Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany LeJeune.
Hi Brittany, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey really began when I graduated with my bachelor’s degree and landed my first marketing position at a civil engineering firm. What made that experience truly special wasn’t just the work itself. It was my boss. She was an incredible mentor who poured into me in ways that I will forever appreciate! We’re actually still best friends to this day, and I still look to her for guidance. She’s the one who taught me what it means to be a good leader.
Even though I loved that experience, I always knew that corporate America wasn’t my forever. I had this persistent nudge to consult and work for myself. So while I was still in that corporate season, I went back to school to get my MBA. I knew entrepreneurship was in my future, and I wanted to stay connected to my alma mater, but they didn’t offer an MBA with a marketing focus. What they did offer, however, was a focus in entrepreneurship. And I thought, if I’m already going to be learning the business side of things, why not lean all the way in? So I graduated with my MBA in Entrepreneurship, and it only reinforced what I already felt called to do.
After nearly four years, I made the leap into contracting. During that time, I contracted for a few marketing agencies while simultaneously building my own independent clientele. Traditional agency environments, by nature, are heavily revenue-driven. While that’s completely understandable from a business standpoint, it can make it difficult to strike the right balance between growth and team wellbeing. When the priority is hitting revenue targets, other things can fall through the cracks. From the type of clients being brought on to the culture being built internally. Those experiences gave me a lot of clarity, and rather than continuing down that path, I shifted my focus to building my own clientele and began picking up clients through Upwork. That’s actually where I met my now-business partner, Jessica Howell.
She had posted a contracting position on Upwork, I applied, and from there we started working together. I came on as her Director of Digital Marketing, and in that role for about two years, we operated as a marketing collective — meaning we did not function as a traditional marketing agency. We were contract-based only, with a small team of contractors supporting us. But we quickly realized that what worked best was simply just the two of us. We are our strongest when it it’s she and I running the show, working directly and face to face with our clients. So we made the decision to transition Elevate X Marketing into a streamlined digital consulting firm, and that’s exactly where we are today. I now serve as a partner alongside Jessica, and together as co-partners, we handle everything for our clients ourselves, bringing in contractors only when necessary. We’ve found that this model is not only the most effective for our clients, but the most fulfilling for us as well.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth? Not at all. As any entrepreneur can attest, the road is full of trials and tribulations, and mine was no exception.
Early on, I contracted with a couple of marketing agencies that, while well-intentioned, had a lot of room for growth. Particularly when it came to leadership, structure, and company culture. What I observed was a pattern that is honestly not uncommon in the agency world: when a business is heavily focused on revenue, the wellbeing of the team can become an afterthought. Client red flags get overlooked in the name of bringing in business, turnover becomes the norm, and the environment suffers as a result. It’s not a reflection of bad people, it’s a reflection of a model that prioritizes revenue above all else. And unfortunately, that was the consistent experience across both the agencies I contracted with and the W-2 position I briefly returned to. Each experience, however, only deepened my resolve and gave me a clearer picture of the kind of business I wanted to build — one where people and purpose come first.
With that clarity, the challenge became trusting the process and doing the work. When it comes to landing your own clients, you really do have to grind. Especially in the beginning. But once you land those first few, it becomes a snowball effect. And while the road wasn’t easy, it has been deeply satisfying. What makes it all worthwhile is that Jessica and I have been able to build the kind of work environment we always envisioned. One where people and purpose genuinely come first. Our growth may look different from that of a traditional marketing agency, and in some ways it has moved more intentionally than quickly, but that is entirely by design. We are not in the business of scaling for the sake of scaling. We are in the business of doing great work with the right people. That means being thoughtful about who we partner with, ensuring that every client relationship is built on mutual respect, clear communication, and shared goals. When those things are in place, the work thrives, and so do we. The business model we have built gives us the freedom and flexibility to show up fully for every client we take on, and that is something we are incredibly proud of.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Elevate x Marketing, we craft brand experiences for businesses that are ready to stand out. We believe that luxury is more than just a feeling. It’s an experience. And every brand we work with deserves a refined, timeless presence that speaks to sophistication, innovation, and lasting impact.
We are a Houston-based boutique digital marketing and branding firm. Our services span the full marketing ecosystem, from brand identity development and content creation to SEO, email marketing, paid advertising, graphic design, and even conference representation and thought leadership. We work across both B2B and B2C sectors, partnering with corporate organizations and independent brands across a wide range of industries.
What truly sets us apart is the founder-led nature of our firm. Jessica and I are personally involved in every single client engagement. There’s no handing off to a junior team member or getting lost in the shuffle of a large agency. Our clients get us. Our expertise, our attention, and our commitment, from start to finish. With over 20 years of combined experience in luxury brand transformation, we bring a highly curated, results-driven approach rooted in the belief that meaningful growth stems from strong foundations, purposeful storytelling, and elevated strategy.
That level of personal investment shows up in our client relationships as well. Client retention is something we take great pride in. Turnover is rare for us. The relationships we build with our clients are long-standing, and we believe that speaks volumes about the trust, consistency, and results we deliver. When clients stay, it’s because they feel valued, they see the impact, and they know they have a true partner in their corner.
We’re also incredibly proud of what we’ve built in a relatively short period of time. Being named an AMA Houston Crystal Awards Finalist, multiple years in a row, and First Place Award recipient is a recognition we don’t take lightly. It’s a reflection of the quality and intentionality we pour into everything we do.
One of the things we are most proud of, however, is the ability to be selective about who we work with. Because it’s just the two of us, we aren’t in a position where we need to take on every client that comes our way just to keep the lights on. That freedom allows us to be very intentional about our client portfolio. Taking the time to truly get to know each potential partner before we begin working together. We want to make sure that every engagement is set up for success from the start, and that means ensuring there is genuine alignment in vision, communication, and goals on both sides. When that foundation is in place, the results speak for themselves. The outcome is a client experience that is thoughtful, focused, and built on mutual respect.
For brands seeking a true strategic partner, not just a vendor, we deliver marketing that is purposeful, polished, and built for long-term impact.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Absolutely! I’m a big believer in continuous learning, and I make it a point to consistently invest in my personal and professional growth.
On the podcast side, I love listening to Aspire with Emma Grede and The Ed Mylett Show. Both are incredibly motivating and offer so much practical wisdom whether you’re an entrepreneur or simply someone who wants to show up better in every area of life.
When it comes to reading, I gravitate toward anything centered around personal growth, business, marketing, or sales. Beyond books, I also spend a lot of time reading articles and doing research online. In the digital marketing world especially, staying current isn’t optional. The landscape is constantly evolving, and it’s important to stay ahead of the curve and bring the most up-to-date strategies to our clients.
And when it comes to staying organized, two tools I absolutely cannot live without are my calendar and ClickUp. My calendar keeps both my personal and professional life in order. If it’s not on there, it simply doesn’t exist! And for business, ClickUp is a game changer. It keeps our projects, tasks, and workflows organized and running smoothly. Together, these two tools are the backbone of how I stay focused, productive, and on top of everything that needs to get done.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elevate-x-marketing.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevate.x.marketing/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevatexhouston
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elevatexmarketing
Image Credits
Malori Mire Photography (my headshots)
Pixels Para Siempre (Rodeo Pics)
