We recently connected with Jackson Harris and have shared our conversation below.

Jackson, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

One unexpected challenge I’ve faced in my professional life happened during the planning of a large-scale concert at a respected university. I had spent close to a year developing the event — from negotiating artist agreements to building sponsorships, coordinating the venue, and launching early promotional campaigns. Everything was on track and looked solid. Then, with almost no warning, the university underwent a leadership transition that changed everything.

The new representative didn’t share the same vision or understanding of our previous agreements. Suddenly, things that had been greenlit were now under scrutiny. Financial responsibilities, risk assumptions, and roles were being redefined midstream — and I was left to navigate the fallout between multiple parties who were no longer aligned.

It was disorienting. I had sponsors counting on visibility, a touring act expecting a professional experience, and a venue ready to fill thousands of seats — but I no longer had a clear partnership structure. It felt like watching a house shift on its foundation while people were still inside. There was no space for frustration. Only triage and problem-solving.

Ultimately, we made the difficult decision to cancel the concert. I negotiated a settlement agreement with the artist’s team to minimize financial risk and preserve goodwill. At the same time, I worked closely with our attorneys to address the breakdown in coordination with the university, ensuring the issue was resolved properly and without further liability.

What I learned is that unexpected problems aren’t failures — they’re stress tests for your leadership and relationships. When circumstances shift, your reputation, adaptability, and communication matter more than the original plan. And when you stay focused on people over ego, you can walk away with your integrity — and your long-term opportunities — intact.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Jackson Harris, and I’m the founder of J.W. Research & Development — a consulting and creative strategy agency that helps both major and emerging brands solve complex problems, build momentum, and grow with purpose. I work at the intersection of marketing, media, brand development, and operations, providing hands-on support where it’s needed most.

I was raised around entrepreneurship. My mom ran a successful spa corporation with 300+ employees, operating internationally, serving high-profile clients and managing both staff and production from the ground up. My dad worked in advertising and marketing for national brands like Dippin’ Dots. Growing up, I saw firsthand what it takes to turn ideas into real businesses — and I’ve carried that into everything I do professionally.

Over the years, I’ve consulted, collaborated and worked with a wide range of clients — from larger corporations like Jewelry Television (JTV), Tractor Supply Company, and even the U.S. Army and NASA, to smaller brands like SportCane, Red Ridge Entertainment, Family Radio, and many more. My role is to help them move forward, whether that means reworking a launch strategy, producing a media campaign, or managing operational challenges behind the scenes.

I specialize in helping companies refine their brand and marketing strategy, align with their audience, and scale effectively. Whether it’s launching a new product or building out a media campaign, I support both startups and established enterprises with everything from content development to strategic outreach. My work often bridges the gap between creative vision and operational execution — from overseeing production to coordinating retail partnerships. What sets me apart is my ability to operate across industries — including entertainment, retail, consumer health, and government — and speak the language of administrators, engineers, and creatives alike. I’m not afraid to get hands-on.

I’m most proud of the trust I’ve built with clients who turn to me during the complicated moments, not just when everything is running smoothly. I’ve stayed grounded in my values while navigating fast-paced, high-pressure projects — and I take pride in helping others turn big ideas into meaningful outcomes. Whether you’re an international brand or an independent creator, I help people move from vision to execution. If you need clarity, strategy, or momentum — that’s where I come in.

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

The best source of clients for me has consistently been referrals and relationship-driven opportunities. I’ve found that when you go above and beyond for one project — whether it’s a major brand like Jewelry Television or a smaller startup like SportCane — word travels. A lot of the work I’ve done in entertainment, consulting, and branding came from someone in the room saying, “You should talk to Jackson.”

Many of my long-term partnerships started informally — a production needed help navigating branding, or a business had a great idea but no strategy to launch it. Once I step in and help connect the dots, those relationships often expand into other opportunities, and that network keeps growing. It’s proof that reputation and execution matter more than advertising.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think what’s helped build my reputation most is showing up when things get messy — not just when things go smoothly. I’ve been brought into projects where timelines were falling apart, budgets were unclear, or partnerships were on the verge of collapse. In those moments, I don’t panic or posture — I get to work. People remember that.

Clients know I’ll roll up my sleeves and help solve real problems, whether that’s negotiating with talent, restructuring a marketing plan, or smoothing over a distribution issue. I think that level of ownership — combined with being flexible and honest — has made people trust me and recommend me.

Also, my background gives me a wide lens: I was raised around entrepreneurship and branding. My mom ran a high-end spa business, and my dad worked in national marketing, so I grew up watching how service, storytelling, and strategy work in the real world. I learned early on that your name matters, and people pay attention to how you carry it.

That mindset of treating every project like it’s my own has built my reputation more than any single win or campaign.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://JW-RD.com
• Instagram: thy.captain.jack
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackson.harris.440654/