DE&I In Our DNA: A Farewell Interview with Lamont Mackley, JumpStart’s Retiring Diversity, Equity and Inclusion & Community Engagement Officer
Lamont Mackley’s unwavering commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has shaped both his personal and professional life. Over the course of thirteen years at JumpStart, Lamont has consistently emphasized the importance of integrating DE&I into our very core. As our Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion & Community Engagement Officer, Lamont has seamlessly merged his personal
The 7 Deadly Sins of Digital Marketing
As the piano man once said, ♫ I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints. The sinners are much more fun. ♫ While that sentiment might make for a great social life, it can spell death for your digital marketing efforts. The seven deadly sins listed below are common mistakes that small business
3 Digital Marketing Enhancements to Try This Spring
Spring is finally here, which means it’s an egg-citing time for growth and renewal—especially for small businesses—and now is the perfect opportunity to take a fresh look at your digital marketing strategy and explore new ways to attract and engage with customers online. Digital marketing is an ongoing process that requires consistent effort and attention.
What’s Worse For Your Business: A Terrible Website Or No Website At All?
I’ll admit it, I’m a snob. When researching new business (whether I need a service or a product) a bad website is an immediate no-go. Simultaneously, I do ALL my research online, so how would I ever give you my money if there’s no way to find you? It’s 2023 (I checked the calendar this
Rise Above the Rest: How To Outrank Your Competitors Using Google Ads
Pop quiz: How do new customers find your business? Other than word-of-mouth from your devoted clientele (you have that, right?) and any traditional advertising campaigns you’re running, chances are high that you were Googled. Nowadays, it’s absolutely essential for small businesses to rank high in Google search results to attract new customers and grow their
10 Essential Marketing Activities for Small Business Owners: From Beginner to Advanced
As a small business owner, it can be overwhelming to know where to start when it comes to marketing your new venture. The first few months after opening your doors are crucial for establishing your brand, building awareness and attracting customers. Here are the first five marketing activities you should prioritize for your business: 1.
Don’t Wait, Update! Why Small Businesses Need to Optimize Their Google Business Profile Right Now
Stop me if you’ve heard this one… Knock, Knock. Who’s there? Nobody… because your customers couldn’t easily find you online. **Pause for uproarious laughter.** As a small business owner, you hopefully already have a website and social media presence to promote your products or services online. However, these tools alone aren’t necessarily enough to attract
Profit Plan vs. Budget: Creating A Profit Plan with Purpose
As a small business owner, chances are you’ve been told countless times how important it is to have a business plan or a budget for your small business. Budgets are the worst! Hopefully, you don’t use one for your business. What you really need is a Profit Plan which shows how your business is going
5 Content Ideas to Post on Your Business’s Social Media Pages
Struggling to figure out what to put on your business social media pages? Regularly updating your social media is important to help keep your business fresh in people’s memory and on their feeds. Here are 5 fantastic ideas that will help you stay active on Facebook, Twitter, and more. 1. Share Industry News No
7 Common Startup Myths… 8 Years Later
The year is 2013—your friends probably convinced you to download Instagram by now, you’re finally trying this “Uber” thing to the airport, “startup” is a buzzword, and Shark Tank has taught us all how to pitch. We’re taking our big ideas seriously! (Or at least contemplating it.) Eight years and a pandemic later, we’ve demystified
Why We Invested: orthobrain
JumpStart’s NEXT II Fund recently invested in orthobrain as part of a $9 million Series A round led by CareCapital. orthobrain empowers dentists to integrate orthodontics into their practice, combining technology, education and comprehensive case management support. Their ground-breaking orthodontics platform is solving a critical need and addressing three market dynamics: The demand for clear aligners is
Success Despite Setbacks In FY 2020
There is no doubt 2020 has been a year unlike any other. Disruption and uncertainty have impacted our lives and our economy in ways we couldn’t imagine last year. Despite these challenges, we know our community will persevere because Northern Ohio is strong. In response to the challenges posed by the COVID19 pandemic, Northern Ohio’s