Business Expert Session: Small Business, Big Impact: AI-Powered Marketing

Event description

AI doesn’t have to be complicated—or expensive—to make a meaningful impact on your business. In this practical, hands-on session, SparkStory Marketing breaks down how solopreneurs and small business owners can use AI to market smarter, save time, and show up more consistently without needing a big team.

We’ll walk through real-world AI marketing tools and simple workflows you can start using immediately—from content creation and messaging to planning and optimization. You’ll learn what’s actually worth your time, what to skip, and how to use AI as a reliable marketing assistant (not a replacement for your voice or values).

Attendees will leave with clear examples, actionable strategies, and practical takeaways they can apply the same day—no technical background required.

Presenter: Jennifer Christensen – Co-Founder & CEO, SparkStory Marketing

Jennifer Christensen is a marketing strategist, AI ethics advocate, and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience helping organizations grow with clarity, integrity, and purpose. A city girl who unexpectedly fell in love with Alaska, Jennifer found her calling in an unlikely place. After an early business failure rooted in misplaced priorities, she rebuilt her life and career from the ground up—an experience that led her to faith, humility, and the conviction that real success is measured by impact, not ego. At 40, she co-founded Beacon Media + Marketing in Anchorage, scaling it from a two-person startup into a three-time Inc. 5000–recognized national digital agency serving clients across the U.S. For more than ten years, she led strategy and innovation, blending storytelling, data, and emerging technologies to drive results. Today, as CEO of SparkStory Marketing, Jennifer partners with small businesses and mission-driven organizations to help them grow their reach without losing their soul. Her work centers on ethical AI adoption and modern marketing systems that support sustainable, purpose-led growth. Jennifer is a mom of three Alaska-grown children, a wife of 33 years, and a passionate advocate for faith-driven leadership. Her mission is to help leaders harness AI and marketing strategy to amplify their impact and build a lasting legacy.

Presenter: Sara Jokela – Co-Founder & COO, SparkStory Marketing

Sara Jokela is the Co-Founder and COO of SparkStory Marketing, where today she partners with founders and business owners to bridge vision and execution through clear strategy and sustainable systems. A builder by nature, she brings structure, care, and momentum to complex ideas that need practical follow-through. Her background includes banking and mortgage lending, followed by years outside the traditional marketplace where she raised and homeschooled her children while building and leading volunteer teams and organizational systems. That season sharpened her ability to lead without titles, bring clarity to ambiguity, and execute in people-centered environments. A lifelong Alaskan and married for over 30 years, Sara leads with steadiness, integrity, and a long-term view of growth. Sara is committed to helping leaders build responsibly—without chaos, burnout, or compromise.

Business Impact NW serves clients in 3 time zones. Please take note of the start time that corresponds with your location.

11:30 am – 1:00 pm PT
10:30 am – 12:00 pm AKT
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm MT

Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact coaching@businessimpactnw.org or call (206) 324-4330