Jenna Burd didn’t just grow up around business – she lived it.
From her earliest memories, she watched her mother build an advertising agency from scratch while caring for her as a newborn. “I grew up absorbing everything my mom was doing – her drive, creativity, and resilience,” Jenna recalled. “That entrepreneurial spirit stuck with me.”
By the time she was 10, her father had started his own business as well. Watching both parents juggle professional ambition and family life gave Jenna a vision of the kind of future she wanted: one where she could chase her passions, build her own path, and still maintain balance and flexibility. “They told me entrepreneurship was an option,” she said. “It’s not something only certain people can do. Why not me?”
That early exposure wasn’t just inspiration – it became action. At the Lacy School of Business, Jenna immersed herself in academics, internships, and personal ventures, learning to navigate the delicate balance of risk, responsibility, and opportunity. “I wanted to dive all in, commit fully, and see what would happen,” the senior marketing and entrepreneurship major said. “This was the easiest time in my life to take risks.”
A turning point came through LSB’s Real Business Experience (RBE) program. As VP of Sales and CEO for the Men of Butler calendar – a student-led project that featured campus personalities in a playful, novelty way – Jenna discovered the art of leadership. “At first, I wanted to do everything myself,” she laughed. “But I quickly learned how to delegate while staying strategic. That experience taught me how to empower others while keeping the vision on track. It prepared me to lead teams for my own business.”
Fueled by that hands-on experience and her entrepreneurial roots, Jenna launched Yalla Solutions LLC, a digital-first fractional CMO agency. The name was inspired by a backpacking trip through Morocco, where she kept hearing the word Yalla, meaning “let’s go,” echoing across markets, desert trails, and cafés. “I loved that spirit of action and momentum,” she said. “I wanted to take that energy home and help businesses move forward.”
Yalla Solutions LLC focuses on helping startups and service businesses create effective digital marketing strategies, blending creativity with cutting-edge tools like AI to deliver measurable results. Through it, Jenna combines her love of problem-solving with her drive to empower others – an extension of the values she absorbed growing up.
But Jenna credits more than her family for her growth. The Butler Entrepreneurship ecosystem, and faculty mentorship – especially from Nick Smarrelli, lecturer in entrepreneurship and innovation – played a pivotal role. “The program brings students and alumni together in a way that fosters collaboration and growth,” she said. “I wouldn’t be where I am without it. The mentorship, resources, and support are incredible.”
Looking ahead, Jenna envisions Yalla Solutions LLC growing into the premier fractional marketing firm for service businesses in Indianapolis, with an expanded team and a wider impact on startups navigating the digital landscape. Yet she remains grounded in the principles that brought her this far: risk-taking, hands-on learning, and empowering others.
For students considering entrepreneurship, Jenna’s advice is simple but powerful: start.
“Prioritize speed over perfection,” she said. “Figure out what you’re good at, get your hands dirty, and learn by doing. Bet on yourself. You’ll never know what you can accomplish until you try.”
