Hello friendly faces! It’s a new Chicago North Shore Moms spotlight brought to you in part by Mary Gifford of Gifford Law.
Kind, patient, creative, and driven are just a few of the many qualities you’ll experience when meeting Jen Speer, the thoughtful and passionate founder behind Jay and Emee, a boutique social media content creation agency. Originally from a small town in northeast Ohio, Jen’s journey has taken her across the country and abroad, from high-end retail roles to building her own brand with a joyful, compassionate spirit and an exceptional work ethic. Now based on the North Shore, she is fully dedicated to helping small businesses grow with personalized social media strategies. Jen’s unwavering curiosity and dedication shine through as she continues to expand her business with a staff of equally driven women, fostering a workplace culture that values balance, creativity, and genuine human connection.
Get to know more about this amazing mother two, the little loves in her life, favorite North Shore stomping grounds (great recs) more on her career path to small business owner, a few golden nuggets of social media strategy advice and, finally, how to reach this amazing human to kickstart your social media strategy. Welcome Jen and Jay and Emee!
Hi Jen! Please introduce yourself. Where are you from originally? What city do you live in now? What brought you here?
Hi! I’m Jen Speer. I was born and raised in a small town in northeast Ohio, and, after finishing school, I had the opportunity to move around the country with a high-end fashion retailer, which eventually landed me in Seattle for eight years. While I loved the experience, my family and I felt it was time for a change, and as a true Midwesterner at heart, I was drawn back to the Midwest—this time, to the North Shore of Chicago. We’ve now been here for two and a half years, and it’s truly been the best decision for our family. We’re so grateful to call this area home!
Tell us about your children.
Though I don’t have biological children of my own, I am incredibly blessed to be a stepmom to two amazing kids who live with us full-time: my stepson, Reider, who is 13, and my stepdaughter, Rachel, who is 9. They came into my life when they were just 2 and 5, and they have truly been the greatest gift. Being their stepmom has brought so much joy and purpose to my life.
I love supporting them in their passions—I’m even the coach for Rachel’s cheerleading team and often do arts and crafts with her, which we both enjoy. Reider, on the other hand, shares a big passion for CrossFit, which is also how my husband and I met. Being part of their lives and watching them grow is a joy beyond words.
What are one or two fun facts to know about you?
Here are a few fun facts about me! I have two chickens named Pluck and Flower, along with two special-needs dogs, Baxter and Evee, who bring so much happiness to my life.
I grew up as a gymnast and transitioned to cheerleading after an injury, cheering all the way through college and teaching summer cheer camps for a national organization. My love for Chicago actually started back then—every Thanksgiving, I’d fly out to choreograph a performance for over 500 cheerleaders in the iconic Marshall Field’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Those experiences left a lasting impression and made Chicago feel like a second home long before I moved here.
What are your favorite local places, places and restaurants?
- Legendary Spa in Highland Park for spray tan and nails. I always get asked about my nail color. It’s 111 and put it in neutral by OPI, and you can only get that color combo there.
- RK Aesthetics: skincare
- Madame Zuzu’s: Obsessed with their crunch wrap must get it with the al pastor meat.
- Bright Bowls: It’s the love a bowl for me + a Heywell beverage
- Spirit Elephant: the best plant based for date nights
- Dayhouse Coworking: a great place to work when I’m not at home.
- Shopping at the Lake Forest Shop
- Lake Forest Juice for their palm springs bowl
- Hometown for their greek toast
- Wellyhaus for candles, and an assortment of treasures.
- Anna’s Mostly Mahogany for vintage furniture
- My Best Friend’s Closet for 2nd hand designer clothing. Every time I go in I find amazing pieces.
What are you reading and watching and/or listening to?
Reading: The last Mrs. Parish (in the PM) & always a business book (in the AM)
Watching: The Real Housewives of New York City
Listening: Always The Skinny Confidential Podcast
Your mantra?
My life mantra is simple: treat everyone with kindness and respect. I often joke that I’m like a golden retriever—I genuinely love people and am always eager to hear their stories. To me, it’s incredible how each person has a unique journey, filled with different backgrounds, triumphs, and challenges. I’m inspired by learning from others and sharing my own experiences along the way.
We only get one shot at this life. I once read that when people were interviewed at the end of their lives, their biggest regret was letting fear hold them back. That thought has stuck with me, and I strive to live each day with that in mind. I go all in, so that when I reach the end, I’ll know I pursued every dream and left the world just a little bit better.
Let’s get down to business. Please introduce Jay and Emme! When did you start this business? Tell us how this came to be and what drives your focus.
To share the story behind Jay and Emee, we have to go back to 2019. That was the year I left my corporate career in luxury retail to launch an event and marketing company focused on fitness and wellness. I created and produced hundreds of events, managing multiple social media accounts until the pandemic, which, unfortunately, forced me to close the business. Though the business ended, I’m grateful for the valuable lessons I gained from that experience.
During that transition, I turned to TikTok as a creative outlet to share my life stories, hoping to connect with others and feel less alone. To my surprise, my following grew by thousands with each post, eventually leading to brand partnerships. Missing the corporate world, I returned as a global change manager in 2022 while continuing to build my TikTok presence. (Ask me about the Beat Bob Walking Challenge!)
Over time, I realized I was burning out from constantly representing myself as a brand, so I pivoted, shifting my focus to help local small businesses with their social media. My passion for this work truly began during my global travels, where I often found myself in unfamiliar time zones, in places too unsafe to explore alone at night, and in need of a creative outlet. Growing small business accounts became my focus, and I loved every moment of it.
In February 2024, when my company decided to close its Chicago office and relocation wasn’t an option, I decided to fully invest in Jay and Emee. By April 2024, Jay and Emee became an official company, and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come.
What services do you provide?
- Full Social Media Management
- Email Marketing
- Website Design
- Social Media Coaching/Consulting
Tell us about your staff.
I’m currently working to bring two incredible contractors onto my team as full-time employees. One is my strategic director, and the other is my social media specialist. A fun fact about my strategic director: she was actually my coach back in my micro-influencing days on TikTok, helping me navigate brand deals and grow my platform. Now, she’s a vital part of my team, bringing her expertise to our projects.
My social media specialist is equally amazing—she just gets me. She anticipates my needs, is my go-to for brainstorming, and has a fantastic, solution-oriented mindset that I truly appreciate. Together, they bring such invaluable energy and skills to our team, and I’m so excited about our future together.
For our small business owners and entrepreneurs out there, what’s one or two pieces of advice you can offer with regards to social media success?
My top advice for small businesses and entrepreneurs starting out with social media is:
Think differently about social media for business: It’s essential to remember that social media for business isn’t about what you like; it’s about what your audience wants to see. I often hear clients focusing on their personal preferences, but the key is to connect with the person on the other side of the screen and give them content that resonates with them.
Prioritize video content: The era of perfectly curated feeds and static posts is behind us. Today, video content—especially short-form video—is what performs best on social media. This is why, for all our clients, we focus exclusively on creating engaging short-form videos, and they’re seeing real returns on investment. You don’t need to dance or even speak on camera; just be authentic and true to your brand.
Stay consistent and build community: Consistency is crucial, especially during the growth phase of your business. Aim to post at least once a day to maintain visibility and engage your audience. People connect with people, so let them see your personality and get to know the person behind the brand.
Is there anything else you’d like us to know about Jay and Emee?
People often ask me who Jay and Emee are—and surprisingly, they’re not people! When I was creating the company name, I wanted something unique and meaningful, almost like a hidden “Easter egg” (think Taylor Swift’s clever references in her songs). “Jay” represents the first initial of both my husband’s and my own name, while “Emee” is inspired by my favorite color, emerald green, and creatively spelled like my dog’s name, Evee. It’s a name with layers of personal significance, capturing both my passion and the special pieces of my life that mean the most to me.
What’s on the horizon for Jay and Emee?
I founded Jay and Emee with a clear mission: to redefine the way companies operate by fostering a culture of support, innovation, and balance. Having stepped away from corporate America twice, I’ve seen firsthand what works and what desperately needs change. My vision is to create a company where women feel empowered to be themselves, where their ideas are genuinely heard and put into action, and where work-life balance is a priority.
A core part of our mission is to provide meaningful benefits, including comprehensive healthcare, and my ultimate goal is to offer maternity leave benefits that match the standards seen in Europe—something I admired while working for a British company. This is my way of bringing a more human-centered approach to the workplace.
Looking ahead to 2025, I’m excited about our plans to expand our team and introduce some truly exciting new services. Stay tuned; there’s so much more to come!
What are you contact details?
The fastest way to reach me is via email [email protected]. My website is jayandemee.com. Tiktok: @thejenalexis
Personal IG @thejenalexis Work IG: @jayandemee
