marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn

To Black Friday or Not to Black Friday: Finding the Offer That Fits

I was working with a client this week who’s gearing up for her Black Friday sale.
She’s a baker — the kind who can turn simple ingredients into magic — and she’s been building an online program to share her techniques, just in time for the holidays.

She wasn’t sure what to offer: a big bundle? a deep discount? something new?

What we realized is that the best offers aren’t always the biggest ones — they’re the ones that deliver a quick win.

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marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn

Resilience, Rebounds, and the Next Shot

Take it from the goalie, if you let setbacks take you off your game, you won’t stand a chance against the next shot on net.

In hockey and business, you need to give your team the best shot at winning, which doesn’t mean a shut out every game, that’s just not happening, it’s making the most of what you have available.

And if you’re struggling with a few big hits, take a step back to see if you have enough eggs in enough baskets.

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marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn

The most powerful leaders i know do this

Years ago, I decided to get serious about my health. I read all the articles, followed the workouts, tracked the numbers — and got okay results.

The only thing I regret about getting in shape?
Trying to figure it out myself first.

When I finally invested in an expert — someone who knew the framework, the shortcuts, and the sequence — everything clicked. I saw results faster, with less frustration, and realized something big:

The best leaders don’t do everything themselves.
They find the right people to help them move farther, faster.

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marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn

The LinkedIn Lift: Make Your Profile Do the Heavy Lifting

You know that feeling when you send a message on LinkedIn… and wait?

You see profile views but no replies.
You spend the first few messages introducing yourself, trying to explain what you do.
You wonder if LinkedIn is really worth the effort.

You’re not alone.

Most business owners and professionals are underutilizing LinkedIn. They have a profile — but it’s not doing any actual work for them.

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marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn

In a Room Full of Flats, Wear Stilettos: What Presence Really Looks Like

What do a billionaire in a T-shirt and Hollywood’s most iconic blonde have in common? More than you think.

Mark Cuban walks into a room in jeans and still owns it. Marilyn Monroe could flip a switch on a New York sidewalk and suddenly the crowd was hers. Different uniforms, same result: presence that bends the room.

Here’s the twist most “dress for success” advice misses: it’s not the outfit—it’s what the outfit does to you. If sneakers make you sharper, you’ll outperform the suit. If stilettos make you stand taller, you’ll out-signal the flats.

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marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn

Navigating Without a Map: The Real Cost of “Winging It” in Marketing

There’s this thing about marketing, that since your on social media, you post, you like and comment, that you should know how to do that for your business as well.

But here’s the thing, just because you know how to make a sandwich doesn’t mean you’re ready to open your own sub shop. Running a business and marketing it effectively typically need one of two things: invest in training yourself or bring in the experts.

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marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn

Camera‑ready Webinars: Prepare For The Unexpected

If you’ve ever thought, “I know I could sell more if people just heard me explain it,” webinars are your stage. But even polished presenters get curveballs. Here’s a story, a simple system to stay cool, and a free checklist to make your next session look and feel pro.

Back in 2018, I produced my first webinar. The presenter was in Florida; I was in Calgary, Canada. Tech was humming, the demo was tight, and the chat was lively—until the final stretch, when his audio vanished….

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marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn

Stop being threatened. Start being curious.

Want to know a secret?

Curiosity is one of the most underrated skills in business.

It's also one of the best ways to overcome the feeling you can get from someone intimidating. 

Truth is, we're all human, people are just people, but it can be easy to get swept away by the charm, the presence, the sheer knowledge a person has.

But if you stop looking at them like a threat, as competition, as an adversary, you gain the power to flip the script—to see the opportunity in front of you instead of the obstacle.

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marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn

Avoid this mistake in your advertising

Let’s be honest: most of us didn’t start a business because we were dying to master bookkeeping, wrangle supply chains, or spend late nights figuring out the difference between impressions and conversions.

We started because we craved freedom. Independence. The chance to build something that’s ours.

But here’s the catch: freedom doesn’t pay the bills. Clients do.

And if you’re like most entrepreneurs in the early years, your number one question isn’t “How do I scale to seven figures?”—it’s:

👉 How do I get more clients without spending every waking minute selling?

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marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn

Launching multiple products is like painting the inside of your house

If you’re doing any of your own design work, you’re likely using Canva - the design software for non-designers. It’s my top choice for creating designs and graphics from flyers and business cards to Instagram Reels.

Have you ever tried painting your house while still living in it?

That’s exactly what running a business with multiple offers can feel like.
You know the end result will be beautiful. It’ll increase the value. It’ll feel aligned and polished and done. But the middle? Total chaos.

This is exactly what’s been coming up in conversations with clients lately: not a lack of motivation or creativity, but too many good ideas. Too many priorities. Not enough time.

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marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn

When Your Brand Speaks Before You Do

Someone knocked on my door last week wearing a neon yellow vest. My guard instantly went up—I was ready with a quick “no thanks” before he even opened his mouth.

But then he said four words that completely changed my response.

In a split second, I went from skeptical to open, from dismissing him to giving him my full attention. Not because of him—but because of the brand he represented.

👉 That moment is the perfect reminder of how powerful your brand reputation really is.

I break down what happened (and what it means for your business) in this week’s blog:
[Read the full story →]

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marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn

The Best Career Advice I Ever Got: Come with Solutions, Not Problems

When we’re stuck, it’s natural to want to turn to a manager, mentor, or director and ask, “How should we move forward?” or “How do you want this handled?” But here’s the thing: if you’re always asking for direction without bringing any ideas to the table, you’re putting all the weight of problem-solving on the other person.

Coming in with possible solutions, no matter how rough your ideas are.

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marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn

The “Not List”: The Overlooked Secret to Brand Clarity and Event Success

A client of mine shared a mood board for an event we’re planning later this year. What I loved most wasn’t just the beautiful imagery, colors, and vibe they wanted to create…which I’m a total sucker for. It was the list of what they didn’t want the event to be.

Getting crystal clear on what it isn’t brings even greater clarity than simply what it is. 

And it’s about more than events alone.

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marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn

Kindness is wisdom

It reminded me of my grandfather, who in his eighties walked to the grocery store every single day. At the time, I didn’t understand why he would go every day, why not bulk up, buy what you needed for the week or at least every few days?

Until I went with him.

That’s the power of differentiation. Price doesn’t always need to be the thing you’re known for, or even the very best product – a brand can also be how you make people feel.

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marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn

Before You Book the Venue: 3 Questions to Ask Before Planning a Business Event

There’s something seductive about jumping into event planning. You picture the lights, the energy, the name tags, the drinks clinking. You want the moment.

But before you pick a theme or build your guest list, pause. A smart event doesn’t start with logistics—it starts with intention.

Here are three questions to ask before you plan your next business event—whether it’s a client dinner, a product launch, or a full-blown conference.

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marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn

What a 6-Year-Old Taught Me About the Power of Testimonials

At age 6, my son attended his first wedding. 

He had just learned to give a speech at school and was eager to take every opportunity to get back in front of the mic. 

What happened next was adorable and an interesting nod to the power of who holds the mic. He commanded the room simply be being sweet, little, and genuine. Our customers may be full grown but what makes reviews and testimonials so powerful is they are genuine, they come from experience in working with your company. 

And did you know, your best customers have a powerful attraction for new customers just like them?

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marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn

Why Some Sales Feel Effortless And How to Make Yours That Way

Why do some sales feel effortless?

I met Janine because she was looking for an event coordinator on the day of her celebration. She knew hiring a coordinator would be helpful but I could still hear some hesitation in her voice when we spoke on the phone.

To be honest, I may have wondered the same thing, what would I need an event coordinator for if I’d planned everything already?

What I did next closed the deal.

Read the blog to learn what that was and how you could apply this strategy to close more business.

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marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn

New in Canva: Edit Video Without Leaving Your Design

If you’re doing any of your own design work, you’re likely using Canva - the design software for non-designers. It’s my top choice for creating designs and graphics from flyers and business cards to Instagram Reels.

Recently, Canva added a new update that has a massive impact on productivity: you can have and edit multiple file types within the same design.

Checkout this week’s blog to see how this could impact your productivity - and how to edit video within the same Canva design.

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marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn

An unexpected lesson in connection i’ve carried since my first big event.

It started at my very first trade show—and it’s shaped how I lead and connect ever since.

This show—this energy—took me right back to my very first event years ago. I was green, setting up my first booth, and lucky enough to be mentored by a legend in the business.

She gave me one piece of advice I’ve never forgotten. And to this day, I still share it with everyone I mentor.

This week’s blog is about where connection really starts—and how it shows up in the way we lead, collaborate, and build brands that actually matter.

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marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn marketing, entrepreneur, small business, grit Jen Dunn

5 life changing anchors i wish i knew sooner

If I could rewind the clock and hand my younger self a cheat sheet for showing up stronger in work, in life, in everything—these five truths would be on it. They’re not flashy hacks or rigid rules. They’re anchors. The kind that help you build real stamina, mental sharpness, and grounded confidence in a world that pulls you in a thousand directions.

Some lessons take time to land. These? I wish I’d known them sooner.

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