Ep. 81 Small Business Marketing Made Simple with Jacqui Jones
12/2/25
Marketing strategy, storytelling, and small business growth take center stage as CEO Jacqui Jones shares proven ways entrepreneurs can build clarity and traction. In this powerful episode, hosts Kimberly Daniel and Stephen Lewis sit down with Jacqui Jones, CEO of One Degree Marketing, to unpack what most entrepreneurs get wrong about marketing and the simple, human-centered approach that actually works. Jacqui explains why understanding your audience, crafting a clear message, and building trust matter far more than chasing trends or posting nonstop. She shares the storytelling framework her team uses to help nonprofits, founders, and small businesses communicate their value with authenticity and confidence.
From branding clarity to emotional connection to long-term strategy, Jacqui gives listeners a practical roadmap for marketing that feels aligned, sustainable, and effective. Whether you’re a new entrepreneur or scaling your next chapter, this episode delivers game-changing insights you can implement right away.
In This Episode
- 00:00 Introduction: Jacqui Jones’s journey into marketing and entrepreneurship
- 04:20 Discussion on common small business marketing challenges
- 07:50 Strategies for building a sustainable marketing approach
- 11:12 How to define and track marketing success for your business
- 15:45 Importance of aligning marketing with business goals
- 20:08 Using AI tools and platforms effectively for small businesses
- 24:32 Key metrics to measure engagement and brand awareness
- 28:10 Organizing business operations and systems (HubSpot, CRM)
- 30:28 Using free trials strategically and understanding tool usability
- 33:07 Defining goals and determining the right marketing metrics
- 36:00 Leveraging AI to support business decision-making
- 38:00 Recommended low-cost or free marketing tools (Later, Hootsuite, Canva)
- 43:00 Jacqui’s greatest lessons in entrepreneurship
- 50:00 Impact of entrepreneurial work on clients and communities (healing)
Key Takeaways
- Storytelling is the heart of effective marketing, not trends or algorithms.
- Clarity in your message drives customer trust and engagement.
- Emotional resonance and authenticity matter more than polished graphics.
- Marketing works best when it’s simple, strategic, and human-centered.
About The Hosts
Kimberly R. Daniel
Kimberly R. Daniel catalyzes entrepreneurs and organizations to do good. She is co-founder and project director of DO GOOD X, a community that provides programs and support for faith-driven social entrepreneurs whose businesses focus on positive change. Kimberly also helps purpose-driven organizations clarify and design compelling brand and communication strategies.
With over 15 years of experience developing and leading communications efforts, she is committed to producing effective processes and creating authentic, “sticky” brands that are community-centered. In addition, Kimberly has nearly ten years of experience as a certified life coach. She has facilitated workshops, spoken to communities, and written about innovation and entrepreneurship centered on social impact. She co-authored A Way Out of No Way: An Approach to Christian Innovation (2021).
She is deeply passionate about purpose, meaning, and the common good in any aspect of her work.
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Stephen Lewis
Stephen Lewis is the president of the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE) and the creator and co-founder of DO GOOD X. This community provides programs and support for faith-driven social entrepreneurs whose businesses focus on positive change.
He is an organizational change strategies and leadership development specialist focused on inspiring the next generation of faith-inspired leaders and entrepreneurs to live and work purposefully. Stephen co-authors Another Way: Living and Leading Change on Purpose (2020) and A Way Out of No Way: An Approach to Christian Innovation (2021).
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