We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jessie Wilde a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Jessie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?
I started my first consulting business as a side gig to my main 9-5, managing co-working spaces out of a really cool old warehouse building. As I noticed customers had issues making their payments, I reached out to find out why. I had a knack for innovative and creative ways for people to get noticed and decided to put that knowledge to work to help them make more money, so they could make their rent (and I would get paid). It started out this way and as word got around, I was given referrals to clients that had nothing to do with the building. They just needed help.
I picked my niche, became a life coach, got a business coach and started marketing to mom-owned businesses and mompreneurs. Then covid hit. I had calls left and right from stressed-out moms who didn’t know what to do and came running for advice. So I took a walk outside, went live on FB, gave advice and soon started doing regular “talks” with my community. That bred into a podcast called “A Mom On A Mission” where I soon brought on other moms doing great things and highlighting them, supporting them and giving them a platform to spread their knowledge (and services). This got me a lot of local attention and grew to an audience out of my state, even out of my country. It was the beginning for me and when I found out what my “secret sauce” for growth was: RELATIONSHIPS & CONNECTIONS.
The age-old slogan “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know” took hold on my life and everything I said/did. Now it wasn’t about just meeting as many people as I could, but making connections with them. I took the time to learn about them, their struggles, their successes and their needs – then I filled those needs. As I built my network it became clear to me the value it had. If I met someone who needed help and I couldn’t help them, I left them with the names of at least 2 people or places that could. I started celebrating collaboration and community over competition… and people noticed. I WAS EVERYWHERE! Constantly I was told that someone saw me here or there and they were right. The reality is that as a mom of 5 kiddos (and a single mom for the last 2 years) it took a lot! I worked long hours, late nights after bedtime snuggles, and hustled on the 1 or 2 weekends a month my kids had a visit at their dad’s and would run to point of almost exhaustion. Real talk: it was really really hard at times, but I’d do it all over again. Making those strong connections vs phoning in or just going to an event to snap a selfie, check in online and say I went for face value was the best decision I made – and continues to today!
I started getting invitations to speak at events and host some which led to my emcee career where I now get paid to have fun, introduce & meet incredibly talented people and to CONNECT people!
As my consulting business grew, I started to hire. Before, where I met and made a connection with a small business owner who maybe only needed a couple of one-and-done services, I reconnected as they grew and I was able to offer them agency services. Because they knew and trusted my work (or sometimes my referral to another company that could better handle their need at the time) they came back – EVERY TIME! My footprint, knowledge and network, grew!
After 8 years on my own, my company was picked up by an amazing Marketing Agency (Kindred Marketing) that literally asked me to partner up and do what I do best, build and cultivate relationships under the epic idea that “PEOPLE HIRE PEOPLE”! It’s been incredible to meld two companies with similar values to reach even more people who believe the same.
So my advice to any new start-up, business owner or consultant: look to who you know. Don’t know anyone? Go to events, make conversations in the line at the grocery store, chat with the person making your coffee or you are waiting in line with you. THESE are the connections that are often overlooked and have for me been powerful and impactful. Get out there. SHOW UP & MAKE MORE CONNECTIONS!
Jessie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I covered a lot of this in the last question but would add: I pride myself as a dynamic entrepreneur and empathetic leader in my community! The sales and marketing industry doesn’t need to be slimey and people shouldn’t hate to see your call pop up.
As the owner of Wilde Jessie Consulting, my emcee work at galas and community events, and involvement in fundraising for many local non-profits has become my main focus.
As Business Development Director at Kindred Marketing, I specialize in cultivating relationships and delivering innovative marketing strategies. Notably, Kindred Marketing’s prowess in marketing, advertising, and sales, underscores our commitment to making a difference. We specialize as a full-service marketing agency that shows up as your personal Marketing Director for your business. When most companies are looking to hire a single in-house marketing or sales professional, we have an innovative program that offers them a team of specialists (often a social media manager, graphic designer, web developer and account manager) for less than the cost (and risk) of hiring someone: ie taxes, benefits, sick/ vacation pay, unemployment, etc. Our goal is to find your story or your why, help you brand it and then be your source for all things marketing, advertising and sales to share it. We become a part of your team (and someone you want to vacation with) building and holding those relationships with every client.
We also help companies, like manufacturing companies that need to tighten, brand and simplify internal communications as well as sales team training & packets, sell sheets, presentations and whatever you need to position your company as a leading industry professional.
How did you build your audience on social media?
My social media journey emphasizes genuine connections. By engaging with individuals, expressing gratitude, and showcasing authentic interactions, I fostered meaningful relationships online. My advice for newcomers is simple: prioritize real connections. Take the time to engage, interact, and showcase the essence of your brand authentically.
My biggest tip is to meet people, get to know them, get a picture with them, post it thanking them, pin your location and tag them. This simple tactic has helped me to meet people who never would have fallen on my social media otherwise and helped me make many valuable connections.
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
My transition from a side hustle to a full-time consultant was driven by passion and opportunity. I started as a commercial property manager and soon realized that the income I was making was more than my 9-5. After a meeting with the owner, I decided to make my split and in 2 weeks working full time on what I love, I made what I would have in 2 months at my job. Realizing the potential in my side hustle gave me the confidence I needed to make the leap. Key milestones included recognizing the market demand, pivoting to meet evolving needs, and aligning with Kindred Marketing, propelling my career to new heights.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kindredmarketingagency.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wilde.jessie
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000354230001&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wildejessie
- Other: A Mom On A Mission Page: https://www.facebook.com/amomonamissionmi My main give-back project is helping at-risk youth in high-risk areas of our community experiencing homelessness, poverty, abuse and hunger through summer and after-school programs. Our goal is to provide a 24-hour crisis drop-in center for these youth: https://www.facebook.com/takingbackmuskegon https://www.facebook.com/takingbackmuskegon My second is WMK9 Foundation where we work to raise money to gift fully trained service dogs to injured veterans at no cost to them: https://www.wmk9foundation.org/
Image Credits
O’Riley Media, Mitten Made Media, David Sherman Begg, West Michigan Photographer