Hidden Gems: Meet Jacqueline Hayes of Crayons & Marketers

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline Hayes.

Hi Jacqueline, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It all started with Michael J. Fox and shoulder pads. In the 80s, one of my favorite movies was Secret of My Success. It was three movies: Secret of My Success, Baby Boom, and Working Girl. I wanted to work in a high-rise office building, wear fancy suits (with shoulder pads), and close big deals. 

But what I think most attracted me to those films (outside of the fact that I’m a hopeless romantic) is that ultimately, the brilliant women in them – characters Christy Wills, J.C. Wiatt, and Tess McGill – successfully pushed back against an unfair system that wanted to pigeonhole them. These narratives reflected the times and helped spark conversations about toxic workplace dynamics, glass ceilings, and the ongoing pursuit of equity. 

Fast forward to 2013, I found myself at a bit of a crossroads: either keep working on someone else’s dream or take a chance on building my own. I decided to leap, and I’ve been leaping ever since! My company, Crayons & Marketers, began as a blog. Like many things in my life, its name was inspired by my daughter, who was six years old and bored at that time. While studying, I spread a Ziploc bag full of crayons and markers on the floor to keep her hands busy so I could finish. Then it hit me: crayons and markers… crayons and marketers… Crayons & Marketers! With what I thought was a pretty cool name, I started a blog sharing small business marketing tips. Months later, it was a legitimate business. My first client paid us $250 to run an email marketing campaign, and we’ve since added a few more zeros to the top line. 

When I founded Crayons & Marketers, I created a supportive environment where women could thrive professionally without sacrificing their roles as mothers, wives, sisters or daughters; a place where everyday achievements are celebrated, and women feel empowered to reach their full potential. My first employee served on the PTO with me and ran the Spirit Store at our kids’ elementary school, and now, seven years later, she is my most tenured employee and could run the company without me. From the onset, Crayons & Marketers embraced collaboration as a core value and the foundation of our business model. 

By collaborating, we pursue larger business opportunities and foster a supportive environment where we all win. This collaborative approach led us to work with global brands like Bridgestone and federal agencies like the National Institute of Health. 

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road, and early in my career, I was a contributor to that. This will be hard to believe for those who know me now, but I lacked motivation. Despite having the talent, even being acknowledged as a subject matter expert in my field, I was complacent, hindering my ability to scale my career. In some ways, I carried that same complacency into my business in the early years. I wasn’t as driven as I am now. This put me at a severe disadvantage when trying to get new clients. 

Fast forward to today; it’s a different story. I’m on overdrive, and it shows in our client roster, revenue growth, and the awards that line my mantle. But systemic barriers persist in supplier diversity, making navigating the business ecosystem cumbersome. I use my platform to help raise awareness of inequitable procurement practices hindering small business growth and work alongside others to change it. 

I appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Crayons & Marketers?
Crayons & Marketers is a culturally sensitive content marketing company developing inclusive marketing strategies for ambitious organizations seeking to meaningfully and responsibly connect with multicultural and multigenerational consumers across all backgrounds and abilities. The firm was voted one of Nashville’s Top Content Marketing Agencies in 2019, 2021 and 2022 by Exerptise.com. 

Crayons & Marketers is dedicated to serving clients in professional services, nonprofits, and government sectors. Our primary goal is to assist our clients in fostering cultural awareness and enhancing their cultural competence. By doing so, we aim to minimize the potential for unintentionally perpetuating exclusionary or prejudicial practices in marketing strategy, content creation, and delivery. We also strive to help our clients establish authentic relationships with diverse communities, enabling these organizations to become better corporate citizens. 

In 2021, we launched the Crayons & Marketers Diversity & Inclusion Marketing Assessment. This enterprise-level self-assessment tool helps marketing departments within organizations uncover blind spots, not assign blame, to inform and improve their inclusive marketing efforts. 

As content marketers, we believe in the power of a good story, but that story only works when people see themselves in it authentically. At our core, we embrace an inclusive approach across all aspects of our work, from impactful marketing campaigns to meaningful community outreach initiatives. We diligently guide our clients on their path to inclusive marketing because we recognize its profound significance and impact on individuals and communities. 

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those just starting.
Hang in there. It might sound cliche, but trust me, it holds. There are countless challenges constantly pushing against you, but here’s the thing: energy never really disappears; it transforms, it shifts. 

So, reclaim your power—grab hold of that energy—and channel it towards something positive. Let it be your driving force, propelling you forward. And once you’ve made progress, don’t forget to reach back and uplift those behind you. Our victories aren’t just for us; they pave the way for those who will follow. It’s about showing them that it’s possible. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://crayonsandmarketers.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crayonsandmarketers/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crayonsandmarketers
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinehayesmba/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrayonsMkters
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkgu1jEXf9jXbrcsNPNlgww

Image Credits
Roland’s Photography