We recently connected with Gina M. Esswein and have shared our conversation below.

Gina M., looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

From Compliance to Creativity: My Leap of Faith

When I first set off to college, I chose to study Art History and Literature. At that time, I was like many twenty-year-olds—uncertain, searching, and still trying to find my place in the world. Solid decision-making wasn’t yet my strong suit. But life has a way of guiding us, often in unexpected directions.

Out of necessity, I found my first job in the financial services industry as an administrative assistant. What began as a way to earn a paycheck soon grew into a career that spanned 25 years. I became fascinated by the inner workings of brokerage firms, and over time, I immersed myself in learning every aspect of the business. Compliance, in particular, captured my interest—it challenged me and kept me sharp.

Balancing work and life wasn’t always easy. I returned to school at night, finishing my degree while raising two little ones. Along the way, I earned five licenses, added two more children to my family, and continued building a career that, on paper, looked steady and successful. Yet, somewhere deep inside, a quiet void had begun to grow.

I tried to fill it in different ways, but it wasn’t until I pivoted into working with marketing departments at the last three firms I joined that something began to shift. Watching the creative process unfold in real time, surrounded by such imaginative and passionate people, lit a spark in me. The void started to fade.

Still, I couldn’t ignore that I was viewing everything through the lens of compliance and risk—a perspective that, while valuable, dimmed the brightness of what creativity could be. After years of feeling that tension, I realized it was time for a full pivot.

After 25 years, I made the decision to leave the corporate world behind and step into entrepreneurship. Over the course of my career, I had gained a wealth of skills—sales, operations, administration, customer service, compliance—that I knew would serve me well in running my own business. I also knew the road ahead would be difficult. Starting something from the ground up is never easy.

But I decided to bet on myself. To trust that all the experiences, challenges, and lessons from my journey had prepared me for this next chapter. And so, I took the leap—creating my own suite of creative services, where my passion for art, storytelling, and connection could finally take center stage.

This time, the decision felt solid. This time, it felt like home.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

(Please refer to my previous statement from first question). As for my business: At G&J Crisp Clicks, our mission is simple: to help businesses grow. In today’s fast-moving digital world, many business owners struggle to identify the most effective strategies to elevate their brand messaging. I’m passionate about guiding them through that process—helping them develop a repeatable, cost-effective strategy that drives real results.

We leverage innovative technology to deliver creative solutions that propel our clients to the next level of growth. For example, generative AI is transforming the advertising landscape: 86% of advertisers are already using or planning to use it for video ad creation, and by 2026, an estimated 40% of all video ads will be AI-driven. This is especially powerful for small and mid-sized businesses, who can now produce high-quality, personalized video content at a fraction of the traditional cost—while also benefiting from real-time dynamic optimization.

What makes me most proud is that G&J Crisp Clicks is an agency of constant learning. We remain agile and adaptable in order to keep our clients strong, resilient, and equipped to thrive—even in the face of unpredictable economic forces

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In my early 20s, I had no clear idea of what I wanted to ‘be when I grew up.’ Entering the financial services industry, however, helped me discover my passion for learning, my professional endurance, and my inner strength as a woman in a male-dominated field.

I began as an administrative assistant, eventually moving to the trading floor, supervising trades and broker activities, and later investigating client grievances. Along the way, I balanced full-time work with finishing my degree at night, passed several industry licensing exams, and raised two small children.

Later in my career, I pivoted toward roles that gave me more creative exposure, working within marketing organizations while navigating the industry’s regulations. That experience revealed why my heart has always been drawn to the creative process and its profound impact on people.

Looking back, this long and winding journey taught me one invaluable truth: I am capable of handling anything I commit my heart to.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The mission driving my creative journey is rooted in the core of who I am: helping others. Building a successful agency will bring me immense joy, not just for the work itself, but because it will give me the opportunity to give back in meaningful ways—whether through charitable donations or volunteering my time with organizations that make a difference. At the heart of it all, my goal is simple: to leave the world a little better than I found it, and to ensure my work creates a positive and lasting influence.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gjcrispclicks.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gjcrispclicks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575016655023
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-esswein-51a1399b

Image Credits

All photos were taken by Brand B Photography: https://www.brandbphotography.com/