Meet Jacqueline Mundy | Marketing Strategist & CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jacqueline Mundy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jacqueline, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
At Strategic Cardinal Marketing, we are deeply committed to our faith-based marketing initiatives, which are grounded in core values of integrity, respect, transparency, kindness, and humility. Our mission is to make a positive impact on the community by helping other entrepreneurs grow their businesses. We take the time to really learn their stories, understand their “why,” and align with their goals to ensure they succeed in this challenging economy.

Since opening my marketing agency, I’ve been blessed enough to surround myself with some pretty incredible business owners. I’ve witnessed local businesses navigate new legislative restraints, businesses create opportunities for younger generations, and set high standards for what it means to be part of The Upstate. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a community where entrepreneurship thrives and makes a tangible difference. That is where a lot of my drive comes from. I want everyone to succeed. I’m a firm believer that there is plenty of room at the top for everyone to be successful and to do great things.

One of my passions is mentoring young marketers who are just starting out. I understand how complicated the job market can be for recent graduates. That’s why I work hard to create a supportive environment where they can ask questions, bounce ideas off me, and feel comfortable and empowered as they take each step in their careers. Nothing feels better than watching their confidence grow because they feel supported.

And because I like to stay busy, I have also founded an Upstate Christian Business Chamber to provide a platform for faith-based businesses to come together. This chamber allows members to share their goals, challenges, and accomplishments openly, fostering a community of support and collaboration that strengthens our local economy and upholds our shared values.

Through these efforts, we strive to change the community for the better, fostering growth, innovation, and a strong sense of support and fellowship among local businesses.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Strategic Cardinal Marketing is a full-service, faith-based marketing agency dedicated to helping businesses grow and fulfill their missions. We offer comprehensive solutions, including website development, advanced SEO, social media management, and email automation. Our faith-based approach ensures we uphold values of integrity, transparency, respect, and love in everything we do.

My journey began with the influence of my biggest role model, my dad, who taught me the importance of integrity, respect, humor, grit, and hard work. His battle with stage 4 metastatic melanoma inspired me to honor his legacy throughout my career by focusing on create a path for everyone to succeed on and to always be a listening ear, a voice of reason, or a shoulder to lean on to those in need.

I also can’t talk about my success without giving massive gratitude towards my business mentor, turned best friend, Tatum Binford. She’s the one who taught me what it really means to be a servant leader, what it means to show up day in and day out for yourself and for your team, and most importantly that what we focus on will always grow – whether that’s good or bad. She also taught me to invest into others the same way I’d invest into my self. I truly wouldn’t be where I am in my business without her mentorship.

Initially focused on non-profits, especially those helping veterans, we built a foundation of trust and respect. Over the past two and a half years, we’ve grown significantly, now having served over 75+ clients, including start ups, medical and legal institutions, and other major organizations like USA Football and various NFL Partners.

I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the remarkable success of our non-profit clients as they tackle issues like homelessness, veteran PTSD, addiction, education initiatives, cancer research and many other inspiring causes. Their dedication and impact in these areas are truly inspiring and serve as a testament to the power of focused, compassionate efforts.

And to be honest, the journey hasn’t always been easy. There have been many nights working late with clients on a last minute project, or having to pivot due to the economy, or all of the times that social media has crashed and algorithms have changed, ha! But most recently, positioning ourselves as a faith-based organization presented unique challenges, such as balancing our identity with a universal business approach that respects diversity. However, these challenges have strengthened our commitment to principled leadership and transparent communication.

Through this experience, I’ve learned the importance of clear communication, perseverance, and staying true to our core values. At Strategic Cardinal Marketing, we are dedicated to community success, providing impactful marketing services that reflect our values and support your journey towards achieving your vision.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live for having people come to visit! I used to visit Greenville as a kid and would sit in the Wyche Pavilion windows and tell myself one day I’d retire here. Twenty years later, a move across the country, and multiple businesses later, I am proud to be a part of such an incredible community! The Wyche Pavilion is even where my fiance proposed!

Day 1, It’s all about outdoor adventure and local flavor! We’d start with an early morning hike at Table Rock State Park, because if you don’t take in a mountain hike, did you even go to the Upstate? After a hike we’d head to Simpsonville’s Downtown for wine and tastings at Carolina Olive Oil Company with owners Rory and his wife. This place has became our local “cheers” place to take out-of-towners to feel like they’re back at home. And of course we would have to stop at The Ice Cream station for a root beer float! In the evening, we’d go to downtown Greenville for some live music, and grab some tacos at Papi’s Tacos. To wrap up the day, we’d catch a Greenville Drive baseball game at Fluor Field and watch the firework show.

Day 2, We’d start the day with an energizing kick boxing workout at RockBox Fitness on Stone Ave. The atmosphere and community is truly unmatched. After the workout, we’d head to the farmers market in downtown Greenville. It’s always fun to support local and meet new businesses popping up in the Upstate, and maybe pick up a few treats. But seriously, you have to get a cinnamon roll from Great Harvest Bread Co and a coffee and then go listen to story time on the steps of M. Judson Booksellers! For lunch, we’d go to Bohemian Bull, where they serve my favorite burgers, if you’re looking for a sweet and spicy treat, try out the “That’s My Jam Burger” with fried mac n cheese bites. We’d finish the day at Bourbon Street at Bridgeway Station. Brideway Station such a fun place to explore, watch a game on the big screen, and enjoy an old fashioned.

Obviously, the best way for me to show the community is through exercise, food, and experiencing incredible local talent.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to Dr. Giovanni Calise, my fiancé and a constant source of support and inspiration. Giovanni is a marketing and entrepreneurship professor at Anderson University and has played a pivotal role in the success of Strategic Cardinal Marketing. His mentorship, business coaching, and extensive background in marketing strategy have assisted in boosting our client success rates as he has become another resource for my clients to engage with. His new business coaching platform has allowed for my clients to learn on-demand business development to compliment their marketing and sales efforts.

Together, we have recently been working with the city of Anderson, providing business training for local entrepreneurs. Giovanni’s contributions have been invaluable, and I am incredibly grateful for his support and the positive influence he has had on both my personal and professional life.

Can I also shout out my clients? Because seriously, they’re amazing! Each and every one of them have taught me something new about myself, about different industries, about their stories. I’m truly blessed to work with such incredible clients who are just motivating. When I get the opportunity to learn more about my clients, and I get to learn their “why” behind their drive, and see the dedication and commitment to build their dreams, it really is just amazing. I watch my clients build businesses supporting women entrepreneurs, clients who have created opportunities in the market place for fellow artists to teach the community, clients who support new mothers through postpartum depression with love and compassion, and I watch my clients work day in and day out to build the Greenville Entrepreneur Community. And I can’t say enough how humbling it is to be surround by such phenomenal people.

Website: https://strategiccardinalmarketing.com

Instagram: @strategiccardinal.marketing

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/strategic-cardinal-marketing/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strategiccardinalmarketing/

Image Credits
personal branding photo: Baila Milliken Photography