After 15 years as a digital marketing professional, Jesse McFarland launched SpearPoint Marketing in 2023. With experience managing agencies and leading marketing efforts for large SaaS companies, Jesse turned a career setback into an opportunity to build something of his own. In this interview, Jesse shares his journey, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and his vision for empowering small and medium-sized businesses.
1. Jesse, what led you to start SpearPoint Marketing, and how did your career experience shape your approach?
I started SpearPoint Marketing in January 2023 after being laid off from an international company in the summer of 2022. That moment gave me the time and space to do some soul-searching. I realized I’d always wanted to start my own company. Having spent over 15 years in digital marketing, managing agencies, and leading marketing teams in large SaaS companies, I had the experience and insights to help businesses grow. It was the right time to take the leap.
2. What challenges did you face when transitioning from corporate life to entrepreneurship?
The biggest challenge was accepting that I’d be taking an enormous pay cut. As a corporate marketing leader, I had a significant salary, a solid compensation plan, and plenty of perks. Starting my own business meant stepping away from that stability. Fortunately, I had some savings and consulting clients from my moonlighting work, which gave me a financial cushion. This eased the fear of starting from scratch and allowed me to focus on building my business strategically.
3. How do you stay motivated during tough times?
Networking with other business owners has been crucial. Owning a business is a unique experience, and connecting with others who’ve been there is incredibly motivating. There was one month this year when I lost a few clients all at once due to coincidence, not performance. Instead of doubting myself, I doubled down on prospecting the next month and recovered the lost income. Staying confident and focusing on what I can control keeps me moving forward.
4. What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
Have a financial cushion before starting. Without it, you might feel tempted to quit and take another job or accept clients who aren’t the right fit. A solid business plan is also critical—visit it regularly to ensure you’re growing strategically rather than just reacting to situations. The combination of financial preparedness and a clear vision will set you up for long-term success.
5. What’s been a pivotal moment for you in building SpearPoint Marketing?
This year, I started outsourcing some client work to freelancers, which allowed me to scale my services. Now, I’m on the verge of hiring my first full-time employee. This is a big step because it will free up my time to focus more on growing the business instead of getting caught up in day-to-day operations. It feels like the beginning of a new phase for SpearPoint Marketing.
6. What’s your vision for the future of your agency?
My primary goal is to scale the business. I want to spend 90% of my time on growth and development. Having a local agency with a dedicated team of local employees is at the heart of my vision. I’m passionate about helping small and medium-sized businesses grow their brands, and I see SpearPoint Marketing becoming the go-to partner for businesses looking to achieve sustainable growth.
7. What impact do you hope to create through your work?
I aim to help small and medium-sized businesses unlock their potential by growing their brands and reaching their target audiences effectively. Many of these businesses don’t have the resources or expertise for sophisticated marketing strategies, and I want SpearPoint to bridge that gap. By empowering these businesses, we’re not just helping them grow—we’re also contributing to their communities and creating a ripple effect of success.
Final Thoughts
Jesse McFarland’s journey from corporate leader to business owner highlights the resilience, strategy, and vision needed to succeed in entrepreneurship. With SpearPoint Marketing, Jesse is not just building a company—he’s helping others achieve their goals. To learn more, visit SpearPoint Marketing.