Today we’d like to introduce you to Noelle Jackson.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As a highly active and creative person, the idea of a typical 9-5 office job always mortified me. I knew I wanted to start my own marketing business since college, but fear of failure and financial instability prevented me from doing so for a few years. During that time, I built my experience (and faith in myself) working as a full-time marketer for restaurants and by taking freelance public relations/marketing jobs when I had the time. One of my biggest life lessons has been to pursue the life I really want and not to let fear get in the way.
In 2014, I had wrapped up several successful client projects and had a full-time job in marketing when I signed my very first client, an amazing restaurant here in Atlanta called Saltyard. I figured it was now or never, so took a leap of faith, quitting my job to focus on finally building my business. I had no savings or real business plan, but I knew that if I didn’t do it then, I might never go for it. That was in 2014, and I am happy to say my business, Elle PR, is still going strong and continues to work with some of the best lifestyle and hospitality brands around.
We started off with the typical boutique PR structure, offering media relations and some social media marketing services, but have evolved over the last couple of years to incorporate more content marketing (social media, social media advertising, content creation, and email marketing) which in my opinion, is necessary for brands to really compete in today’s digital landscape. This shift has allowed us to provide more value to our clients and has opened the door for us to work with brands around the country.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
That it hasn’t! When you run your own business, business and personal challenges that affect the business seem to come up on a pretty regular basis, so I have learned to never get too comfortable and to regularly evaluate both my business and personal goals, progress, and performance.
This last year was an especially challenging and exciting time on both fronts. I ended a long-term relationship with someone whom I had planned to marry and decided that in addition to running my business, I wanted to pursue a career in the performing arts as a dancer (something I had been passionate about growing up).
That meant in addition to keeping clients happy, managing my team, and generally just “keeping the lights on”, I got back in the dance studio and started training after more than 10 years off–which was kind of terrifying. I was lucky enough to find a great dance company who I auditioned for and joined last year (http://www.daredreamdance.com/) who has been instrumental in guiding me as I explore what a professional dance career can look like.
So this year has been a juggling act between keeping my business on track and competitive, and lots of mental and physical energy toward developing myself as an artist for dance. Many stresses, successes, and lots of massages and good wine!
Elle PR – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I look at myself as having two businesses now. My first baby, Elle PR, has really evolved to take advantage of the digital space that allows brands to stand out not to just media, but also to directly reach their customers. I’m proud of the personal attention we give our clients, our content creation abilities, and digital savvy. We also get great feedback from media which is not always the case for public relations firms.
On the other hand, I’m proud of myself for making time to pursue a deeply personal passion even though a lot of people don’t get it. I’m training as a dancer again, and am so grateful for the professional opportunities I have had this year, which have included dancing in my first movie (Night School with Kevin Hart), dancing for talented artists like Victor Jackson and Shae Brock, and more. I think when you own your own business it (hopefully) motivates you to take a look at your life as a whole, to make sure you are living your truth, which makes you a better business person and just happier overall. What’s the point in putting in all the work if you don’t make sure the whole picture is pleasing?
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
That’s changed a lot over the last year. I grew up with a lot of stress surrounding my family regarding money and just making ends meet, so a few years ago, it was running a successful business, keeping my clients happy, and making great money. Those things are still important (I aim for wealth and abundance in all areas of my life), but now real fulfillment and joy come first. It’s ok not to fit into any single box.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.ellepr.com/
- Phone: (404) 938-8377
- Email: noelle@ellepr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellepr_/ https://www.instagram.com/noellejacksonxo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elleprandevents/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ELLEPR_
- Other: https://goo.gl/maps/4cTPzJzW9sS2
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