Mean Bean Marketing

July 15, 2025

How many years have you been in business as a solopreneur?

MEAN BEAN MARKETING began in 2016 as a creative experiment, a way for me to use guerrilla marketing techniques to spread the name in fun, unexpected, and memorable ways. For years, it remained a side passion, fueled by my love for creativity and connection. But everything shifted one beautiful sunny afternoon last July while kayaking off Wingaersheek Beach. Suddenly, Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” played through my headphones, sending shockwaves of emotion through my body.

The song felt like it was telling the story of my professional life. The lines “Barely gettin’ by, it’s all takin’ and no givin’” and “They just use your mind, and they never give you credit” jolted something deep inside me and changed everything. In that moment, something shifted. Encouraged by the incredible people in my life and that unforgettable clarity on the water, I decided to fully bet on myself. A few weeks later in August of 2024, MEAN BEAN MARKETING became my full-time focus after already being a brand for nearly a decade.

How many years have you been a Chamber Member? This is my first year!

Please provide a brief description of what your business is all about

MEAN BEAN MARKETING is a creative studio specializing in unforgettable custom promotional products and marketing consulting.
Each letter in MEAN is represented by a core value
MAGIC – The force that makes things happen when we put our ideas into the world.
ENERGY – The unstoppable power we bring to every collaboration.
APPRECIATION – The genuine intention behind every connection and relationship.
NATURE – The grounding influence that reminds us to be authentic and ever-evolving.
Rooted in these principles, we strive to empower businesses of all sizes by offering unique ideas and calculated strategy with just a hint of purposeful, well-intentioned rebellion.

What enticed you to start a solopreneur business?

Making my younger self proud has always been one of the main motivations behind starting this journey. I also wanted creative freedom and the chance to build something that reflects my values and passions, completely unbridled from traditional corporate constraints.

It’s nearly impossible to deny that marketing is a kind of real-world magic, and I thrive on sharing that enchantment with others. Marketing has the unique ability to transform ideas into reality, with promotional products serving as the perfect example. They carry brands out of imagination and place them directly into the hands of real people. These connections build authentic relationships with a brand and help shape the world around us. That’s where the true magic unfolds, when creativity merges with experience and ideas become woven into everyday life.

Owning my own company also gives me the opportunity to connect deeply with my clients, offer personalized solutions, and grow at my own pace. I finally feel like I’m doing exactly what I was born to do, and somewhere across the multiverse, little Jolene is absolutely screaming with joy for us.

What is “the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” of working on your own?

The good: I get to do everything.

I’ve always been told I “dance to the beat of my own drum,” and when I finally embraced all the unique things that make me who I am, everything began to fall right into place.

The bad: I HAVE to do everything.

There’s no one else to blame but myself, and I have to make time for every task, even the ones that aren’t so fun. Honestly, it’s not so terrible, because there are always people willing to help along the way.

The ugly: There are so many aspects beyond my control, which can make staying positive a bit challenging.

Small businesses often receive limited support in today’s society. It’s not anyone’s fault, it’s just the way things are. We’ve gotten used to convenience and instant gratification, and we sometimes forget that small businesses often offer more value and exponentially more creativity than their big-name counterparts.

Although MEAN BEAN MARKETING is a “small business,” that doesn’t limit my ability to help businesses of all sizes.

I firmly believe Gloucester, of all places, truly appreciates the unique cultural contributions small businesses bring to our community which is why I feel so lucky to live and have a business here.

If I could offer one piece of unsolicited advice, it’s this: give the smaller guys a chance to show what they’re made of.

Why are you a Chamber member?

Because community matters. Being a Chamber member helps me stay connected to other local businesses, support the local economy, and contribute to something bigger than myself. Gloucester is truly such a magical place, and I believe deeply in the power of small businesses to shape culture, inspire creativity, and create real connection to where we live and play. The Chamber brings us together, and that kind of support and collaboration is needed more than ever.

What advice would you give others looking to take the leap into “solopreneurship?”

Find ways to celebrate every win (big and small) and find people who genuinely are happy to see you succeed. Sometimes it can feel a bit lonely. If you’re ever looking for someone you can find me at 1 Western Ave on the first floor of the Orlando building or email me at Hello@MeanBeanMKTG.com , I’d be thrilled to hear from you!

Where do you see your business going in the future?

We currently work with an amazing blend of businesses across different industries but I’m hoping to add a few more clients to the mix! 

If your business needs promotional items like custom apparel, branded drinkware, or unique giveaways or if you’re looking for help with marketing strategy, campaign planning, or brand consulting, email or call me today. Let’s make some marketing magic!

I also want to see more people proudly repping the MEAN BEAN brand! We’re always creating new goodies, so be sure to reach out and see what we have. Often, we even give away free MEAN BEAN MARKETING promotional products so you can experience firsthand the quality of the items we help create.

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For consideration to have your solopreneur business profiled, please fill out the form at https://form.jotform.com/240133772746053 . After your form is received and we confirm that you are a Chamber member in good standing and your business meets the criteria of a solopreneur, we will send a detailed interview questionnaire for timely completion.