Jack Chiarello built a seven-figure digital media empire not with capital, but with memes. Without formal business training or investor backing, he started in his parents’ basement and now has a 300-million-follower Instagram empire. 

Now the owner of the marketing agency Jcenterprises Media in Ottawa, Canada, Chiarello’s success runs counter to what most people believe about entrepreneurship. He started without a plan, enjoying a hobby, and evolved his platform into a marketing agency that rivals traditional companies.

Growth Without Funding or Flash

Chiarello was a teenager when he started his first Instagram meme page. It wasn’t his intention to eventually turn it into a marketing company. In fact, he didn’t have a business plan. 

“I liked understanding what people found funny and why. Memes were just the fastest way to test that,” Chiarello says.

As his page gained an audience and continued to gain traction, Chiarello studied what caused something to go viral in the digital space. He continued to post daily and analyzed the resulting engagement. As he learned what worked and what didn’t, Chiarello started to reverse-engineer trends. Steadily increasing growth resulted, and his one-page document eventually expanded to dozens.

While living in his parents’ basement, Chiarello continued to study the science behind social media. He understood what many others didn’t. It wasn’t just about posting regularly; it was about posting at the right time with relatable content that resonated with the target audience. 

As his monetized pages generated revenue, Chiarello reinvested in his operations. Unlike others in digital entertainment, he didn’t spend his profits on a flashy lifestyle; he built the infrastructure of his digital empire. 

“I never needed a flashy lifestyle. I cared more about building something that lasted,” Chiarello explains.

Dual Commitment

Throughout the building of his new digital media company, Chiarello remained committed to his education. He split his time between pursuing his law degree and managing his media operation, which now had global reach. Chiarello saw similarities between the two endeavors.

“Law teaches discipline and structure. So does building media at scale,” Chiarello notes.

Working within the Instagram ecosystem, the young man in his early twenties reaches younger audiences that traditional media companies often struggle to reach. Chiarello’s extensive examination of why social media posts go viral has enabled him to deliver culturally relevant content while studying at law school.

There are advantages to expanding his knowledge base, including the ability to handle contracts, intellectual property, and platform compliance. 

Operational Innovation

Despite early skepticism about his plan to turn his social media into a steady income, Chiarello reached six figures in revenue before his 22nd birthday. 

He has also had to deal with people attempting to scam him and betrayal by friends and family he trusted. 

Chiarello came out the other side successfully because of his disciplined focus and resilience in difficult times. 

Sadly, he has also had to maneuver through a complex online world that is sometimes predatory while also dealing with real-life problems.

Some may see Chiarello’s youth as a detriment, but he has successfully expanded his digital marketing business through an unorthodox approach. The young owner of Jcenterprises Media now plans to expand into original content, licensing, and long-term brand ownership. 

As for his advice for young entrepreneurs, Chiarello concludes, “I recommend routine, along with not letting others get in your head with their opinions. If your idea doesn’t sound crazy to others, it’s not a big enough idea.”

Written in partnership with Tom White