Jenna Ahern on becoming the CEO of SEO

Today, Ellie and Maggie are joined by Jenna Ahern of Guardian Owl Digital. As a college student, she and two other women co-founded Bluegrass Premier, a field hockey club in Louisville, simply because they saw a need for it. She did not view this as business ownership at the time but rather as a practical solution to an unmet demand. After setting up the club, she decided to focus on her career in the automotive industry. It wasn’t until later that she recognized her entrepreneurial tendencies. 

 The discussion turns to how both Jenna and Maggie began their careers in the male-dominated automotive industry. Recognizing the industry’s shift toward digital marketing, Jenna leveraged her expertise in Google Ads and analytics to help businesses optimize their digital investments. This led her to start Guardian Out Digital, a venture quickly grew, fueled by a demand for digital marketing expertise among small and mid-sized businesses struggling to navigate the online landscape.

 

Jenna admits that she did not originally plan to build a company with employees; instead, her business evolved naturally out of a need she identified. At just 24 years old, she took a leap into entrepreneurship. Jenna draws strong parallels between her experience as an athlete and her approach to business leadership. Jenna also discusses the challenges she faced as a woman in the automotive and business sectors, where pushing back against established norms was often unwelcome.  Early in her career, she had to learn how to strategically navigate workplace politics, often tempering her opinions to avoid conflict. However, this ultimately led her to realize that entrepreneurship was the best path for her.

 After taking full control of the company, Jenna faced the reality of sustaining and scaling the business. The conversation shifts to the nature of Jenna’s business, an SEO and digital marketing agency, and how many clients initially misunderstand the complexities of online advertising. Her motivation for starting the company stemmed from a desire to educate and guide small businesses toward smarter digital marketing strategies. The role of advisor and advocate solidified her purpose in the industry, helping businesses navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape. Jenna stresses the necessity for business owners to educate themselves on digital marketing fundamentals, even if they plan to outsource it later. By doing so, they can better understand how these platforms connect and when the right time is to invest in professional services. She emphasizes that SEO is a long-term strategy, not a quick fix, and that small businesses should only invest in it when it aligns with their financial and operational goals. Before investing in SEO or paid advertising, they need clarity on their customer base, their value proposition, and why their business exists.

 

GuardianOwl has refined its expertise in digital marketing across various industries, including e-commerce, B2B, manufacturing, and automotive. Over the years, they have tested different digital marketing approaches and partnerships, ultimately building a trustworthy, results-driven process. In closing, Jenna looks forward to the future of her women-led company. 

 

Key Topics: 

1:08 - Introducing today’s guest Jenna Ahern. 

5:03 - Jenna’s Experience in the Automotive Industry. 

10:16 - The progression into Business Ownership. 

13:32 - Navigating Male-Dominated Industries. 

17:32 - Forming a Business Partnership and its Challenges. 

20:58 - Building a Sustainable Business Model. 

24:19 - Laying the Foundation for Digital Marketing Success. 

26:34 - The Reality Behind Entrepreneurial Success. 

31:31 - Servant Leadership and Business Growth. 

39:12 - Building a Support Network for Women Entrepreneurs. 

42:22 - Rebuilding and Expanding GuardianOwl. 

 

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