Mindshare Strategy

In April of 2008, I finally decided to stop “thinking” about starting a company and started one – Jumping Duck Media.  Since that time, I’ve worked with a large number of clients from different states and even different countries.  While my work has been mostly relegated to web design, I’ve also spent quite a bit of time using my strengths and talents as a marketer.

Yesterday, I renewed my business license for 2010.  I’ll be renewing my assumed business name in May of next year.  It’s a good sign when you’re renewing things for your business – it means you haven’t completely failed in your goals.

I started Jumping Duck Media for several reasons, but these are among the most prominent:

1. I always wanted to publish a book. Even if I wasn’t the author of the story, I wanted to make sure I had a hand in sharing it with the world.  As luck would have it, I’ve now published two books under the Jumping Duck name – Career Crossroads is a guidebook for continuing professionals seeking to change careers.  The Indefatigable Wright Brothers is a fiction story written by one of my best friends, Erin Grace.
2. I wanted to help other entrepreneurs realize they could do it, too.  The “big name” ad and marketing firms have larger overhead and loftier fees than my one (sometimes two or three) person shop.  This allows me to give smaller businesses with smaller budgets the same big-budget treatment larger companies can afford.
3. I wanted to prove I could do it.  Too often in my life I’ve been told “you can’t” with regards to one thing or another.  Considering I’d just ended an internship at the time and was told I’d need to “put my time in” with a big company before expecting a rational paycheck or any sort of real responsibility, I was a bit frustrated.  Starting my own gig was a way to prove “them” wrong while proving to myself I ware really capable of performing on a higher level, too.

Jumping Duck Media might not be the largest marketing or branding firm in the area, but it’s mine and I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished thus far.  Stay tuned tomorrow to learn more about where I hope to take my small company in the future.