Not an agency. Not a freelancer. A marketing partner who gets things done.
Running a small business is hard enough without juggling marketing, too. I help owner-operators build a clear plan, make smart decisions, and actually get the work done — without the overhead of an agency or the limits of a freelancer.
3 BIG questions that need answers...
(Not necessarily in this order. Click to get answers.)
1. What the heck does Atomic28 mean?
2. What qualifies you to do small business marketing?
3. Will I get RESULTS with you?
What the heck does Atomic28 mean?
Jon’s last name is Nicol — pronounced nickel — like the coin. And also like that element used to make stainless steel and rechargeable batteries. And nickel’s atomic number on the periodic table is… wait for it… 28!
So (literally) nothing earth-shaking or radioactive. But it started off as Jon Nicol Marketing — that’s boring enough to make your face numb.
What qualifies you to do small business marketing?
Jon’s been an owner of a small business AND has agency experience working with small businesses. Here’s why that matters.
Small Business Ownership Experience…
I know what it’s like to run a small business where everything depends on you. For over a decade, I was in the hot seat — juggling production, service, bookkeeping, and marketing.
That experience gave me deep empathy for business owners and a clear sense of what’s worth your time (and what’s not).
...Plus, Agency Experience
Before starting Atomic28, I worked as a Senior Marketing Strategist for a local agency serving small and mid-sized businesses. That taught me the value of simple strategies, honest feedback, and showing up consistently for clients.
Will I get RESULTS with you?
That’s the right question to ask!
I fully understand the hesitation to invest in marketing. As a small business owner, I had the experience of giving wads of money to Facebook and Google — and then seeing zero results… NOTHING!
But I also know what it’s like when an ad, a piece of content, or a webpage starts creating engagement, leads, and sales.
If you’d like to see some of my results — including seeing samples of my work — go here view my portfolio.
About Jon
Get to know me...
My path to marketing was NOT typical. When I started an online education business in my 30s, that's when my marketing education began — copywriting, paid ads, SEO, website development, graphic design, video editing, email marketing, and on and on.
Eventually, I learned where my sweet spots are: strategy, copywriting, email marketing, and leadership, and I built a team to help me with the rest.
If we work together, here's what you can expect...
- High energy to launch new projects & initiatives
- A leader, team-builder, and encourager
- Big-picture thinking and strategic planning that focuses on practical execution
- I'll ask a lot of questions when we analyze issues to make sure we truly understand it
- Someone who doesn't always take himself too seriously, but takes the work seriously
- I'll probably order fish tacos if we go to a Mexican restaurant
And a little about my family...
Shannon and I have been married since August 2001. We have four kids, Aedan (2005), Addie (2007), Corbin (2011), and Cora (2013). Shannon teaches fourth grade and the kids all play multiple sports. Our two oldest are both serve in the Air National Guard.
We love hiking (mostly—Cora's not the biggest fan). And we like playing cards and board games. NONE of us like losing.
Only one of my children inherited my wife's quiet demeanor. The rest are more like me... for which I apologize to her daily.
We live in Lexington, Ohio, which is just outside of Mansfield.
Want to talk about your marketing?
Small Business Marketing is Tough
If you’ve ever felt like your marketing’s a guessing game — or worse, a waste — you’re not alone. Most small business owners are hustling hard with limited time, budget, and support. I’ve been there, too.
Below are five patterns I see all the time. If even one sounds familiar, know this: it’s normal (and fixable).
As a owner/operator of a small business, do any of these typical approaches to marketing fit your efforts?
1. Phantom Marketing
Your marketing is non-existent (or close to it). You’ve relied mostly on word-of-mouth referrals, an occasional social post, or one-off efforts like trade shows or local sponsorships. But without a consistent small business marketing strategy, there’s no clear path to your growth goals.
2. Scattered marketing
Your efforts are all over the place — reactive, not strategic. You’re trying different marketing tactics for your local business, but it feels like throwing stuff at the wall and hoping something sticks.
3. Stop and Start Marketing
You launch a few things, then pull back. It might be because it’s too expensive, you’re overwhelmed with client work, or your team doesn’t have the bandwidth to keep up with marketing. Either way, there’s no momentum.
4. Always-Done-It-This-Way Marketing
You’re stuck in a rut. Whether it’s traditional print ads or outdated digital tactics, what used to work doesn’t anymore. But the idea of switching it up — especially without a clear marketing plan for small business — feels risky.
5. Never Enough Marketing
You’re doing something… but it never feels like enough. You have marketing activity, maybe even a loose plan, but no results you can track. There’s pressure to do more — but no clarity on what or how.
I used every one of these approaches while growing my own small business. And I still remember the sting of pouring money into ads with no return on investment.
That’s why I created the GPS Marketing Framework — a proven path that gives small business owners in Mid-Ohio and beyond a way to:
- Face the real challenges of owner-operated marketing
- Protect your profits with a strategy that fits your budget
- Build a system that’s sustainable for your time, your team, and your tools
Want a free self-assessment for your marketing?
Get the free GPS Framework Scorecard.