Marian Jackson
Through the community, structure, and coaching inside the GeekPack + Verizon program, Marian gained direction to begin building a digital business rooted in her decades of caregiving experience.
“It was just really valuable to have a safe place to ask questions, share ideas, and learn from others,” she says. “That support made all the difference.”
Marian spent her career in academia - first as a scientist and faculty member, then as an administrator - while raising three children and caring for aging parents.
After decades of nonstop responsibility and career burnout, she stepped away from the workforce and was able to help family members more fully.
When her Dad died, for the first time in years, she had time, space... and no obligations.
But that didn’t mean she was done giving to others.
Having navigated the emotional and logistical challenges of long-distance caregiving for both of her parents, Marian knew she had something valuable to share.
What began as an idea for a memoir slowly evolved into something more scalable: a digital business offering content and tools to help others in similar caregiving situations.
“I thought maybe I should start a blog… and then I started thinking, how could I monetize it, even just to cover the costs?” she recalls. “Eventually I realized: this could be a business.”
She began researching, learning, and outlining product ideas. She registered a sole proprietorship, opened a business bank account - but still felt unsure how to bring it all together.
That’s when she joined the GeekPack + Verizon Small Business Digital Ready cohort - and found a program that spoke more directly to her needs as a digital entrepreneur.
Marian had participated in many training programs over the years, but most were designed for traditional brick-and-mortar businesses. Very few spoke directly to the 100% digital model she envisioned - and even fewer felt personal.
The GeekPack + Verizon cohort was different.
“There are a lot of training opportunities out there in the U.S.,” she says. “But they’re so broad that they’re not responsive to the kind of business I want to have. This was the first one that really felt relevant - it was digital, and it focused on the kind of work I’m doing.”
The content inside the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready platform, paired with live coaching from Glenna and peer interaction, gave Marian structure, accountability, and insight - even though she was still in the early stages of building her business.
One of the biggest shifts Marian experienced was learning to participate more actively and confidently - especially as someone who’s deeply introverted.
“My tendency is to lurk,” she admits. “But I pushed myself to actively participate - to post in the support area, to attend the live sessions, to use the chat. That was a real growth experience for me.”
She credits Glenna, the GeekPack coach, for making that possible.
“Glenna was amazing - so supportive, so approachable. She always commented on our posts, encouraged us, and created a space where I felt safe speaking up,” Marian says. “Honestly, that was one of the most valuable parts of the program.”
Though she had joined many programs before, this was the first one where she felt like she was truly part of a community - not just a passive participant.
Because Marian’s business was still in development, she wasn’t able to implement everything immediately. But that didn’t diminish the value - in fact, it may have increased it.
“Some of the assignments I couldn’t do, because I didn’t have content or a website yet,” she explains. “But that gave me an opportunity to approach things differently. I now have insights that I learned before making the mistakes - so hopefully I’ll do it better the first time, instead of having to fix things later.”
The program helped her think strategically about how her content and digital products would connect, and how to approach tech choices in a way that made sense for her timeline and needs.
Beyond the strategy and skills, the biggest change Marian experienced was internal.
She describes herself as more confident, more focused, and more comfortable with the pace she’s chosen.
“I feel more confident that the decisions I’ve made are okay,” she says. “They’re not going to break me. I’m staying the course, and I feel good about that.”
Even more important, she’s confronting a long-held fear of being visible online - a fear the cohort helped her face.“I can’t keep avoiding social media,” she says. “For me, that’s deep-seated - both professionally and personally. But part of being authentic is not hiding. And that realization came directly from this program.”
Can you share a quick overview of your business?
My business isn't fully launched yet, but here's the background. I had a long career as a scientist and academic administrator, and after burning out and caring for my father long-distance, I began to consider creating a blog or digital resources for others facing similar caregiving situations. That idea slowly evolved into a plan to start a business offering digital products and content, especially focused on helping people navigate caregiving while living far away. I also have ideas for a lifestyle blog about post-employment life, but I’m prioritizing the caregiving angle for now. I’ve registered a sole proprietorship, gotten a tax ID, opened a business bank account—just haven’t launched publicly yet.
How long have you been in business or worked in this role?
I’ve been in the planning and learning phase for about three years. I’ve done a lot of self-education—virtual summits, lead magnets, YouTube, etc.—but recently I realized I need to put some deadlines in place and start producing. Right now, I’m working on completing a few digital products and related blog posts that will eventually become the foundation of my business.
What problems were you looking to solve by signing up for the GeekPack + Verizon Cohort?
I wasn’t solving one specific problem—it was more about needing support and insight. Starting a digital business on my own felt overwhelming. I come from an academic background, and I knew I had to change the way I communicate to connect with a broad online audience. I also needed help figuring out how to piece everything together—from content creation to digital products and calls to action. The cohort gave me insight into digital business best practices and helped me feel less alone in this.
Have you seen any tangible returns (more money, more customers, client feedback) from implementing what you learned?
Not yet—but that’s because I’m still building. I didn’t have a website or content ready during the cohort, so I couldn’t implement everything right away. That said, I now have a much better understanding of what to pay attention to from the start, so I can avoid mistakes and build things correctly the first time.
Do you feel more confident with digital skills for your business than you did before?
Yes, but in a broader sense. It’s not just about digital skills—I feel more confident in the path I’m taking and the decisions I’ve made for my business. I’m moving slowly, but I’m okay with that. I have realistic expectations, and the cohort helped validate that my approach is still a valid one.
What were your biggest challenges during the cohort or with the courses?
The biggest challenge was that the Verizon platform content was sometimes outdated, which made it difficult to rely on. Thankfully, the GeekPack cohort and live sessions helped clarify what was still relevant and what wasn’t. Also, some technical quirks—like being logged out of the platform mid-course—were frustrating.
What else would benefit your business for you to learn?
I’ll need more support as I build my website, particularly with making smart decisions around content structure and tools. I’ve decided to focus on content first, and may use a simple platform like Google Sites before diving into WordPress. I also plan to tap into the GeekPack community for support and to get feedback on those early decisions.
Did you feel supported when going through the Digital Ready courses and being part of the GeekPack cohort community?
Absolutely. Glenna, the coach, was incredibly engaged and supportive, and the live sessions were helpful. I was surprised more people didn’t take advantage of the community aspect, but for me, it was a safe space to ask questions and participate. That support really pushed me out of my comfort zone, especially as an introvert.
Did joining the GeekPack cohort help with your progress in the Digital Ready courses?
Yes. It gave structure and accountability, and helped me discover additional resources on the platform I might have missed. Having a guided path made Digital Ready feel less overwhelming, and it motivated me to explore even beyond the cohort content.
What was your most impactful takeaway from your time in the GeekPack cohort?
The importance of visibility. I’m extremely private and introverted, and this experience forced me to participate, show up, and be seen. I realized I can’t avoid social media or stay anonymous if I want to connect with people authentically. It was a big mindset shift, and I’m now thinking differently about how I show up online.
In your opinion, what is the most valuable part of being in the Cohort?
The community—especially Glenna’s leadership and the live calls. It was so helpful to learn from others and feel part of something. Even though I didn’t always have something to share, hearing others’ questions and experiences was valuable.
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