I recently had the pleasure of working with Julie Joyce of GreenID Marketing.  Julie is business savvy, fun, and personable.  Here's what she has to say: 

Hey Julie, thanks for having  me over me today.  Your home is gorgeous by the way, how long have you lived here?

Thank you so much!  I have been living in Barrington since 2006.  We originally lived in Barrington Hills and I was a member of the Plan Commission there for over 10 years. In 2020, we moved into the village and absolutely love being close to town and all it has to offer.  People always spot my kids biking into town for snacks! My son will be a freshman at Barrington High School and my daughter will be in 7th at Station.  I am originally from Lake Zurich; let me know if you want me to perform the LZ Bears fight song.

What is your professional background?

I have always been in marketing, mostly in product marketing.  I received my MBA from DePaul and was a product manager for Hewlett Packard until I left the corporate world to go work for my family business, The Barn Nursery. After spending time in both a fortune 500 company and a small business, I realized I could apply many of the best practices I learned at HP to smaller businesses that needed that expertise and guidance.  I started GreenID because I LOVE the energy and passion of entrepreneurship and really enjoy working within that environment.

What made you decide to start your own business, and what are your goals for it?

Initially, it was just a way to fill some extra time and to keep my marketing skills current.  For many years, GreenID was more of a side business or even a hobby, but it really took off during 2020. Many companies had to pivot and move quickly to ecommerce and social media and I was there to help. Now GreenID is my main focus and I have a lot of big plans to grow the company.

What do you like best about being an entrepreneur, and what is the most challenging
aspect of it?

I like working for myself and having the ability to own my own destiny. I also get bored quickly, so I like taking on new challenges and projects.  The most challenging part is learning how to manage the growth of my own business with my client work. I am always advising clients and thinking to myself, “You need to do this too, Julie!”

How has your marketing business changed from inception to now?

It is ALWAYS changing. In many ways, the move to digital has made marketing easier and less expensive, especially for small businesses. But it is constantly evolving in technology, applications and best practices.  I spend a lot of time training, learning new applications, and getting certifications to stay current on changes within the industry.

What are some up and coming marketing trends you see on the horizon?

I have four trends I would keep an eye on.  Video is going to continue to GROW, in many formats. You should be prepared to embrace it and invest in it, from streaming applications to YouTube, to TikTok. Second, personal branding is creeping into corporate marketing. It is getting more and more challenging to build a connection with customers and that is why you are seeing so many “takeovers” on social media, where a member of the staff is showing their face. We are also seeing more and more senior leadership step up and take a role in marketing as the “face of the business”. Following CEO’s on IG is one of my favorite tricks for discovering breaking business news since they usually communicate “indicators” on trends and strategy.  Third, I think you are going to see a return to some “basics”.  I am a HUGE proponent of email marketing and brands that may have relied on social media are beginning to feel a bit underwhelmed by the response.  I think there is just an inherent lack of trust on social media, and the constant evolution of the playing field makes it challenging for smaller brands.  If you want to embrace e-commercel, I think email needs to play a big role in your marketing strategy. Companies like Shopify and Klayvio are making this easier than ever to be successful at it.  Lastly, I would keep an eye on AI, chat bots and how new technology will allow companies to respond more quickly and intuitively to customer needs.

What is one thing businesses can do to improve connection with clients, and potential clients?

Maintain consistency in terms of branding, messaging and frequency. And be genuine in everything you say and do.

How do you find balance between work, family, and self-care? How do you unwind?

I think I have a good balance. I definitely work a lot but that is just in my nature.  My main two leisure activities are going to the gym and reading. I work out almost every day at 5am, and read almost every night before bed.  I am a creature of habit! I also love my friends and family and go all out when it comes to our adventures and vacation time.

Which is your favorite season, and why?

Summer! I love the water, boating and outdoor activities.

Which local restaurants are your family’s favorites?

I really like Neoteca, and we order tacos from Paul's Burrito Express at least once a week.  My kids LOVE PL8, so we get take out from there a lot.  I should also give a big shout out to my friends at The Onion, who are just the best people and do so much for our community.  They run a great business and restaurant. And I’ve been known to spend time at Shakou with my girl friends every once in a while!

What is a little-known fact or talent about yourself?

I took dance at Bataille most of my childhood and I still think I am a pretty good tap dancer.

What live show would you love to see?

My taste in music is pretty embarrassing so I should probably not say.

Which genres of books do you like to read, and what are some books you can recommend?

I read a lot of books.  I liked “The House by the Cerulean Sea” a lot, it was heartwarming, creative and different.  I also just read, “Klara and The Sun” and I really liked that one too.

What is one thing on your bucket list?

Every year growing up, my family vacationed at this ranch in Estes Park, right below the Longs Peak trailhead. It is a well known 14er that many of my friends and family have completed and they have all these epic stories that revolve around this mountain.  Conditions have to be right to do it, and I have never been able to even attempt it. Some day!

What was the best advice that you regret not taking?

“I don't think you should wear those shoes.”

Who has been most influential in your life?

My mom and dad.  They are such hard workers and really good people; they still have a lot of fun.  I also have a great group of girl friends that just happen to be extremely high achieving, and they keep me motivated.

To learn more about how Julie can help your business, contact her for a 30 minute consultation.

For information on being featured on the JFP Blog, please contact Jennifer Falat Photography at jenniferfalat@gmail.com, or 847.890.9448.