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An Interview with Marilize Jacobs, Founder of VocalCord Reputation Management

  • Writer: Great Companies
    Great Companies
  • 3 days ago
  • 4 min read

Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business?

Marilize Jacobs: Although interior decorating had always been a personal passion, I initially pursued a different professional path. I studied BCom and began my career in marketing and public relations (PR), working as a brand and marketing manager for various blue-chip companies. In 2005, I launched my first PR consultancy, VocalCord.


However, in 2008, while expecting my twins, Ernest and Engelize, I made the decision to shift gears. I studied interior decorating part-time and started Pigs Can Fly Interiors. But being a single mother came with financial realities, and I had an idea: Why not combine both my strengths—PR and interior design? Why not live a dual-career life?


One of my interior clients needed help promoting their newly decorated office. I put up my (slightly shaky) hand—and just like that, VocalCord was reborn. I discovered immense joy in combining my creative and strategic capabilities. It became the perfect blend of my interests, experience, and energy.


Great Companies: What are the various services provided by VocalCord Reputation Management?

Marilize Jacobs: There’s often confusion between Public Relations (PR) and Reputation Management, so let me clarify with a fun analogy:

PR vs. Reputation Management – The Circus Example Imagine a circus coming to town: PR is the flashy posters and megaphones that build excitement ("Come see the fire-breathing unicorns!"). Reputation Management is what kicks in when the lion escapes during the show ("Don’t panic! He loves belly rubs! Also, free cotton candy for everyone!").

PR = Building the hype. Reputation Management = Saving the show when things go wrong.

At VocalCord, we do both. We create buzz and also build trust that lasts. Our core offerings include:

  • Public Relations strategy and execution

  • Crisis and reputation management

  • Brand messaging audits and refinement

  • Media outreach and narrative control

  • Executive visibility and thought leadership





Great Companies: What makes VocalCord different from hundreds of other service providers?

Marilize Jacobs: At VocalCord, I like to call myself a “PR therapist” or “Reputation mechanic.” I don’t just make brands look good—I fix what’s broken underneath.

Here’s what sets us apart:

🔍 Diagnosing Real Pain Points: Most PR firms just say, "Look at my client!" I go deeper—spotting weak messaging, trust gaps, and hidden missed opportunities. I fix those first.

🛡️ Building Trust Like a Safety Net: Before chasing fame, I ensure credibility. I create long-term trust with my clients, much like a trapeze artist who earns gasps only after proving their balance.

🎯 Custom Strategy, Not Copy-Paste: No recycled playbooks. No AI templates. I craft custom strategies tailored to each brand’s audience—whether it’s a startup, a crisis, or a B2B player.

💡 My informal tagline? "PR that fixes the leaks BEFORE turning up the spotlight."


Great Companies: What were the struggles and challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?

Marilize Jacobs: The biggest challenge was juggling my personal life while managing two businesses as a single mom. What helped me overcome this was developing my Resilience Quotient (AQ)—a concept that focuses on bouncing back from adversity. I made deliberate choices to invest in my own self-care, both mentally and emotionally, which strengthened my ability to handle life’s complexities.


Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does the next 5 years look like for VocalCord?

Marilize Jacobs: The next five years are full of vision and purpose. I’ve been selected to join the Lioness of Africa entrepreneur development and funding program. Here’s what I see on the horizon:

  1. 🚀 A Funded, High-Impact Agency: With access to funding, mentorship, and networks, I aim to scale VocalCord across Africa—helping startups and corporates build bulletproof reputations.

  2. 🌍 Thought Leadership in PR & Female Entrepreneurship: I want to empower women entrepreneurs, speak on trust-building in the digital age, and pass on these lessons to my children—instilling resilience (AQ), emotional intelligence (EQ), and social intelligence (SQ).

  3. 🙏 P(r)aying it Forward: My long-term goal is to mentor emerging entrepreneurs, grounded in strong spiritual and ethical principles.

    "From fixing reputations to building legacies—one African woman at a time."

And yes, I’ve already started working on my vision board. One dream image? A mock magazine cover of me that reads:

“She Built an Empire by Turning Trust Into Headlines.”The Lioness roar starts now!

Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice for someone just starting out, what would it be?

Marilize Jacobs: Starting a business is like launching your own circus. You’re the ringmaster, the acrobat, and the clown cleaning up after the elephant. So here are TWO pieces of advice for PR-ing your way to success:

  1. 🎯 Find Your “Star Act” – Your USP : Every circus has a signature act. What’s yours? Identify what makes you stand out and be able to express it in 5 words or less.

  2. 📣 Let the Crowd Be Your Megaphone: People believe other people, not just the ringmaster.

    • Partner with complementary brands to cross-promote.

    • Collect testimonials—even from friends in the beginning!

    • Google Reviews are golden.

Remember:

Even Barnum & Bailey started with one trapeze and a dream. Now go fill your tent.

For more about VocalCord Reputation Management, visit:🌐 www.vocalcordpr.com 

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