We were lucky to catch up with Jackie Gemein Digital Marketing Strategist & Agency Owner recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jackie Gemein, thank you so much for joining us today and appreciate you talking about a sensitive topic. It’s unfortunately relevant to so many in the community as layoffs have been on the rise recently, and so we’d appreciate hearing your story and how you overcame being let go?
I used to think that if I were the perfect employee, I would never be subject to lay offs. Working in corporate advertising, every company I had worked for had layoffs almost annually. The first time I experienced what a “lay off” day looked like, I was at my first job out of college a few months in. We had an open floor plan in a small office. I heard whisperings, saw empty boxes and people crying. Once I realized what was going on, I sat at my desk for hours waiting and I heard my fellow employees names being called into HR. It was torture. I somehow made it out safe despite being such a rookie. After that, lay offs became routine. Every time a company got acquired, merged, or lost a major account, we knew what was coming. But after 8 years in the industry, I was never laid off myself. I told myself it was because I was such a hard worker. Then, 2 weeks after my maternity leave, at the height of the pandemic, I got the news. The company I worked for was at the brink of bankruptcy from the pandemic and the majority of my team was impacted. I’n fact, after months of having their kids home from school, most of the women on my team were pulling double duty of full time worker and homeschool teacher. Every woman on the marketing team was let go. The only team members they kept, were men. That is when I realized that no matter how hard you work, or how loyal you are to a company, you are not in control. This became the fuel for me to start my own business, where I had control of my future and my family’s future.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a digital marketing strategist, with over a decade of experience working at award-winning agencies on national brands and campaigns. I started my business, Jack & Gem Media, during the pandemic, after the birth of my daughter. I wanted to control what I worked on, and my schedule. I work with all different industries and businesses but I’m passionate about working with small women-owned businesses. I know first-hand how hard it is to run a business and provide a quality service or product, especially as a mom. I am an expert marketer, so promoting my business comes second nature. But for business owners who are not savvy in marketing and advertising, it can be extremely challenging, time consuming and frustrating to act as your own CMO. I love helping business owners feel empowered in growing their business. I also love giving them time back in their busy lives. These clients leave the marketing and advertising to the professional, so they get more time to properly run their business, spend time with loved ones, or do things they enjoy.
This year I launched my Social Starter Pack for small business owners. I recognize that most start-ups and small businesses don’t have the budget for monthly marketing efforts. So I created a solution, that costs less than one month of traditional social media marketing, that allows them to run their social media under the guidance of an expert. It contains the templates and processes I use with my own clients. Along with a full month of social media topics, a custom strategy tailored to their brand and industry, and over 40 social media design templates customized in their brand for them to create a beautiful and professional online presence.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I have always had a “can do” attitude. If I don’t know the answer I will go find it. Not knowing something or starting something new has always been an exciting challenge for me.
I also have had a strong entrepreneurial spirit from the start. I ran my own business in college that expanded to over 60 independent contractors and over 400 clients in a few short years. I love the idea of working in my own terms.
And lastly, I am always searching for more. For my clients, myself and my business. I am a serial learner. Digital advertising is an ever-changing landscape, so you need to stay on top of changes and trends. I am always going after more, coming up with new ideas and learning new things.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I am always looking for people to collaborate with! My goal for 2024 is to be a guest on more podcasts. And to connect with other mom-owned business owners. I also love talking with other industry experts on all things marketing, advertising and social media. I have a pretty unique story of building my business during a global pandemic, with a newborn. My family has had to overcome immense challenges in the last few years. I love sharing my road to starting Jack & Gem, to show other moms what is possible and to also make other business owners feel less alone in their sometimes isolating roles.
Contact Info:
- Website: Jackandgemmedia.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/jackandgemmedia
- Facebook: Facebook.com/jackandgemmedia
- Other: Email: jackie@jackandgemmedia.com
Image Credits
Ashley Pettis Photography
