We were lucky to catch up with Nicole Ayres recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Nicole thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
Jumpsuit is on a mission to build the independent network and transform it into an entirely new economy. As the founder, I left the 9-5 six years ago, jumped into freelance, scaled and built Jumpsuit (a creative agency powered by the independent network), and am now building and scaling Jauntboards (a responsible AI company) to power the independent network.
The independent network (freelancers, solopreneurs, entrepreneurs) is expected to be the new majority workforce by 2027. Most of us are stuck in survival mode. By creating systems and a culture of collaboration, we not only have the opportunity to make more money, but also discover our own agency and build the next thing that we’re longing for.
The thing after capitalism.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’ve been entrepreneurial my whole life. I started a coffee shop 20 years ago in college that’s still operating, and I’ve been building businesses ever since. Every time I tried to work for someone else I never fit. I realized there’s about 30% of the population that feels that way, too.
I have a strong intuition and special interest in business. I’m always trying to be a few steps ahead. I jumped into freelancing before the most of the world did. I jumped into AI before most of the world did.
I don’t do this for accolades or accomplishment. I’m learning, through therapy, it’s partly my neurodivergence and partly my way of healing from trauma.
A lot of people are stuck in survival mode. I was. And I feel a calling to help others get out of it.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
I was a career Creative Director. I had spent the early part of it working for other companies, feeling held back by red tape or roles. In my gut, I knew I could build an agency that would let me explore my own personal agency. Even though I wanted to be a business owner and not a freelancer, I had to start somewhere.
In my first year of freelancing I made over $500k.
I also worked my ass off.
But that gave me the starting point to build and scale my multi-million dollar agency, Jumpsuit. From there, the ability to scale while maintaining our magic hit a ceiling, so I started building my AI startup, Jauntboards.
I suppose you could say I’m on a mission to seeing how expansive I can get while working on things I love with the people I love working with. I don’t think we’ve even scratched the surface yet.
How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?
While not every client is this way, many of our clients are ride or die. They’ve followed me and others on our team throughout multiple years, roles, and companies. Several of them have even asked us if they could work for us.
The reason for this is we make them feel like one of us. Because they are. True collaboration doesn’t embrace a client vs. agency posture. We take the time to know them as a person, support them in their life – not just their project.
And something that is equally important is that we’re not desperate for their money. We’re not looking for new ways to sell them the next project. We’re EXCITED when there’s something new to collaborate on, but we’re playing the long game.
This builds a kind of loyalty, trust, and camaraderie that can’t be bought.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jumpsuitagency.com
- Instagram: @jumpsuitagency
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-ayres-b42bbb42/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jumpsuitagency
- Other: www.jauntboards.com