Today we’d like to introduce you to Lizzy James And Jaya Lord.
Lizzy and Jaya, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Right out of college, Lizzy landed a job at a marketing agency she absolutely loved. Shortly after getting married, she felt a strong pull toward starting a family and transitioned into a remote role that allowed her to continue growing professionally while preparing for motherhood.
That’s when we crossed paths—Jaya stepped into Lizzy’s former role, and when Lizzy continued to white-label for a client during her maternity leave, Jaya stepped in to help support. We clicked almost instantly and quickly became friends. Once we both transitioned into remote roles, we started meeting up weekly at coffee shops, breweries, and wineries to work side-by-side.
One afternoon—somewhere between glass three and “let’s just split the bottle” at Chateau Elan—we jokingly tossed around the idea of starting something of our own. The next morning, we texted each other, “Wait… were we kidding, or should we do this?” Turns out, we were serious. Four months later, James Lord Creative was born. We had a name, a logo, a website, and a vision that felt bold, personal, and completely ours.
Fast forward 2½ years, and we now serve 10 retainer clients across 6 states. We’re still driven by what sparked this from the start: collaboration, creativity, and the belief that marketing should be intentional, approachable, and rooted in real connection.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We’ve been incredibly fortunate with the clients we’ve had the opportunity to work with. From the moment we announced James Lord Creative, past clients and colleagues reached out with encouragement, support, and—amazingly—referrals. That kind of trust and enthusiasm from the people who knew our work best was something we didn’t take for granted.
That said, the journey definitely hasn’t been without its challenges. Like many new business owners, we found ourselves facing major imposter syndrome in the early days. We knew we were capable, but there’s something about going out on your own that makes you second-guess your worth. In those first few months, we often undervalued our services—pricing ourselves low to make our offers more appealing or to avoid hearing “no.”
But after a few honest conversations with a mentor we trust, we realized something important: we do great work, and we needed to own that. Not every potential client will be the right fit—and that’s okay. We’ve learned that the best partnerships come from shared values and a mutual understanding of the impact strategic digital marketing can have. Once we started showing up with more confidence, the business grew in ways we definitely couldn’t have anticipated.
We’ve been impressed with James Lord Creative , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
James Lord Creative is a full-service digital marketing agency built on the belief that strategy and creativity go hand in hand. We specialize in social media marketing (organic and paid), website design, graphic design, email marketing—and pretty much anything else you can dream up in the digital space.
Between the two of us, we bring over a decade of experience to every project. Lizzy leads strategy—digging into the “why,” mapping out clear paths, and aligning every move with big-picture goals. Jaya is our creative brain—turning strategy into visuals, messaging, and brand experiences that actually connect. Together, we make a pretty dynamic duo—and our clients benefit from both sides.
Nonprofits are our sweet spot. It’s our bread and butter. We’re passionate about helping mission-driven teams raise awareness, spark action, and build community through digital storytelling. Over 80% of our clients are female-led organizations—and helping women grow their impact and visibility is one of the best parts of our work. While most of our nonprofit clients are based in different states, we also love supporting local businesses—from breweries and boutiques to restaurants and service-based brands.
What sets us apart? You’re not hiring a faceless agency—you’re getting us. We’re in the weeds with our clients every day, showing up to weekly meetings, replying quickly, and acting as an extension of their team. We don’t aim to feel like contractors—we show up like partners who care deeply about your mission and goals. We’ve found the best marketing happens when you truly understand what you’re marketing.
And here’s the thing: digital marketing doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We meet so many incredible business owners and nonprofit leaders who say things like, “Social media stresses me out,” or “I don’t have time for email campaigns.” That’s where we come in. We build streamlined systems, do the heavy lifting, and help our clients feel confident that their digital presence isn’t just being managed—it’s working.
At the end of the day, we’re just two gals who love all things branding, compelling storytelling, and building meaningful relationships. We’re proud to be building something we believe in—and even prouder to help others do the same.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
First and foremost, our husbands. They were the first to say, “You’ve got this,” when starting a business was just a what-if conversation. They believed in us before we fully believed in ourselves—and they’ve been all-in ever since. From late-night pep talks to being our sounding boards (and our event setup crew), their support has meant everything.
One person who’s had a huge impact on our journey is our client-turned-mentor (and honorary “work mom”), Becky at Q Affect. She’s a total force—the kind of leader who builds people up while running an agency with heart, clarity, and excellence. She’s taught us so much about what it means to lead well and has become a trusted friend who truly wants to see us succeed.
We’re also incredibly grateful for the agency where it all began. It’s where our paths crossed and where we first discovered how much we love this work. We’re still cheered on by former coworkers from that chapter—and that support continues to mean the world.
It really does take a village—and we’re so grateful for ours.
Pricing:
- Packages start at $1500
- We offer nonprofit discounts and make custom packages based on clients needs
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jameslordcreative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameslordcreativeco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jameslordcreativeco
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/james-lord-creative-co/?viewAsMember=true
Image Credits
Photography by: Melanie Gutsu
