For many entrepreneurs, growth feels like riding a rollercoaster in the dark—fast, thrilling, and slightly terrifying. But for Jenn Kjellman, President and founder of JSK Marketing, 2024 was the year she decided to buckle up and bring in some of the brightest minds in Jacksonville to ride with her. How? By applying for the ATHENAPowerLink® program through the Jacksonville Women’s Business Center and was selected as the latest recipient.
“I knew we were in a season of hyper-growth,” Jenn said. “And I also knew we needed help – real expertise in areas we weren’t as proficient in. The program offered an opportunity to tap into that at a high level, all at once.”
When Jenn got the call that she’d been selected as the ATHENAPowerLink® recipient, she was truly humbled. “There were so many qualified woman-owned businesses in Jacksonville, and to be chosen was an incredible honor,” she shared. “To be recognized by such a prestigious governing body was humbling and motivating.”
Going into the year-long program, Jenn expected a challenge. What she didn’t expect was just how deep the transformation would go. Her ATHENAPowerLink® advisory panel – made up of mentors handpicked for their expertise in finance, government contracting, legal/HR and strategic growth – was more than a resource. They became a trusted circle of advisors who not only offered information but also made valuable introductions and gave Jenn the confidence to lead more boldly.
With her panel’s guidance, Jenn led JSK Marketing through several key pivots – each one more impactful than the last. One major shift was to pursue work in the public sector and to focus on local government contracting before jumping into the deeper waters of state and federal bids. Another big win was restructuring HR policies to better reflect JSK’s growth and ensure both protection and clarity across the board. And perhaps most powerfully, refining their project management software to handle high-volume workloads more efficiently, setting the team up for long-term success.
But the most meaningful turning point wasn’t about business at all. Four months into the program, Jenn gave birth to twins. “It was wild timing,” she laughed. “But the board stepped up in a way that changed everything for me. They helped me prioritize, delegate and get out of my way.” That moment of support and strategy became a catalyst, not just for Jenn’s leadership but for JSK’s trajectory. The business grew 30% last year.
There were plenty of takeaways, but one stood out above the rest: trust your gut.
“Every mentor brought incredible advice, but they also reminded me that no one knows this business like I do,” Jenn stated. “At the end of the day, I had to trust myself – and that was a huge growth point.”
Through ATHENAPowerLink®, Jenn also gained something a lot of business owners often crave but rarely claim… confidence. “Imposter syndrome is real, especially for women entrepreneurs. The program affirmed that I do have what it takes – that our vision, our services and our team are worth betting on,” she said. “And I learned that working on the business is just as important as working in it.”
When asked to rate the ATHENAPowerLink® program, Jenn gave it a solid nine out of ten. Her one-point deduction? It’s hard to pack that much transformation into just one year. And her advice to future applicants is:
“Know where you need to grow. Be willing to be vulnerable. The mentors can only help if you’re honest about where the gaps are. But if you’re ready to work on your business to reach the next level? This program is a game changer.”
If you’re interested in learning more about the ATHENAPowerLink® Program, check out the Jacksonville Women’s Business Center’s website.
Connect with Jenn on LinkedIn and visit JSKMarketing.com
