Combine NJMOMpreneur Jill Lisi‘s love of eye-catching visuals, her successful background in marketing, and a strong desire to follow her passion, and you get JKL Consulting, a branding and web design studio. She offers marketing & branding services, website design, and social media management – all celebrating the fact that creativity is limitless. We’re inspired by her dedication to making the most out of her time with her kids, her work with the American Cancer Society, and her favorite quote, “Fix your ponytail and try again.” Is that perfect or what, mamas? This decorative pillow-obsessed mom of 3 sat down with us to discuss how JKL Consulting will grow in 2019 and some of her best #NJMOM tips for spending the summer in Monmouth County’s beach towns.
Owner of JKL Consulting & NJMOMpreneur Jill Lisi
NJMOM: What do you offer to your clients and how is it different than other professionals in your field?
Jill: JKL Consulting is a branding and web design studio. I love talking with my clients and figuring out what is at the heart of their brand and how we can transform into something that draws in their ideal client. When you are working with small businesses, it is so personal to them and to me. I treat each client’s business as if it were my own.
There is no straight line to success, you just need to keep putting one foot in front of the other. – NJMOMpreneur Jill Lisi
NJMOM: What inspired you to get into your line of work?
Jill: After years of marketing and designing websites and with my love for all things creative, I decided to put all the pieces together and create my own branding and web design business. With so many successful women entrepreneurs all around us, it is hard not to be inspired to be my own boss.
NJMOM: What is your favorite part about your business?
Jill: I love doing what I love for me. There are no boundaries on what I get to create and who I get to create things with. I have had the opportunity to work with other women who own or started their own businesses. Seeing them take their companies to the next level and knowing I am a part of that growth has been amazing.
NJMOM: What is your background in your business expertise?
Jill: I had worked in the marketing field for years and I took time off to be at home with my three girls. When my youngest was 3 I ventured back to work. At the same time, I would pick up freelance projects designing websites. After five years of commuting, juggling three kids’ schedules, a husband who travels, and my own sanity, I decided to start my own business and do what I love full time!
NJMOM: What are you most proud of in your career?
Jill: JKL Consulting will be celebrating its one-year anniversary this April. It started with one client and I am now booking two months out. I am still learning, growing and figuring out my way, but when I get referrals from clients it is all worth it and so rewarding.
NJMOM: What is something few people know about you?
Jill: I grew up in a small town in New York called New Paltz. I love the outdoors and hiking (wish I could do it more), tea and a great glass of pinot noir. I am sort of obsessed with decorative pillows and throw blankets. I like clean countertops (a battle I am always losing) and guacamole.
NJMOM: What can we expect from you next year – personally and professionally?
Jill: I want to continue to grow JKL Consulting by finding clients who are really invested in building their brand. Personally, I have three girls who are growing up so quickly. So I want to be at as many soccer games and school events that I can, take some family vacations and squeeze in a few more dates with my husband.
NJMOM: What charitable cause are you most passionate about?
Jill: My husband and I are most passionate about giving to the American Cancer Society and St. Jude’s. Cancer has affected both sides of our family. Most recently, my husband’s first cousin passed away a year ago, leaving behind a young family. It is heartbreaking seeing first-hand what this terrible disease can do.
NJMOM: Who is your role model? Why?
Jill: I don’t think I can choose just one role model. There are many people in my life who inspire me daily. My mom’s strength, independence, and ability to put family first has always been a guide in my own life. My sister is an amazing example of a working mom. She is a committed teacher and mother who balances a million activities, all while squeezing a daily phone call with me. She is my sounding board on everything. My friends who are all talented, hardworking and inspiring. It truly takes a village and these women are the ones who get me through the day to day. And my husband, who is co-CEO of our personal life. He is incredibly dedicated to his work and family. Without his support, there would be no JKL Consulting.
NJMOM: What is the best piece of advice your mom (or parent/role model) ever gave to you?
Jill: My mom always stressed the importance of being independent. She pushed me and my siblings to get jobs in high school, to learn to cook for ourselves and when we all wanted to travel abroad, she encouraged us to do it. It has certainly pushed me towards where I am today.
NJMOM: Do you have a favorite quote you live by? Why is this quote so important to you?
Jill: I don’t know if I have one quote I live by, but there is this one quote I love and I repeat to my girls.
Fix your ponytail and try again.
I feel like this quote is so applicable in so many things you do. Life is constantly about picking yourself up and giving it another try – particularly in owning your own business. You are going to make a ton of mistakes and you need to learn from them and move forward.
NJMOM: What are your favorite things to do in New Jersey with your family?
Jill: We love the beach. We live in Monmouth County and spend a good portion of our summer at the shore. If there is one tip about visiting the shore, it would be to go early. Parking at the shore in the summer is no easy task.
NJMOM: What is the best part about being a mom for you?
Jill: I think the best part of being a mom is seeing my girls turning into these amazing people. You spend so much time worrying about them, instilling values in them and supporting them. And when you start seeing it all come together and see them making positive decisions in their life, it is so rewarding.
NJMOM: What are your favorite businesses in New Jersey?
Jill: One of my favorite local businesses is Pure Barre in Manalapan. I am there five days a week. It is not only an amazing workout but also an equally amazing community. The girls and I like to shop locally at Denny’s, Lola’s and Vanilla Sky. Our favorite local date night out would be at 618 in Freehold. We spend a lot of our summer in Asbury Park. Talula’s has the best pizza. The crepes at the Crepe Shop on the boardwalk are fantastic. If you are going for drinks at the beach you can’t miss Watermark. Sirena in Long Branch has the best views of the ocean along with great food.
NJMOM: Where do you reside and vacation in New Jersey?
Jill: I live in Manalapan, and we love it. It has a great school system and community. We have vacationed in Cape May with our girls since they were little. It is very family friendly. It is great going back with them as they get older and doing all the same things we do every year (ice cream, kayaking, and boogie boarding). This year the girls tried surf lessons!
NJMOM: What advice might you have for a fellow NJMOMpreneur who is just starting out?
Jill: I think the thing I would stress the most with someone just starting out in their own business would be to not be afraid of mistakes. You are going to make a lot of them. But learning from them will result in positive changes and help grow your business. There is no straight line to success, you just need to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
NJMOM: Anything else you’d like to tell moms in New Jersey?
Jill: The time with kids goes so fast. My oldest is now entering high school and it feels like she was just two. Enjoy all the moments, especially the small ones. I love it when we are all sitting on the couch together watching a movie. We try really hard for family dinners on most nights. As they get older, time gets harder to grab with them. I love family vacations when I get them for a whole week all to myself. Steal as much time with them as you can.
For more information about JKL Consulting, follow along on the website, Facebook and Instagram.
