciting to know that what I do helps others succeed and creates a lasting impact on their businesses.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. You Can’t Do It All – Build Your Team
No one builds a legacy alone. Whether it’s outsourcing, contracting, babysitters, friends, or family, find your support system to help you succeed. Entrepreneurship can be incredibly lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. Surround yourself with advisors, mentors, and peers who understand your journey and can offer guidance. Your “team” isn’t just for delegation; they are your sounding board, cheerleaders, and lifeline when things get tough. Finding your people is one of the best investments you can make in yourself and your business.
2. Move on Your Ideas – Believe in Yourself
Ideas don’t create impact when they stay locked in your head. You have to take action, even if it means breaking things along the way. Don’t be afraid to try, fail, and learn. If you want others to believe in you and your vision, you need to believe in yourself first. Confidence isn’t built overnight—it’s a muscle you develop by showing up, taking risks, and learning from the process.
3. Work and Scale at Your Own Pace
Don’t feel pressured to grow or scale on someone else’s timeline. I studied under some amazing digital marketers and coaches, and while their advice was valuable, I realized I needed to work at a pace that aligned with my priorities. At one point, I even dropped out of a program because the push to scale didn’t match my life goals. If I had followed their timeline, I might have made more money sooner, but I would have missed out on precious moments with my kids. Scaling a business isn’t just about financial success—it’s about creating a life that aligns with your values.
My Advice for Those Starting Out:
Find Your People: Build a network of support—mentors, advisors, and peers who lift you up and help you grow.
Take Action: Don’t let fear or perfectionism hold you back. Every step forward, even a messy one, is better than standing still.
Honor Your Pace: Stay true to your priorities and grow in a way that works for you. Success is not a race; it’s a journey.
Your path is yours to create, and it’s okay if it doesn’t look like anyone else’s.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
In the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been finding my voice and realizing that if I speak, people will listen. When I first started reentering the business world, even a 30-second intro in front of 20 people left me shaking. Public speaking was one of my biggest fears, as it is for so many.
Being an introvert at heart—a high C on the DISC spectrum—I’ve often struggled with finding the right words. But I pushed myself to get out there, and the results have been transformative. One of my proudest accomplishments was leading a 2.5-hour training session at the Badass Business Summit this year. I’ve also grown a monthly happy hour series to the point where venues now invite us to host our events at their locations, recognizing the following we bring.
Traveling and supporting the Champions Summit has also been an area of growth, teaching me that the only limits on opportunities are the ones we place on ourselves. No one is going to create opportunities for you—you have to take the leap and make them happen.
Today, I can confidently step on a stage and embrace the moment, knowing I’ve earned my place there. It’s a powerful realization that has reshaped how I approach challenges and opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://buzzwks.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-gruber/
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