Jesse Oxford | Building Brands That Last

What makes some organizations thrive for decades while others fade away after a promising start? Jesse Oxford, founder and creative director of Ox Creative, has spent years pondering this question—not just as the leader of a successful creative agency, but as someone fascinated by the intersection of longevity and impact.

Jesse's creative journey began not with heavy metal (despite his joking claims about ACDC and Black Sabbath shaping his infant years) but with craft projects that provided a sense of belonging as he moved between eight different schools before eighth grade. These early experiences taught him how creativity could serve as a bridge when words failed, especially in unfamiliar environments. Later, through an internship at a Chicago megachurch, Jesse discovered filmmaking and began developing the skills that would eventually lead to founding his own creative agency.

The most compelling revelation from our conversation comes from Jesse's current research project examining century-old nonprofit organizations. Working with Baylor University researchers, Jesse discovered approximately 7,000 nonprofits worldwide have survived for 100+ years. His investigation revealed six crucial principles these enduring organizations share, with perhaps the most fundamental being an enduring founding mission. "If your mission is built around something that may not last in a hundred years," Jesse explains, "you may need to revise it to be something that will still be a clear need without people questioning your identity every time there's a huge change or innovation."

Throughout his career, Jesse has helped cause-based organizations harness creative storytelling to illuminate their work. He observed how innovative nonprofits like Invisible Children and TOMS pioneered film-based communication strategies while other established organizations struggled with outdated approaches. This experience informed Ox's mission to elevate nonprofit messaging to match the quality of profit-driven companies.

For those feeling the pressure of instant success, Jesse offers sage wisdom: "Just because something isn't happening instantaneously doesn't mean anything's wrong." He points to Colonel Sanders starting KFC in his late 50s and Christopher Nolan directing Memento at 40 as reminders that meaningful impact often requires patience and persistence.

Connect with Jesse on LinkedIn or follow @OxCreates on social media to learn more about his upcoming book "Here for Good" and discover how your organization can achieve both lasting endurance and meaningful impact.

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