Most businesses fail within their first three years — but yours doesn’t have to.
In this episode of Southaven Business Beat, host Cristan Engelke sits down with Jennifer Christian, founder of JC Business Consulting, to reveal exactly how to beat the infamous 3-Year Business Failure Curse and set your business up for long-term success.
After 20+ years in corporate auditing and compliance, Jennifer left her 9–5 to launch her own consulting business during COVID-19. Many entrepreneurs never make it past year three — but she not only survived, she thrived. Now she shares the proven methods that keep her clients in business year after year.
Her Proven Method
Jennifer’s approach is deeply personal — no cookie-cutter templates, just one-on-one strategies tailored to each client’s needs. She also taps into her network of trusted professionals so no challenge goes unsolved.
One key insight: trying to do everything alone is a fast track to burnout. Success requires building a support system, even without employees, so you can focus on your strengths.
Why Year 3 is Risky
Year 1 runs on excitement, Year 2 on learning — but by Year 3, owners often run out of energy, money, or direction. Common pitfalls:
• Neglecting marketing after the launch phase
• Overspending on the wrong things
• Failing to adapt to market changes
• Lacking strategic guidance
Jennifer’s solution: plan ahead, market consistently, and build momentum every year.
Social Media: A Survival Tool
The first thing people do is check your online presence. If your last post was a year ago, they may assume you’re closed. Jennifer urges business owners to post consistently, use video, and outsource marketing if needed — it’s not optional if you want to beat the odds.
Retainer Services
Her new retainer program ensures clients have ongoing access for questions, marketing guidance, and growth strategies long after the startup phase. This continuity helps prevent the loss of direction that sinks so many businesses.
Top 3 Steps to Outlast the 3-Year Curse
• Don’t go it alone – Build connections with mentors, your local chamber, and other business owners.
• Invest wisely – Spread resources across marketing, operations, and strategy.
• Stay in your lane – Focus on what you do best and outsource the rest.
Beyond Survival: Building a Legacy
For Jennifer, success is about more than making it to year four. She wants her clients — and the young women she mentors — to see that with determination, planning, and support, they can build a lasting legacy.
If you’re in your first few years of business or approaching year three, this episode could be your turning point.
💬 Question: What’s the biggest challenge your business faces right now? Drop it in the comments — you may just find your answer here.
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Connect with JC Business Consulting
🌐 iamjenchristian.com
📱 Facebook: JC Business Consulting
📸 Instagram & TikTok: @iamjenchristian
💼 LinkedIn: Jennifer Christian
📞 Also listed in the Southaven Chamber of Commerce directory
Chapters
00:00 – Intro
01:18 – Meet Jennifer Christian
02:04 – From Corporate to Entrepreneur
03:17 – Mentor Who Sparked the Leap
05:01 – Lessons from Jackie Metcalf
07:59 – Why Personal Coaching Works
10:23 – The One-on-One Difference
12:39 – Retainer Services for Growth
14:58 – Why Doing It All Alone Fails
16:29 – Social Media Survival Tips
19:28 – Avoiding the “Closed” Perception
21:22 – Top 3 Tips for Beating the Curse
23:36 – Chamber Membership Value
24:53 – Building a Lasting Legacy
27:03 – JC Business Consulting Services
28:05 – Final Words & Call to Action
Episode Sponsors
🎥 Pure Focus Media – High-quality video & content creation for businesses of all sizes. purefocus.media
💻 Wisdom Integrators – Simplifying tech with custom IT, audio, and video solutions. wisdomin.com
