Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Jackson.
Victoria, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My story started off like many people post-grad: feeling over-ambitious and under-utilized.
I studied public relations and marketing in college, and my intention was to work for a top-ranked global PR agency, like Edelman or FleishmanHillard. I even made plans to move to a big market like LA or NYC.
As you can probably imagine though, that plan did NOT happen. I ended up moving back to Houston and taking on small roles doing digital communications for local organizations. I felt like I had no control over the trajectory of my career or the ability to choose the projects I really wanted to work on. I also had a bunch of potential I felt no one was seeing and lots of skills, such as design and creative strategy, that were going dormant.
So, I started a personal website and blog where I chronicled my story as an up and coming professional, as well as shared insight and tips on marketing, social media, and digital strategy. I’d also been designing graphics and websites for years, mostly as a side hustle, so I shared my design work there too. It was a space I owned, with zero limitations from anyone else.
Eventually, people began to notice, and I started receiving email inquiries from people wanting to hire me. From there I started freelancing as a social media and digital PR specialist for a few amazing firms, corporations, and startups. Even though the “dream companies” I applied to originally didn’t see my talents, others did. I finally found a desirable path towards my future.
All of this led me to start Reinvented Marketing, my boutique branding, and marketing studio. I literally created my own dream job. Now through my work, I’m able to help other women who have talents, passions, products, and services that no one else is seeing, do the exact same thing.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been anything but smooth! Starting a business is fun and inspiring, but actually running it is a totally different story. Some of my struggles have been competing for contracts against bigger companies who have been in business longer than I’ve been alive, feeling confident enough to charge my worth, and the day to day stresses of working with clients, bookkeeping, taxes, legal, communication, sales — all the things.
I also didn’t start off with a huge savings or well-off parents to fall back on. I had no real safety net. So that can also be mentally and emotionally taxing. You always have those thoughts like, “what am I going to do if this actually doesn’t work out?”
My advice to women who want to build a business or pursue full-time entrepreneurship is to take things slowly. You don’t have to quit your job tomorrow. In fact, having a job will give you the resources and security to build an even better business. Be confident in what you offer. No one will ever pay you more than what you think you’re worth. Find a niche and pick the lane you can be the best in. And always give yourself the grace to know that you are trying your best.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Reinvented Marketing – what should we know?
I own Reinvented Marketing, a branding studio for women-owned businesses, specializing in brand identity design, web design, and digital marketing. I love helping entrepreneurial women gain more confidence in their business to generate new sales online.
I’m the proudest when one of my clients accomplishes a sales goal, attracts new opportunities, or simply feels better and more at ease about their business as a result of my work. I’m only successful if my clients are successful.
Although I specialize in branding and marketing as a skill, the core of my business is actually customer service, and I think that sets me apart from a lot of other professionals and agencies.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
I suggest joining local organizations and attending meetups and events to organically meet new people and mentors. You can even join online communities on Facebook and LinkedIn relevant to your industry.
The best relationships I’ve built happened organically, so you have to put yourself out there and let people see you.
Contact Info:
- Website: reinventedmarketing.com
- Email: info@reinventedmarketing.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/_thecapitalv
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/thecapitalv
- Other: www.instagram.com/reinventedmktg
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