Black History Month Spotlight: Clifton Jackson, FireVibe Web Design
Thank you to Clifton Jackson of FireVibe Web Design for answering these questions for Black History Month! Learn more about the Chamber’s DEIA Committee here.
Where were you born and raised and, if it was someplace else, when and why did you come to Loudoun?
I was born in Takoma Park, MD, and raised in Montgomery County, MD. I
joined the Loudoun Chamber because of the reputation of the chamber even though I live in Maryland.
Tell us about FireVibe Web Design, and how long you’ve been in your industry.
Firevibe Web Design is a Black-Owned web design agency that builds visually stunning, easy-to-update websites in a way that helps companies get found by search engines. We are in our first year of operation and currently have about 40 clients. We have a total team of 4.
We are a part of the David W. Fletcher Incubator at Hagerstown Community College. It is a 2-year program designed to help small businesses scale and build capacity. Our offices are on the campus.
How did you get into this line of work?
I got into this line of work after working in software development leadership for 12 years although my website design skills were honed on Myspace in my late teens lol.
Have you had any special mentors or inspirations that guided your career?
In terms of mentors, I had the chance to work with senior leaders across industries in my full-time career who mentored me and showed me how to drive revenue to grow businesses and companies. It would be difficult to name them all but I did work closely with several CTOs and VPs who showed me the ropes in the technology sector.
What is the best part of your job and why?
The best part about my job is being a strategic part of helping small businesses grow.
We are often one of the first points of contact for businesses who are just getting started and we can watch companies grow through increased online presence.
What is it like doing business in Loudoun?
I like working with companies in Loudoun County because the area is simply so beautiful. Driving to client sites is always a beautiful drive (besides Route 7 lol).
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black history isn’t a month to me, it’s a lifestyle.
I was fortunate to study political science and government at an HBCU. My studies showed me the struggles that have been and are still being overcome. We are happy to be a part of making Black history.
Favorite things to do when you are not working?
Outside of work, I like spending time with my 2-year-old daughter and my 13-year-old son. He plays basketball so I spend a lot of time at his games. I also love to hike, bike, and kayak.
Check out Clifton’s business FireVibe Web Designs on their website!