NEA Women in Business: Lindsey Spencer

Residence: Jonesboro

Education: Bachelor’s degree, Arkansas State University

What was your dream job and why? I’ve always loved stories, so in high school and college I dreamed of making movies. I don’t make movies these days — but most of my job is about telling a good story. I am a freelance marketing and branding manager for small local businesses and nonprofits. I use the title “In Between Branding” for my work because I believe that in between the starting point and where we want to be is a lot of hard work, risk taking, and winging it. I help businesses and nonprofits navigate the in-between by helping them tell stories and build brands that connect them with their ideal customers and supporters. My clients include Native Brew Works —which my husband is a co-owner of — Soul Shine Studios, Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Arkansas, and Hope Found of Northeast Arkansas.

What has been the most fulfilling moment of your career so far? It’s incredibly hard to say what the most fulfilling moment of my career is, because I get to help both small businesses and nonprofits succeed. 

On the small business side, I’m incredibly grateful to get to work alongside my husband and craft a brand that is all about community. Seeing people love that brand and rep that brand is so fulfilling because their support of Native literally supports our family. 

On the nonprofit side, I work with organizations that are making the world better. One of my clients, Hope Found, is fighting to end human trafficking. I help them bring education to the community and raise funds that serve survivors. To me, human trafficking is one of the most horrific things that can happen to a person. And I get to help people that are making a real difference in a tangible way. That’s incredibly fulfilling.

What advice would you give young women who are at the beginning of their careers? I would advise young women just beginning in their careers that they don’t have to fit into any one particular title or role. They can build the career, role, and lifestyle they want as long as they are willing to take leaps and seize opportunities.

How do you spend your time away from work? What are your hobbies? I’m fortunate that so much of my work blends with my life. This isn’t always easy, but it is often a blessing. My toddler gets to join me at photo shoots, and each of my clients are dear friends. When I’m not working on content or helping my clients put on events, I’m likely reading or traveling. I’ve been a runner the majority of my life, so I’m often training for a race or building an entire trip around a race with friends.

Do you have a significant other and/or children? If so, what do you guys like to do for fun? I refer to my husband, Jackson, our son, Oli, and our two dogs, Kona and Mira, as my pack. We like to climb mountains and float the river, but we’re also content to hang out on our porch on a beautiful day with a cold beer.  

What’s the last good book you read? The last good book I read was “Braving the Wilderness,” by Brene Brown. Everyone should read that book. It’s about the bravery to have hard conversations, be willing to learn and empathize, and about how we find true belonging.

What’s your favorite app at the moment? My favorite app will always be a music app. I’ve almost always got music on in the background.

What’s the next big personal or career challenge you plan to take on? I’d say the next thing I’d like to take on would be a big project with my husband. We have such different but complementary skills that I’d love to dive in on something that would allow us to use those side by side in a similar but different way than we work together at Native.

Who have been mentors who’ve influenced your professional career? I’d like to thank a few people for influencing my professional career. My high school coach, Karl Koonce, took a someone with no talent and turned them into a runner. I became a college athlete because he taught me that running is about hard work, determination, and teamwork. Dina Mason was my boss at MOR Media where I managed a magazine for several years. She saw my potential and empowered me to learn new things and evolve that role.

If you have a bucket list, what are the top three things on it? I don’t really have a bucket list. I want to show my son the world, take lots of adventures with my family, and retire early with some land on the river.