Look up my profile on Twitter (@jenniesjursen) and you will find I predominately tweet about marketing and business. However if you were to follow the original website link in that profile you would have landed on a photographer’s cute child and family portrait site. What gives?

I have been a photographer and business owner since the late 1990’s. First, with the not so successful, Jennie Sjursen Photography and now with Lil Blu Dragonfly and Strawberry Road.

I struggled and struggled with Jennie Sjursen Photography. In an effort to make changes I read books, took countless notes, attended seminars etc and then burnt out. I took a year away from photography – all photography. I put my marketing and design skills to use for a startup company – that didn’t stay started (poor financial plan). I had a decision to make – what am I going to do with all of these skills I picked up along the way?

I decided to go back to photography but Jennie Sjursen Photography was going to stay on the scrap heap. In a very deliberate move Lil Blu Dragonfly and Strawberry Road were created. Visit both sites and you will see there are similarities but other than a link back to each other very little cross over. Each brand was set up to have it’s own feel and identity. Along this very winding road I totally and completely fell in love with the marketing/branding side of the business.

I’m fascinated with small businesses and how they do or don’t use marketing – especially the new communication avenues that are opening up everyday. I want to share what I’ve learned along the way – hopefully make the learning process shorter and less painful for others. So periodically I’ll update this section of my site sharing not only my successes but some failures too. I’ll answer any question as openly and honestly as I can. Hope you join me for the ride and learn something along the way!