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Founder and CEO of Authentic: Fractional CMO leaders for growing…
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Articles by Jennifer
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Nine Years from the Kitchen Table
Nine Years from the Kitchen Table
Reflections on building Authentic — from a moment of loss to a category-defining company I never planned to be an…
30 Comments -
Is your B2B business considering advertising on LinkedIn?
Is your B2B business considering advertising on LinkedIn?
Is your B2B organization considering advertising on LinkedIn? I had an interesting conversation via email today with a…
7 Comments -
My sabbatical experiment: One month completely off the business grid.
My sabbatical experiment: One month completely off the business grid.
Hi, LinkedIn - I'm back from my sabbatical, and as promised, following up with my experience! I signed off on August 31…
31 Comments -
A Founder's Five-Year Reflection
A Founder's Five-Year Reflection
On November 7, 2017, I sat at my kitchen table and filed “Authentic Brand LLC” with the State of Minnesota, and then…
90 Comments -
Job #1 in 2021: Surrender
Job #1 in 2021: Surrender
If I didn't truly believe - deep down to the core of my soul - that all things happen for a reason, and are working…
17 Comments -
We've trained for this, and we're ready to run with you.
We've trained for this, and we're ready to run with you.
Three years ago, I founded Authentic Brand with a two-pronged vision: 1. To bring senior marketing leadership to small…
6 Comments -
What is Marketing Traction?
What is Marketing Traction?
If you’ve been following Authentic Brand for a while, you’ve likely heard us talk about Marketing Traction™. Marketing…
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Hiring a Marketing Leader Part 3: It's Going to Get Messy (and that's good!)
Hiring a Marketing Leader Part 3: It's Going to Get Messy (and that's good!)
Originally published on Authentic Brand's website, here. In parts one and two of this series, we talked about how…
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Hiring a Marketing Leader Part 2: Start Strong With Realistic Expectations
Hiring a Marketing Leader Part 2: Start Strong With Realistic Expectations
Originally published on Authentic Brand's website, here. In part one of this three-article series, we established that…
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Hiring a Marketing Leader Part 1: Why It's Hard
Hiring a Marketing Leader Part 1: Why It's Hard
Originally published on Authentic Brand's website, here. Hiring the right marketing leader has become increasingly…
Activity
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One of my favorite things about going to EOS conference is seeing people I adore and work with virtually during the rest of the remote year. Great to…
One of my favorite things about going to EOS conference is seeing people I adore and work with virtually during the rest of the remote year. Great to…
Liked by Jennifer Zick
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I get flak for being an AI hater. Someone even said my mockery was spreading "dangerous" anti-AI beliefs. I actually love that one. But I don't…
I get flak for being an AI hater. Someone even said my mockery was spreading "dangerous" anti-AI beliefs. I actually love that one. But I don't…
Liked by Jennifer Zick
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10 years ago I remember feeling like people didn’t take me seriously in business because ‘I was too young’… I could have savored those moments more…
10 years ago I remember feeling like people didn’t take me seriously in business because ‘I was too young’… I could have savored those moments more…
Liked by Jennifer Zick
Experience
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Education
Volunteer Experience
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President - Minnesota Chapter of BMA
Business Marketing Association Minnesota
- 1 year 8 months
Education
President of the Board of Directors for BMA - Minnesota Chapter. Serving Minnesota's B2B marketing community with continuing education and quality networking opportunities that promote go-to-market excellence. Learn about our chapter and purpose at http://www.bmaminnesota.org/about-us.html.
Begun in 1922 as the National Industrial Advertising Association, today's Business Marketing Association represents a lifetime of expertise in business-to-business marketing and communications. For…President of the Board of Directors for BMA - Minnesota Chapter. Serving Minnesota's B2B marketing community with continuing education and quality networking opportunities that promote go-to-market excellence. Learn about our chapter and purpose at http://www.bmaminnesota.org/about-us.html.
Begun in 1922 as the National Industrial Advertising Association, today's Business Marketing Association represents a lifetime of expertise in business-to-business marketing and communications. For more than 90 years, BMA has been the pre-eminent service organization for professionals in this vital industry. -
VP Events & Development - Minnesota Chapter of BMA
Business Marketing Association Minnesota
- 1 year 3 months
Education
Responsible for delivering educational, engaging and inspiring content to our audience of B2B marketing members and guests. Oversee annual event calendar and content strategy, recruitment of speakers, event management and logistics. Lead the events and development committee on all aspects of strategy and execution. Elected President of Minnesota Chapter for 2014-15.
Begun in 1922 as the National Industrial Advertising Association, today's Business Marketing Association represents a…Responsible for delivering educational, engaging and inspiring content to our audience of B2B marketing members and guests. Oversee annual event calendar and content strategy, recruitment of speakers, event management and logistics. Lead the events and development committee on all aspects of strategy and execution. Elected President of Minnesota Chapter for 2014-15.
Begun in 1922 as the National Industrial Advertising Association, today's Business Marketing Association represents a lifetime of expertise in business-to-business marketing and communications. For more than 90 years, BMA has been the pre-eminent service organization for professionals in this vital industry. As market realities so often prove, no one stays in business that long without continually meeting their customers' needs. -
Speaker, Local Chapter Leadership
MOPS International
- 15 years 4 months
Education
MOPS is a grassroots movement that believes moms are world influencers.
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Volunteer - Sunday School Teacher, VBS Teacher, Small Group Leader
Grace Church Eden Prairie
- 13 years
Children
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Honors & Awards
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Inc. 5000 - 2024
Inc. Magazine
Authentic® was named one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. by Inc. Magazine, ranking #2261 on the 2024 list. This is the first time Authentic has been named an Inc. 5000 honoree, with a three-year growth rate of 231%.
The annual list provides a unique snapshot of the nation’s top-performing businesses, as measured by revenue growth from 2020-2023. These Inc. 5000 companies represent entrepreneurial vision and resilience, job creation, and a powerful positive impact to…Authentic® was named one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. by Inc. Magazine, ranking #2261 on the 2024 list. This is the first time Authentic has been named an Inc. 5000 honoree, with a three-year growth rate of 231%.
The annual list provides a unique snapshot of the nation’s top-performing businesses, as measured by revenue growth from 2020-2023. These Inc. 5000 companies represent entrepreneurial vision and resilience, job creation, and a powerful positive impact to the overall U.S. economy. -
Best Places To Work - 2024
Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal
Authentic® was announced as one of the 2024 Best Places to Work by the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal (MSPBJ).
To achieve this honor, Authentic® was one of the top-scoring businesses among similarly-sized businesses, according to research by Quantum Workplace.
Each year, MSPBJ, along with their research partner, Omaha-based Quantum Workplace, identify companies in the region that score top marks from their employees when asked to rate their employers on a variety of…Authentic® was announced as one of the 2024 Best Places to Work by the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal (MSPBJ).
To achieve this honor, Authentic® was one of the top-scoring businesses among similarly-sized businesses, according to research by Quantum Workplace.
Each year, MSPBJ, along with their research partner, Omaha-based Quantum Workplace, identify companies in the region that score top marks from their employees when asked to rate their employers on a variety of questions related to management, communication and more. -
Women In Business
Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal
Minneapolis, MN, March 22, 2024 – The Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal (MSPBJ) today named Jennifer Zick, Founder & CEO of Authentic, as a 2024 Women in Business honoree. This year marks the 27th annual awards program, which recognizes the Twin Cities’ most influential women including industry-leading executives, entrepreneurs and business owners.
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Fast 50
Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal
Authentic ranked #12 among Minnesota's fastest-growing privately held businesses.
The Fast 50 awards celebrate the Twin Cities' fastest-growing, privately held companies by revenue growth. -
Enterprising Woman of the Year
Enterprising Women
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Best Places to Work
Minneapolis-St Paul Business Journal
Ranked as a best place to work in Minnesota, among small businesses.
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Fast 50
Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal
Authentic ranked #16 among Minnesota's fastest-growing privately held businesses.
The Fast 50 awards celebrate the Twin Cities' fastest-growing, privately held companies by revenue growth. -
40 Under 40
Minneapolis-St Paul Business Journal
Each year, Business Journal editors sift through hundreds of nominations and choose 40 leaders under the age of 40 who have already accomplished much in their professional lives while also giving back to the community.
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Join now to viewMore activity by Jennifer
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Join us as we celebrate privately held businesses that have proven their ability to build financially strong, sustainable enterprises that benefit…
Join us as we celebrate privately held businesses that have proven their ability to build financially strong, sustainable enterprises that benefit…
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Jeff DeFazio
After exploring shadow culture and the limits of surface-level measures, this piece brings the distinction into focus. Engagement fluctuates, but culture endures in patterns that shape behavior and performance. Understanding this difference shifts leaders from chasing scores to shaping environments.
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Professional Spotlight: Melissa Thomson joins Leading Our Own Way Tomorrow, we're featuring Melissa Thomson, leadership coach, speaker, and host of "The Heart-led Leader" podcast, in an insightful conversation about transformational leadership approaches. Key professional insights you'll gain: • Heart-centered leadership methodologies that drive organisational transformation • Educational leadership innovation through her school founding experience • Authentic connection strategies for sustainable team engagement • Resilience-building techniques for leaders navigating challenging circumstances • Transformational coaching frameworks for unlocking team potential Melissa's approach demonstrates how authentic leadership, combined with strategic wellbeing initiatives, creates lasting organisational impact. Her experience founding educational institutions while developing coaching methodologies offers valuable perspectives for leaders seeking to balance authenticity with results-driven outcomes. This conversation explores how vulnerability and genuine connection become competitive advantages in modern leadership contexts. Available tomorrow across all major platforms. Valuable insights for leaders committed to authentic, transformational approaches to organisational development. #LeadingOurOwnWay #Leadership #TransformationalCoaching #AuthenticLeadership #ProfessionalDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching
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