Melinda Jackson on Building Impactful PR for Female Founders & Entrepreneurs

Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business

I’m Melinda Jackson, founder of Melinda Jackson Public Relations, where we do PR that actually moves the needle. With over 15 years in the industry, I help female founders and corporate teams land media coverage, build thought leadership, and grow their influence—without the fluff. PR is my passion, and I believe it should be accessible, strategic, and actually make an impact. I also host free virtual co-working thrice weekly because community and connection matters.

Who are your customers?

We work with female founders, entrepreneurs, and corporate teams across all sectors, who are ready to step into the spotlight, build credibility, and grow their influence.

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

I spent 9 years in the PR agency world! Mostly in Entertainment/Music (which was exactly as fun and stressful as you'd think).

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

After spending nearly a decade in the agency world, I realized I could do so much more for my clients 1-on-1.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Absolutely!! My parents are entrepreneurs, and I come from a long line of farmers (about as far back as we can track). In 2009, when I was interviewing for jobs, fresh out of college, I told everyone my 10-year goal was to own my own company! I made it happen in 9.

Take us back to when you first launched your business; what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?

Honestly, I am an extreme extrovert, which works well in PR. When I worked for two weeks at my last agency, I had enough freelance clients to pay my bills; then I started posting on my social accounts, letting everyone know I was going out on my own! My entire marketing strategy was just word of mouth and social media! That's still my marketing strategy, and I'd say 90% of my business has been referrals!

What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way so far and what have you learned from it?

My biggest challenge is one that many female founders face. It's been really hard to charge my worth. I just want to help everyone and meet them where they are! But that doesn't pay my bills haha

What accomplishment are the most proud of to date in your business?

We helped a client win an EMMY a few years back and that was really exciting!

Do you have any recent wins from the last year that you'd like to celebrate with our community?

During the temporary TikTok ban, we landed our content creator client on 4 local news stations in NC, as well as Good Morning America!

What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

We are introducing new offerings that will allow us to grow our team and help more people! We are launching VIP PR days, in partnership with a few other vendors, to give clients a super well-rounded offering. Additionally, we are going to be offering PR training for corporate marketing teams, who generally don't have a dedicated PR person or skillset.

What is your top productivity tip? 

I host virtual co-working sessions weekly, and they help me more than anyone else! Having an hour dedicated to knocking out the things on my to-do list that I have been putting out has been a game-changer. Additionally, I am worthless if I don't journal every morning! It helps me get all of my thoughts out so I have a clear mind for my tasks.

On the flip side, how do you avoid burnout?

I try to listen to my body (and my therapist!). If I need to take the day off and only have the capacity to send two emails, that's okay!

What is your approach to work-life balance / integration?

I wish I had a better one! But I try to remind myself what my dad told me when I first started MJPR - my 50% is most people's 100%! I have to trust that the work I do is quality, and I don't have to sit at my desk from sun up to sun down!

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

I honestly wish I would have found a mentor early on! Just someone to vent to and bounce ideas off of. It would have been a lot less trial and error! Haha

When hiring, what is your go-to interview question?

What do you want to learn?

What's the one app on your phone you absolutely cannot live without and why?

Opal! It kicks me off social media when i've been on too long. I also love Zen2Fit (fitness/wellness app), as well as the To Be Magnetic app (for manifestations/meditations).

What is your favorite business tool or solution and why?

ChatGPT! I have custom GPTs for literally everything - from my clients to grocery lists. It saves my butt most days! While I don't think we should just copy and paste whatever output it gives us, it really does help me so much in terms of giving me new ideas or reframing something I am working on.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

Don't be afraid to ask for help!! People want to help you, but you have to be comfortable asking.

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