Chris Jackson

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Clearing the air: Turning a personal solution into a national brand with help from American Express

Dr. Chris Jackson never set out to become a wellness entrepreneur. The inspiration came one night as he listened to the harsh, chronic coughing of his father, an aging smoker battling the effects of lung disease. “He'd be hacking all night,” Jackson recalls. “Drinking tea, smoking in the morning, trying to get it out.” Then a pharmacy student and military veteran, Jackson decided to act. He formulated a mucus thinning supplement to help clear his father's lungs. That simple solution led to the creation of Betterbrand, a thriving supplement company which launched in mid 2019 with a mission to help others breathe easier. 

The idea was deeply personal but also rooted in experience: Jackson, who served two combat tours, struggles with respiratory issues himself. “I also have to take all of my products every single day,” he admits. Today, Betterbrand is a player in the health and wellness industry, with a viral social media presence and a product line that includes formulas for lung health, immune support, and allergy relief. And throughout Jackson’s entire business journey, American Express has been by his side.

Jackson describes American Express as “one of the most merchant friendly groups out there” and relies on a suite of its business tools daily. He uses American Express® Business Cards¹ for flexibility and an American Express® Business Checking² account for managing spend. He uses the American Express® Business Line of Credit³ for access to working capital and managing cash flow gaps. Each product has supported Betterbrand for different needs, and at different stages of its growth. “American Express has helped us every step of the way,” he says.

Building for growth with Business Platinum

For Betterbrand’s day-to-day business expenses, The Business Platinum Card® has been essential. “It offers us a lot of flexibility as far as spending limits,” Jackson says. Most of his company's revenue tied up in payout holds from online platforms; that flexibility is key to staying agile when demand hits.

The Business Platinum Card also enhances Jackson's productivity. Living in Hawaii requires frequent flights to the mainland, he explains, and the Business Card’s perks make a real difference in how he travels for work. “It actually decreases the number of travel days I require,” he adds. “I can knock out my workday and then fly out right after. It's been really nice.”

Overcoming pay gaps with a Business Line of Credit

As sales took off, Jackson ran into a familiar growing pain. Cash flow orders were booming, but payouts were delayed, sometimes by weeks. The American Express® Business Line of Credit helped fill the gap. “The opportunity cost of being out of stock was much greater than the fees we pay on it,” he explains. Having access to capital meant the company could restock faster and capitalize on momentum.

What ultimately sold him on the product wasn't just the terms; it was also the brand. “We love American Express,” Jackson says. “They’ve never done us wrong. When they offered a line of credit, it was a no-brainer.”

Earning Membership Rewards® points on marketing with Business Gold

In the crowded e-commerce space, ad dollars have to work hard. That's why Betterbrand uses the American Express® Business Gold Card on advertising spend, earning Membership Rewards® points⁴ on eligible purchases each calendar year. “We got it for the rewards it offers with our preferred ad system,” he says, pointing to social platforms as central to their marketing strategy. 

Fueling comfort with Delta SkyMiles® Reserve

Jackson's third card plays a dual role: managing operations and enabling travel. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card was originally used primarily for shipping costs. As Betterbrand grew, however, it transitioned into a general business expense Card. “It’s been a seamless transition,” he reports.

The travel benefits are equally impactful, offering miles⁵ on eligible purchases plus hotel and dining benefits that help back frequent travelers. “I think I hit Delta Diamond status based on our spend,” he says, referring to the highest tier within Delta’s SkyMiles Medallion® Membership program. “There were times I got picked up on the tarmac in a high-end sports car. People thought I was a celebrity. It sure made me feel special.”

Corporate Card management made simple

As Betterbrand’s team expanded, its founder turned to the American Express® Corporate Card program to help make certain operations more efficient. With digital products like American Express @ Work®, he has increased spending visibility, saved time for other tasks, and continued to earn points on his team’s eligible business purchases. And using the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card, he assigned cards to team members with spending limits and real-time visibility.

“We've added several employees onto that one,” he says. “We can break it down by cardholder and monitor spending in real time. Makes it very easy on our financial controller.” 

All in one place

When his bank shuttered in 2023, Jackson needed a new home for business banking. He opened an American Express® Business Checking account and was quickly impressed. “The interface is very clean,” he says.

A relationship that grows with the business

For Jackson, American Express has been more than a financial service provider. It’s been part of Betterbrand’s daily regimen. From demand spikes to marketing pushes, inventory runs to international scaling, every Card and service has played a role in helping keep the business thriving. Jackson reflects, “We just love American Express.”

Story Footnotes

¹ Application and approval required.

² Deposit Accounts offered by American Express National Bank. Member FDIC. American Express currently accepts applications from eligible U.S. businesses. Not all applicants will be approved for a Business Checking account.

³ American Express® Business Line of Credit offers access to a commercial line of credit ranging from $2,000 to $250,000; however, you may be eligible for a larger line of credit based on our evaluation of your business. Each draw on the line of credit will result in either a separate installment loan or a single repayment loan. All loans are subject to credit approval and are secured by business assets. Every loan requires a personal guarantee. For single repayment loans, we charge a total loan fee that ranges from 0.95%-1.80% of the amount you borrow for 1-month loans, 1.90%-3.75% for 2-month loans, and 2.85%-6.05% for 3- month loans.  Single repayment loans incur a loan fee at origination and the principal and total loan fee are due and payable at loan maturity.  There are no required monthly repayments for a single repayment loan. Repaying a single repayment loan early will not reduce the loan fee we charge you. For installment loans, we charge a total loan fee that ranges from 3-9% of the amount you borrow for 6-month loans, 6-18% for 12-month loans, 9-27% for 18-month loans, and 12-18% for 24-month loans. Installment loans incur a portion of the total loan fee for each month you have an outstanding balance. If you repay the total of the principal of an installment loan early, you will not be required to pay loan fees that have not posted for subsequent months. For each loan that you take, you will see the applicable loan fee before you take the loan. Once you take the loan, the loan fees that apply to that loan do not change.  We reserve the right to change the loan fees that we offer you for new loans at any time. American Express reserves the right to offer promotions to reduce or waive loan fees from time to time. Not all customers will be eligible for the lowest loan fee. Not all loan term lengths are available to all customers. Eligibility is based on creditworthiness and other factors. Not all industries are eligible for American Express® Business Line of Credit. Pricing and line of credit decisions are based on the overall financial profile of you and your business, including history with American Express and other financial institutions, credit history, and other factors. Lines of credit are subject to periodic review and may change or be suspended, accompanied with or without an account closure. Late fees may be assessed. Loans are issued by American Express National Bank. Single repayment loans may become available to eligible new and existing Business Line of Credit customers at different times.

⁴ Terms and Conditions for the Membership Rewards® program apply. Visit membershiprewards.com/terms for more information. Participating partners and available rewards are subject to change without notice.

The value of Membership Rewards points varies according to how you choose to use them. To learn more, go to www.membershiprewards.com/pointsinfo.

⁵ All SkyMiles program rules apply. To review the rules, please visit Membership Guide & Program Rules. Prices and rules are subject to change without notice. Delta, SkyMiles, and the Delta logo are registered service marks of Delta Air Lines, Inc. Delta is not responsible for goods or services offered by any companies participating in miles promotions. Partner offers subject to the terms and conditions of each individual offer. See individual offers for details. Partners subject to change. Offers void where prohibited by law. Other restrictions may apply.

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