Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Henderson.
Jennifer, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Right out of college I went to work for advertising agencies where I learned how to NOT run a business. After I left both over a stint of only two years, I swore I would never go back into agency life unless it was on my own terms. It was not me – back stabbing, highly competitive and full of men running the show. Instead, I went into the nonprofit higher end arena where learned everything about campaigns, consumer marketing, public relations and politics.
After four years, advancing up to the Director of Communications, I missed my true passion – design. To feed my soul, I started a side business at night designing for a few clients. Right out of the gate, I began working for some pretty large clients for running a small business – such as Neeley School of Business at TCU and National Independent Automobile Dealers Association. But most notably, Giant Screen Cinema Association where I ended up traveling the world assisting with their world conferences, meeting famous producers and incredibly talented people in the IMAX film industries. This client taught me a lot about business, and gave me a lot of inspiration to think bigger.
Pretty quickly I decided to go full time at running a business with employees, and soon the design shop became a full blown agency. I experienced growth spurts in 2001 and 2008, both times when the economy took a nose dive and large agencies were shooting their doors. Clients from those agencies came to me wanting value – good customer service, smart work and at a good price. I gave them that and word spread about us. For the first 10 years of our growth we didn’t spend a nickel on advertising – it was all built on our client referrals and the relationships I had in the community.
Today, we have 12 employees, a handful of contractors and business partners and a very large client base of medium size businesses to Fortune 500s – and still growing. Our goal is to take over the building I own in the Near Southside and eventually become the largest woman owned advertising/public relations firm in Fort Worth. If we aren’t already!
Has it been a smooth road?
I’ve had to learn the hard way how to hire the right way. I always bring on talented people, but hiring the right personality is the challenging part. I think I’m better at that now after 22 years of hiring. I’ve also had to learn the art of spreadsheets, projections, and all the ins and outs of financials. That’s really hard for a right brained person. Although, I’ve always been told that I am a rare bird that has a creative mindset with the acumen of a successful business person.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
J.O., is a marketing and public relations firm who’s called Near Southside home for the last 19 years. They find their joy in helping businesses be known – their products, their service, a wild entrepreneurial idea, the latest expansion or the Next Big Message. J.O.’s creative minds and marketing acumen light up in any medium and in any locale, primarily serving businesses in the nonprofit arena, healthcare industry, entertainment and financial fields. Maybe you’ve recognized some of their work for Worthington National Bank, Goodwill Industries Fort Worth, Fort Worth Stockyards, Fort Worth Transportation Authority and others, but they’re also known for throwing a great party.
Our biggest accomplishment is establishing The Cause Agency, a nonprofit marketing firm strictly for nonprofits, working to bridge the gap between their marketing needs and their budget.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Love the business relationships built in the two fastest growing cities – Dallas and Fort Worth. It’s a phenomenal place to start and run a business. Both offer the business assistance through the city and both have a support for entrepreneurs. There are no lack of resources and mentorship is very big here.
Contact Info:
- Address: 440 S Main Street; FW TX 76104
- Website: www.jodesign.com
- Phone: 817-335-0100
- Email: jennifer@jodesign.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jodesignagency/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JODesignLLC
- Twitter: @jodesign
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/joadvertising/
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
