We recently connected with Jennifer Moreau and have shared our conversation below.

Jennifer, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?

I’m actually doing this very thing right now, as we speak. I started over in Spring of 2022. I have worked as a Marketing Director for various owners in various industries in Florida for over 30 years. When my parents started having health complications, I knew I should move back closer to them in Michigan where I grew up. Since my two sons are grown and starting their own journeys in life, I thought that it would be a perfect time to get back to my roots in Northern Michigan.

During my career in Florida, I stumbled across companies that valued purpose along with profit. Once I started working for a company that addressed sustainability issues and did their best to have a positive impact on the community and the planet – I was hooked! I found out that working for a company that had a purpose, other than just making money at everyone’s expense, creates a huge work/life improvement for employees. It gives everyone something to feel good about while making money for the company. I spent my last seven years in Florida working as a Marketing Director for businesses like this.

Upon moving to Northern Michigan, I spent a year working for a company that lacked this similar mindset. I was grateful for the job; however, the work environment was very different without a purpose. The company had been established a long time ago and was pretty set in their ways of doing things. Because of this, I decided to start my own marketing company so that I could create something that had a positive social and environmental impact on a place that I would feel good about going into work each day. This is how EA Marketing Hub was created in 2023.

I am excited to leverage my extensive background in marketing to empower small businesses in Northern Michigan. With a strong belief in the potential of local economies and a commitment to fostering positive environmental impact, I am dedicated to helping businesses flourish with affordable marketing. For our first operating years I am working toward our B Corp certification – a global designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials.

Starting over is my opportunity to make something good. I’m motivated each day to make a difference and to make a successful company.

Jennifer, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

As a native of Northern Michigan, I experienced firsthand how small businesses positively impact their local communities. I pursued my passion for Visual Communications by studying at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan and graduated with a class of 6 people. Eager to experience something “bigger and better” after college, I immediately started driving south to Florida.

Over the course of three decades, I thrived in the dynamic realm of marketing, working with small and mid-sized businesses throughout Orlando, Florida. Guided by a strong work ethic and a commitment to excellence, I honed my skills and enjoyed playing a pivotal role in their success. Yet, as time went on, a strong longing to return to my roots began to tug at me.

Motivated by a sense of nostalgia and a connection to my hometown, I headed back to Northern Michigan to channel my expertise and passion to benefit the very community that shaped me. By merging my wealth of experience with a dedication to supporting local and small enterprises, I strive to make a meaningful impact on the place I call home.

I am excited to leverage my extensive background in marketing to empower small businesses in Northern Michigan. With a strong belief in the potential of local economies and a commitment to fostering growth, I am dedicated to helping businesses flourish with affordable marketing. I am a proud member of Good for Michigan.

If you are wondering about why my company is called EA Marketing Hub – I’ll let you in on the secret. EA are the middle name initials of my sons – Jayk Edsel and Nick Axel.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Because I grew up in Northern Michigan and have visited here sporadically, while working in Orlando, I knew that marketing this region would be drastically different. The quaintness and rustic nature of this area, that drew me back, requires a different and more personal approach to finding new clients. Up here, everyone knows everyone and word of mouth is the best advertising and referral you can get.

After joining local community facebook groups and introducing myself, I began targeting local organic farms and other local companies that prioritized environmental and social sustainability as potential clients. I merely sent them an email introducing myself and let them know what I could help them out with (websites, signage, ads, social media, etc). To my surprise, this approach worked! I found out that my story and history resonates with Northern Michigan businesses. These local businesses are what makes the small towns up here thrive and I love helping them succeed.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

I have always worked as a freelance graphic designer on nights and weekends, alongside my 9-5 job, ever since I graduated from college. My first company name back in 1992 was JB Design.

I have a really strong work ethic and love having my own company but have always been too hesitant to think that I could make enough money to support myself and my sons on just the income from my own company/clients. I didn’t want to put my boys in the position of having a stressed out mom because I didn’t have any clients – so I always made sure I worked a full time job for someone else.

After the boys were adults living on their own, I finally gained the confidence to quit my 9-5 job and upgrade my freelancing into a full-service marketing company. I found out that I can make as much money as I was making while working for someone else, and most importantly I have the freedom to work when I want. That freedom is what entrepreneurs thrive on. The risk and anxiety is still there, but I believe when you have the motivation to succeed, you will find a way to make it all work out.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://eamarketinghub.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093003072352
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-moreau-1944a47b/