Meet Christina Gnozzo: President and Founder, Jab Media

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

Hi Christina, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
To be honest, starting a business was never a top priority for me. I had spent a decade climbing the ranks of various PR agencies and was fortunate enough to work on innovative teams for incredible brands. My focus a few months prior to launching my business was on my then-current clients, team and agency of employment. And then the pandemic hit. After a sweeping round of layoffs that left the industry and world shook, I found myself digging deeper to figure out what precisely I wanted my next step to be. I read an endless amount of books. One article that particularly spoke to me was from Harvard Business Review’s On Mental Toughness, “How the Best of the Best Get Better and Better,” by Graham Jones. The article compares the qualities between elite business executives and athletes—finding resounding parallels such as drive, determination and the innate ability to push and exceed through extraordinary circumstances. An athlete myself, I was moved by the article and by the blatant resilience of those around me. I shifted my focus to see the opportunity in the seemingly dire circumstances. I wanted to help businesses navigate the tribulating times and offer job opportunities to industry members. The idea of Jab Media swept over me and I started taking steps toward making it happen. I wanted to instill values, purpose and a forward-thinking approach to my business. So, taking the same ideals from the playing field—or in this case, the boxing ring—I ultimately founded Jab Media in October 2020. I’m proud to share that since our inception, we’ve been able to provide public relations, social media and marketing services to a variety of startups, and wellness, consumer and hospitality brands that push the needle in their respective industries. True to sport, Jab Media embraces the importance of teamwork and standing up for what you believe in. We empathize with the businesses impacted by COVID-19, which is why we offer flexible services to those seeking insight now, more than ever. We also are proud to support feminist and anti-racist movements, and continue to donate a portion of our profits to organizations that support these ideologies.

What should our readers know about your business?
Owning a business starts with a vision. My vision was to take a creative, mission-driven approach to communications. I wanted to provide resources and strategies to growing businesses and an outlet for writers, publicists, designers and creatives looking to express themselves through meaningful work. This is what I’ve accomplished in creating Jab Media, and this is what excites me and gets me out of bed in the morning. One major lesson I’ve experienced along the way is to stay true to your own vision. Don’t be afraid to adjust where need be, and try not to get too lost in the granular details of your business. As a founder of any company, unpredictable problems will arise that you will have to work through, and that’s okay. If you have a vision that you want to see come to life, focus on taking small steps each day toward your goals, and you’ll be surprised looking back at how much you’ve accomplished by staying true to a daily routine.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Los Angeles is one of those magical cities that constantly evolves with the people who live in it. I have been fortunate enough to experience the city for almost a decade, and can still say that one of my favorite spots in the city is Runyon Canyon. There’s nothing better than waking up extra early to hike a mountain, then resume your day after basking in the beautiful weather and views. This is certainly a first stop for any visitors, as it’s perfectly nestled close enough to the city as to not impose on plans later in the evening. I’d also take visitors to Griffith Park for more beautiful views of the city, and Hermosa Beach for some beach volleyball followed by brunch. No Los Angeles list would be complete without including the incredible culinary scene of the city. This could include taking guests to delicious Los Angeles staples like République or Guerrilla Tacos, or enjoying the rooftop dining scene that’s vibrant throughout the city during non-COVID times.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
One of the most important jobs in the world is that of a teacher. I have been fortunate enough to have a few in my life that have inspired me and propelled me forward in ways that I could not have identified on my own. This has been evident in my life, particularly beginning in high school with an encouraging English teacher and in college with a public relations professor. Moving forward in my career, I’ve continued to surround myself with people who inspire me. Whether it be certain managers, industry members, friends or creatives, I’ve found it vitally important to align myself with those who inspire me to be better—personally and professionally. This has made all the difference in my life.

Website: https://www.jabmedia.us/

Instagram: @jabmedia.us

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jabmediaus

Twitter: n/a

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jabmedia.us/

Yelp: n/a

Youtube: n/a

Other: n/a