Episode Summary
In this episode of An Agency Story, host Russel Dubree sits down with Wendell Jordan, founder of Jordan Marketing Consultants, an SEO agency based in Houston, TX. Wendell shares his unexpected path from failed music ventures and door-to-door sales to leading a growing agency rooted in local SEO. Wendell reveals what it took to shift from a generalist model to a specialized, hyper-focused agency and why local SEO isn’t just a business decision, but a way to empower small service-based businesses.
Episode Highlights:
- From NBA Dreams to Agency Life – Wendell’s early aspirations and how music and sales unexpectedly prepared him for entrepreneurship.
- The $250 Website That Started It All – His first-ever website deal and the lessons learned from years of underpricing.
- The Power of Niching Down – Why pivoting to SEO-only services brought clarity, growth, and surprising community support.
- Philosophy on Collaboration and Industry Standards – Why he’s on a mission to raise the bar in SEO transparency and quality.
Agency Info
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Company: Jordan Marketing Consultants
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Guest: Wendell Jordan
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Year Started: 2018
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Employees: 1-10
Most people don’t have the skillset to sell. I didn’t at first either. But I knew I had to learn it if I wanted to eat.
Wendell Jordan
Key Takeaways
Niching Down Isn’t Just Smart, It’s Transformative
Wendell’s agency once tried to be everything to everyone: websites, logos, social media, and more. But it wasn’t until he committed fully to SEO that momentum truly took off. Specializing in local SEO for service-area businesses not only attracted the right clients but also opened doors to meaningful industry collaboration.
“It was terrifying to go all-in on one thing—but it’s been the best decision I’ve made.”
You Don’t Have to Follow the Traditional Path
Wendell turned down a stable job with benefits to pursue freelancing, a choice many thought was irrational. But for him, the freedom to create, lead, and build something with personal meaning outweighed the comfort of predictability.
“I couldn’t imagine going back to meetings and suits after working for myself.”
SEO Is as Much About Community as It Is About Rankings
One of the biggest surprises Wendell shares is how welcoming the SEO community has been, particularly among fellow specialists. Unlike general agency spaces where competition is tight-lipped, SEO pros have shown a willingness to collaborate, share tools, and refer overflow work.
“My SEO community is way nicer than the digital marketing agency world as a whole.”
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