Episode Summary
Jennifer Sutton, founder of Bright Marketing based in Greenville, South Carolina, shares her powerful story of transitioning from a capped corporate career to leading one of the most values-driven agencies in the Southeast. From overcoming a difficult partnership to finding her leadership voice, Jennifer reveals how she intentionally built an agency that integrates both the art and science of marketing and supports working parents, values-driven professionals, and strong women in business.
Highlights from this episode:
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- How hitting the glass ceiling sparked a journey into entrepreneurship—and how she turned initial freelance gigs into a full-fledged agency.
- The hard-earned lessons from a failed business partnership, and how that experience reshaped her leadership.
- Why being unapologetically yourself—and creating space for others to do the same—is a non-negotiable in agency culture.
Agency Info
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Company: Bright Marketing
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Guest: Jennifer Sutton
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Year Started: 2013
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Employees: 11-25
You can only control how you respond and react. Humility is your superpower, but so is knowing when to stop apologizing for your energy.
Jennifer Sutton
Key Takeaways
Bold Decisions Build Strong Foundations
Jennifer didn’t plan to become an entrepreneur. But when opportunity knocked during a deeply personal time—while managing the death of a family member—she followed it. Clients came to her before she had even decided to go out on her own, offering work and confidence in her skills.
The Importance of Knowing Your Role in a Partnership
Jennifer candidly shares how her initial handshake partnership agreement became a source of conflict and misalignment. She outlines the key questions she wishes she’d asked from the start: Is this a shared vision, or just a gig? Who’s bearing the risk, and who’s reaping the reward? What are the expectations for communication, commitment, and conflict resolution?
Define Culture by Standards, Not Just Sentiment
After ending the partnership, Jennifer made a critical shift: she stopped apologizing for her energy and drive. That transformation helped redefine the culture at Bright.
- Hire slow, not fast—Even when it’s uncomfortable.
- Trust your gut—Protect your energy and leadership style.
- Create micro-level processes—Don’t assume others think like you do.
Empowering Women Through Intentional Agency Design
Jennifer discusses the surprising (and infuriating) reactions she received as a female agency owner. Many assumed her agency was a side project for work-life balance, rather than a serious business built to scale. In response, she doubled down on designing Bright for both ambition and flexibility, creating a work-flex culture where performance, not face time, is the metric of success.
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