Jessica Gordon is the founder and managing director of Gordon Digital a Brisbane-based digital marketing agency that provides tailored digital marketing solutions that include SEO, Google Ads, Social Media Ads and Conversion-Focussed Websites to SME’s across Australia since 2015.
Gordon Digital stands out in a crowd for one simple yet profound reason: We redefine transparency and embrace radical honesty.
For more details, visit their website here.
Here we sit down with Jessica, to know a bit more about her journey as an entrepreneur.
Q. Tell us a little more about your journey as an entrepreneur – how did you get started?
Jessica: Growing up my parents owned their own business in transport and logistics so I’ve been exposed to running a business all my life. My career started out in customer service roles leading me to running a registered training organisation contact centre before being introduced to the world of digital marketing. I fell in love with the impact it has on the success of small businesses. So, I started working on optimising Google Ads campaigns for small businesses and my operational background in running a contact centre allowed me to provide further support to my clients in aligning their campaigns to business outcomes.
However, I was challenged by how the industry appeared to be siloed and the agency environment meant long hours and burnout which was not allowing me to take the time to build the partnerships with my clients I knew was needed to be successful. When I started my family, I quickly realised that the typical agency life needed to be shaken up and turned on its head. That’s when I leaned into my operational strengths and tapped into my small business background to build Gordon Digital.
My agency operates very differently from other agencies. It’s free of silos, smoke and mirrors, and hocus pocus trickery. We place a strong emphasis on supporting our people to be the best versions of themselves, and they partner with our clients to work together in achieving their business goals through digital marketing. It’s so rewarding to see both growth in our people and our clients and to confidently say I love coming to work every day knowing that work-life balance is championed. Gordon Digital is something special. Something you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else – and I’m very proud of that.
Q. What entrepreneurial tricks have you discovered to keep you focused and productive?
Jessica: As someone who has ADHD I have always been challenged with staying on task. I go down rabbit holes often in my day and while these rabbit holes are when I am most creative, running a business definitely needs you to remain productive and so I have tried many many strategies over the years.
Funny enough the most effective solution is an old-fashioned pen-to-paper daily to-do list (I did swap out my traditional paper with a remarkable, distraction-free digital paper, to reduce the impact on the environment). The effect of ticking each item off and completing the list each day gives me a good dopamine hit. That said, the trick is to be realistic when creating your day’s to-do list so that it’s achievable within the day.
Q. How do you stay organized with such a busy schedule?
Jessica: I pride myself on the fact that I am a quick learner and that you can learn how to do anything.
I also can admit that I don’t know everything and while you can learn to do everything sometimes your time is better spent elsewhere and you should outsource.
Understanding where your time is most effective and outsourcing the rest would be the best advice I received early on about running my business.
Q. What would you change if you had a magic wand to do it?
Jessica: That’s a big question. There are many things I would like to change in this world but to limit it to just three: bullying, the political system, and the societal need for instant gratification.
Q. If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it?
Jessica: I would call it “Jump in and Figure It Out Later.”
Q. What motivates you?
Jessica: My family. My husband and three kids drive me to continue to do better every day. To build a better life for them and unlock opportunities.
Q. What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you’ve ever made?
Jessica: Since starting my business I would say the most worthwhile investment is in our people. Each time we bring on a new hire into the business they provide fresh perspectives and new challenges for us to overcome.
Q. What key activities would you recommend entrepreneurs to invest their time in?
Jessica: I would say, invest time in listening to podcasts and audiobooks in the car. Make that time worthwhile by nurturing your brain.
Q. What is your ‘one-sentence’ piece of advice you’d like to give to someone who wants to become an entrepreneur, coach, or business owner?
Jessica: Talk and network with people who have already accomplished or done what you are trying to do!
To keep up to date with Jessica and her journey, connect with her on LinkedIn.
