Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Howell.
Hi Jessica, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I didn’t begin my career with a background in marketing or formal training in the field. It actually started while I was training for a duathlon with my sister. To pass the time during long treadmill runs, I began up-skilling by watching YouTube videos on coding and website building. What started as a way to stay entertained and learn a new skill quickly turned into something I genuinely loved.
As I continued learning and building sites, I realized I was especially drawn to the branding, design, and storytelling aspects of digital experiences. I began freelancing, working closely with clients to bring their brands to life online.
A few years into my business, I noticed that while clients loved the websites we created together, many needed support beyond that—paid media, social media, and cohesive marketing strategies to help them grow. That realization led to the launch of Elevate X Marketing, a small boutique marketing firm.
Around the same time, I met Brittany Hulin, and we immediately clicked. She joined as our Director of Digital Marketing and Strategy, and together we’ve continued to grow the firm. As we approach our second-year anniversary this February, we’ve stayed grounded in creating luxury, premium branding and marketing for clients across all industries.
We’re proud of the quality of work we produce and the relationships we build. We intentionally operate as a boutique agency—Brittany and I handle every account ourselves, allowing us to be selective, hands-on, and deeply invested in the clients we partner with.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges for me was navigating the pressure to grow quickly—building a larger team, managing training, and expanding operations—while still maintaining the level of quality and care I wanted for our clients. For a while, it felt like I was caught between scaling and staying true to what made the work enjoyable and meaningful.
I’m incredibly thankful for Brittany, our Director of Digital Marketing and Strategy, and the partnership we’ve built. We’re fully aligned in our vision for the company, and over the past two years, that alignment has helped us navigate challenges while continuing to push forward. As we’ve evolved, we’ve realized that we can deliver the quality, strategy, and execution of a large agency without becoming one or losing our core mission. Choosing that direction, however, has been the challenge we’ve been navigating since year one and entering into year two, having shared clarity, has allowed us to confidently embrace a boutique, hands-on approach and truly enjoy the process along the way.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
About ELEVATE x Marketing (my company):
Jessica Martin-Howell is the founder and owner of ELEVATE x Marketing, a boutique digital marketing firm based in Houston.
Jessica’s firm has earned top industry recognition, including finalist and winner honors at the AMA Houston Crystal Awards.
A couple other notes about Jessica:
She has been featured in Women Thrive Magazine for her contributions to marketing and entrepreneurship and was named to the KNOW Women 2025 Inaugural Houston Edition: 50 Women to Know in Houston. She has spoken at a handful of other women empowerment events (2025: Dress for Success Austin webinar, Hyatt Women’s Panelist Event, FOCU$ by KNOW Women).
As Executive Director for Houston Business Women:
In addition to her work at ELEVATE, Jessica serves as the Executive Director of Houston Business Women, where she creates space for connection, collaboration, and visibility for female leaders across Houston.
Additional organizational work:
She also serves as Vice Chair of Communications for the Houston Rodeo Souvenir Program Committee.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is connecting with people, and then connecting those people with each other. I love seeing relationships turn into collaborations, ideas turn into businesses, and networks start to grow organically. Being able to play a small role in helping those connections come to life is incredibly fulfilling, especially when you get to watch something meaningful build from the ground up.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elevate-x-marketing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevate.x.marketing/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicamartinhowell/
- Other: https://www.houstonbusinesswomen.org
Image Credits
Gala Bethany
Yeni Martinez
Rebekah Flores
