Startup hubs are an amazing place for community, innovation and inspiration.
Few know this better than Jenna Blaszczykiewicz, the Senior Director of Marketing for global innovation hub based in Chicago, 1871. Jenna started her career in architecture design, shifted to the tech space and now merges all of that with marketing.
Jenna is brilliant at identifying new opportunities for narrative strategy and offering that to both 1871 and many of the startups that come through its doors.
In this conversation, we chat about the Jobs to be Done framework, the intersection of tech & design and story strategy for pitch decks.
This is an episode for: storytellers, founders and startup nerds.
What's sizzlin' in the Spice Cabinet??
Where to follow Jenna? LinkedIn!
Where to follow 1871?
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Where does Jenna get inspo?
“I would say my biggest influence truly is the outside world. I'm an explorer of thought. And you know, I'm influenced by a local art show just as much as an article in The New York Times or something like that.”
Jenna’s a TikToker. Her favorite trend right now?
The RIDICULOUS Harry Potter remix that’s making the rounds. Magical or bizarre—you decide.
Jenna’s Walkout song?
Parting words of inspiration?
“Love what you do. I think everybody loves to see somebody when they're sharing an idea that has meaning within them for that topic—and they're kind of basically giving you a snapshot of those emotions while they're giving the presentation. And I think that if you can make yourself fall in love with the content you're producing, whether it's an element of it doesn't have to be the whole thing. You can almost attach itself to the authenticity and be sort of like a conduit to really want what you're saying. And I think that amplifies the messaging. And I think it creates a lasting impact.”
