Jess Rickus - The Woman Behind Studio Ninety

When I think of Jess Rickus, I think of Studio Ninety. And when I think of Studio Ninety, I think of Jess Rickus. The two are completely intertwined. Built from the same vision and the same energy. This is a woman who didn’t just find her way into this work; she grew into it, and somewhere along the way, it became clear she was exactly where she was meant to be.

Since launching Studio Ninety in 2024, Jess Rickus has quickly built a sought-after social media marketing agency in Burlington. It offers social media management, branding and strategy, content creation, and coaching services that reflect not only the needs of modern businesses, but the clarity and intention behind everything she builds.

Like a lot of us, Jess' life has taken many winding turns.

“Let’s go back in time a bit; to that period in my life where I was meant to choose what I wanted to be when we grew up. I was a science girl through and through, and I was athletic. So to me, it seemed only natural and right to pair the two and go into the field of Kinesiology. I loved it, and for all that it gave me, I am grateful for it,” Jess said.

“I didn’t set out thinking I’d run a social media agency… I mean let’s be honest, this world didn’t even exist when I was deciding what to do for the rest of my life.”

Jess followed a path that made sense at the time. Along the way, she got married and became the mother of two children; a son and a daughter.

But as her life evolved, so did her perspective on what fulfillment looked like.

“Now let’s fast forward a bit. I’ve been doing what I ‘was meant to do’ for a while now, and yet I was unfulfilled, overwhelmed and drained, and I knew that wasn’t something I wanted to carry into motherhood,” Jess said. “When I became a mom, it changed the way I viewed life and the way I navigated it. I knew there was something more for me than the 9-5 that was leaving me feeling empty.”

That shift became a turning point. What once felt stable, no longer felt sustainable for Jess.

It wasn’t until she stepped into entrepreneurship for the first time that things began to click in a new way.

“I started a clothing company a few years back, and suddenly I was fully immersed in the world of social media marketing. I knew that if I wanted a way out of the 9–5, I had to build something that worked and that meant learning how to market it,” Jess shared. “So I read, I practiced, I tested, and I figured it out.”

In building that first business, Jess discovered something she hadn’t expected.

“Over time, the business grew. But what I realized along the way was that my real passion wasn't clothing. It was the marketing. The storytelling. The strategy,” Jess said. “And the connection with other business owners who were trying to build something of their own.”

That realization marked the beginning of a new chapter.

“I got into social media marketing very organically. I started by connecting with local business owners through my clothing business and soon realized the struggle so many of them felt with social media marketing - something I found so much joy and passion in,” Jess said. “I was lucky to work for another social media company while I continued to learn and grow within the industry and eventually, I set out to build something of my own.”

When I asked Jess how she came up with the name, her answer was personal and intentional.

“The name is actually simple and personal. A “studio” is where creative work happens, and “ninety” is my birth year,” Jess said. “It felt like the right combination of creativity and something that represents me.”

Having grown up in Oakville and now based in Burlington for over a decade, Jess has built strong roots locally while working with clients across the GTA.

“We’re a mix of both remote and in-person strategy; and planning can happen anywhere,” Jess said. “But a big part of what we do is on-site filming and working closely with clients in their spaces.”

Her work is centered around supporting businesses that want to show up; but don’t always know how.

“Our audience is primarily small to medium-sized businesses who know they need to be showing up online,” Jess said. “But don’t have the time, structure, or internal resources to do it consistently and effectively.”

As demand grew, so did the need to expand beyond doing everything herself.

“Very quickly, and honestly, before I felt fully ready; I had to build a team. That was a big shift for me,” Jess shared. “I realized early on that I couldn’t grow the business, to the level that I wanted to, alone, and hiring allowed me to not only take on more, but do it better.”

She began building a team with intention, focusing not just on skill, but alignment.

“I’ve built a team of people who each bring something different; creativity, organization, and execution,” Jess said. “I’ve focused on alignment just as much as skill. People who care about the work, the clients, and the outcome.”

That same level of intention carries through into her client process, which always begins with strategy.

“Everything we do is strategy-first. We start by understanding the business - what they offer, who they’re speaking to, and what they want to be known for,” Jess shared.

From there, the work becomes both structured and creative.

“We have developed a custom, and very detailed questionnaire where clients dive deep into their brand and answer some difficult questions that help us understand their brand deeply.” Jess said. “From there, we build out content pillars, messaging, and a clear direction. Then we move into content planning, filming, editing, and execution.”

For those still learning how to show up, she offers guidance that feels accessible and practical.

“Our coaching is popular for businesses just starting out or businesses that don’t yet have the budget for full social media management,” Jess said. “But they are looking for support on how to show up online not only consistently, but intentionally and strategically.”

At the core of everything Jess does, is a message that reflects both her work and her approach.

“That content isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being intentional.”

In a space that often feels oversaturated, Jess believes the difference comes down to perspective.

“Your perspective; how you think, how you see things, how you communicate, that’s the one thing that can’t be replicated.” Jess said. “And when you focus on that, when you show up with clarity, consistency, and a genuine point of view, you build something much stronger than just content. You build trust. You build connections. You build a brand people actually remember.”

“Because at the end of the day, it’s not the most polished or the most frequent content that wins,” Jess continued. “It’s the content that makes people feel something, understand something, or see something differently.”

Like many women balancing multiple roles, Jess approaches work and home life with an understanding that balance is not fixed—it shifts over time, depending on the season she’s in.

“I think balance looks different in every season,” Jess said. “It’s about being present in whatever you’re in at that moment.”

That presence, Jess explains, is only possible because of the support system around her; both in business and at home.

“I truly have the best support system. My team is incredible and without them, Studio Ninety wouldn’t be what it is today,” Jess said. “And the same goes for my family. My husband, my parents, my in-laws, my siblings - they are my village. When my third baby, my business, needs more of me, they step in on the home side so I can show up fully.”

At the same time, building a business outside of a traditional structure has required her to be intentional about boundaries; something she continues to work on.

"I’ve become a lot more intentional about creating boundaries; carving out time to unplug, being present with my family, and not always being ‘on,’ Jess said. “It’s not perfect, and it’s something I’m constantly working on, but that awareness has made a big difference.”

What continues to drive Jess in her work is the impact it has on other business owners; often in ways that go beyond what’s visible on the surface.

“Honestly, it’s knowing that I’m taking something off someone’s plate that has been sitting there, weighing on them,” Jess said. “And I think that shift is really underrated. It’s not just about better content. It’s about giving someone the ability to focus on what they’re actually great at, and what’s going to move their business forward in a bigger way.”

As Studio Ninety continues to grow, Jess is focused on strengthening what happens behind the scenes; building systems, refining processes, and continuing to support her clients at a higher level.

Outside of business, Jess’ passions reflect the same intentional approach she brings to her work. Health and wellness, is something Jess is actively working to prioritize again. Jess also loves creating spaces that feel personal and lived-in, and is currently in the middle of home renovations.

“At home, we’re very much an entrepreneurial family. I’m married to a contractor, so we’re currently in the process of renovating a home into something that truly feels like ours,” Jess shared. “It’s creative, it’s messy at times, but it’s something we’re building together.”

And in speaking to other women navigating entrepreneurship, her message is simple, but grounded in experience.

“You don’t have to carry it all,” Jess said. “I think a lot of women in entrepreneurship are used to being the one who holds everything; the ideas, the execution, the pressure, the expectations. And at a certain point, that stops being sustainable. Growth isn’t about doing more. It’s about knowing what to hold onto… and what to let go of.”

For Jess Rickus, her business isn’t just about content, it’s about connection. And in helping others tell their stories, she built one of her own. ||

PS. The Little Things

1. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up? On the weekend - coffee. On school days - run around like a crazy lady getting the kids out the door. 

2. What is your favorite thing to wear? Athleisure or loungewear, hands down.

3. If you could pick one word to describe you what would it be? Heart-led. 4. What’s one beauty tip you would pass on? Wash your makeup off every single night. On the odd occasion just let a girl crash without the 8-step. 

5. Everyday is better with: Sunshine.