She Got Laid Off... Then Built a 6-Figure Marketing Business - Jessica Kruebbe
From a surprise layoff to building her own hospitality marketing business, Jessica Kruebbe proves that sometimes losing your dream job is the best thing that can happen to you.
In this episode, Jessica breaks down how she:
• Went from being Director of Marketing overseeing 15 restaurant locations — to getting laid off overnight
• Landed her first client two weeks before the layoff (and turned it into a full-time business)
• Built her “Mini CMO” brand helping small restaurant groups scale like pros
• Moved across the country — twice — to chase opportunity and growth
• Balanced faith, self-doubt, and new beginnings while launching her business
• Learned how to price her value, set client boundaries, and say “no” with confidence
• Discovered that success isn’t about money — it’s about impact and freedom
• Built an internship program and started mentoring young marketers
• Is redefining what productivity looks like by rejecting endless meetings
• Plans to grow her “nontraditional agency” through collaboration, not corporate chaos
If you’ve ever been laid off, scared to start something new, or waiting for the “perfect moment” — this episode will remind you that sometimes, your next chapter begins when the old one ends.
Guest: Jessica Kruebbe — Hospitality Marketing Strategist / CEO of Jessica Kruebbe Marketing Strategy
📍 Nashville, TN
IG: @jkmarketingstrategy
Timestamps:
00:00 Cold open – “I didn’t choose to do this… they laid me off.”
01:14 Why “Mini CMO” brands are changing hospitality marketing
06:10 The layoff that sparked her business
07:33 Finding faith and freedom through entrepreneurship
10:06 What a “Mini CMO” actually does
12:24 Pricing yourself and learning your worth
18:05 Setting client boundaries and learning to say no
20:15 Why social media marketing is her least favorite job
23:53 One year in business — what success really looks like
25:28 Killing meetings and reclaiming productivity
28:04 Why money isn’t the goal — impact is
31:30 Lessons from failure, faith, and new beginnings
33:35 Advice for anyone ready to take the leap
Welcome to The Breakout Bunch — where real stories from real entrepreneurs come to life.
Hosted by Austen Tucker, this show cuts through the fluff and gets straight to the heart of what makes business owners tick. These are honest, unpolished conversations with self-made founders who are in it for more than just the money—they’re chasing purpose, impact, and something bigger than themselves.
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Jessica Kruebbe
Founder, JK Marketing Strategy | Hospitality Marketing Expert | FSR “40 Under 40” Honoree
Jessica Kruebbe is the founder of JK Marketing Strategy, where she serves as the “Mini CMO for the heart of hospitality.” With over seven years of experience in restaurant and entertainment marketing, Jessica helps hospitality brands grow through authentic storytelling, local marketing, and community-driven strategy.
A 2024 FSR Magazine “40 Under 40 Rising Star,” Jessica has become a trusted name in the restaurant industry for her creative approach to brand development, influencer collaborations, and reputation management. Her work focuses on helping small and mid-sized restaurants, food halls, and bars thrive in competitive markets without needing a full-time marketing department.
Jessica holds a Master’s in Management from Southern Methodist University (SMU) and has worked with hospitality businesses across Dallas, Nashville, and beyond. Whether she’s refining a brand’s voice or launching a buzz-worthy campaign, Jessica’s passion is helping hospitality businesses connect deeply with their communities.
📍 Based in Dallas / Nashville – Available Nationwide
🌐 jkmarketingstrategy.com