Jill Maehnhoefer

Having originally written my university personal statement for mental health nursing ( which was actually really rash decision I was about to make ) I knew in my heart that it wouldn’t be the path my heart called for . So I took a gap year to figure out what I’m truly passionate about . 

My journey to marketing started in the chair of my own business(J’suite). Running a hairstyling business taught me that the best work isn't just about the service; it's about the positive emotional shift I had an impact on . Watching a client's confidence bloom after a fresh loc re-twist or an intricate cornrow design is what fuels me. I used this to teach myself, through trial and error , about what content marketing could do for my business and really enjoyed the creation process . To broaden my knowledge into this sector, I then decided to join Digital marketing at BCU .

I’ve always been a creator at heart, whether I’m vlogging my travels, capturing the beauty of a sunset or perfecting latte art . I realised that the ‘business’ side of being creative was where I could make the biggest impact.

Joining the Tribera Academy was my way of taking that raw, creative energy and building it into a professional, strategic toolkit.

Marketing, to me, is the art of speaking with people, not at them. My empathetic lens makes it easy to put myself in an audience's shoes and craft a message that feels like an invitation rather than a transaction. I believe that anyone can build a brand, but the real challenge is communicating it in a language that resonates. I love that creative marketing allows a brand to be human, authentic and specific and I’m obsessed with finding the 'hook' that makes a consumer stop, feel something, and engage.

I live in Coventry, so I’m right in the heart of the West Midlands, and honestly, I’m not tied to any city to build my career in. However ,Birmingham’s creative scene is currently in this incredible growth phase and having been to quite a lot of networking events, I love the supportive ,creative and authentic community that has been built . I want to be a part of the generation that helps put Birmingham firmly on the map for top-tier creative success. We have so much raw talent and I want to help build a bridge where local businesses and creative voices can actually be heard on a national scale.

Over the next couple of years, I want to join an agency (or a brand in the fashion/ beauty sector) as a Social Media Strategist or Content Creative to find out exactly where I thrive. I’m looking to learn from a team that stays curious, values creative risk-taking and truly believes that strategy without soul is just noise. My goal is to build lasting connections within and outside the industry,to be known not just for my ever-evolving skills, but for who I am and what I stand for. As well as freelancing on the side ,I see myself leading the narrative for brands that want to connect with their audiences creating content that is visually scroll-stopping and emotionally and culturally sharp.

People are usually surprised when they find out I’ve been doing my own hair since I was about eight years old ( but it definitely didn’t look great,yikes) ,I honestly just couldn't handle the struggle of how much it hurt when my mum did it, so I decided to take matters into my own hands! And that’s how I became even better at doing my clients’ hair .

Also, I currently have a serious obsession with TK Maxx - it’s a sport for me. There is something about that 'found it, buy it now or it’s gone forever' pressure that genuinely thrills me ( and my shopping addiction) .If I’m not making content or doing hair, you can definitely find me hunting for a hidden gem in TK Maxx.