Podcast
Podcast
In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Jessica Hawthorne, CEO and owner of Hawthorne Advertising, to discuss entrepreneurship, business leadership, marketing, career reinvention, family, personal development, and the principles that have helped her company reach its 40th anniversary.
Jessica Hawthorne is the CEO and owner of Hawthorne Advertising, a national performance marketing agency that recently celebrated its 40th anniversary.
Before entering advertising, Jessica built a career in Hollywood as a talent agent representing television writers, directors, and producers during the era of shows including Entourage, Law & Order, Heroes, and Lost. She eventually transitioned into the family-founded advertising agency, where she discovered a passion for the speed, strategy, and constantly evolving nature of marketing.
Jessica purchased Hawthorne Advertising approximately 15 years ago and has helped lead the agency through major shifts in marketing, data analytics, media, and artificial intelligence. Her approach combines long-term thinking with constant experimentation: protect what already works, stay ahead of change, and continuously test new opportunities without overcorrecting.
In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Jessica Hawthorne, CEO and owner of Hawthorne Advertising, to discuss entrepreneurship, business leadership, marketing, career reinvention, family, personal development, and the principles that have helped her company reach its 40th anniversary.
Early Career: Began her professional journey in Hollywood as a talent agent representing television writers, directors, and producers.
Career Reinvention: Left entertainment for advertising and returned to school for an MBA while establishing herself in a completely new industry.
Family Business: Joined the agency originally founded by her father and eventually purchased the company herself approximately 15 years ago.
Business Longevity: Helped Hawthorne Advertising reach its 40th anniversary by adapting to changing technology and consumer behavior without chasing every trend.
Marketing Philosophy: Stay ahead of major shifts like data analytics and AI, but avoid dramatically overcorrecting when new trends emerge.
Family Perspective: Motherhood helped Jessica become more intentional and efficient with her time while reinforcing the responsibilities she carries beyond herself.
Life Integration: Rather than heavily compartmentalizing work, family, friends, and travel, Jessica focuses on being completely present wherever she is.
Leadership Philosophy: Build teams without excessive ego, where everyone is invested in the larger success of the clients and company.
Core Advice: Protect the part of the business that is already working while continuously testing new ideas, markets, and opportunities for growth.
👤 Connect with Today’s Guest
Website: hawthorneadvertising.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicahhawthorne/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearehawthorne/
Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearehawthorne
