[2] After time in Toowoomba where he had a Holden car sub-dealership, Jackson briefly managed his father-in-law's jewellery business in Murwillumbah.
[2] After considering opening his own jewellery business in Brisbane, Jackson decided against it and instead went to Townsville in 1957 to become general manager of Vaculug North Queensland, which specialised in maintaining the tyres of large earth moving equipment.
[2] After qualifying as a gemologist, Jackson finally established his own local jewellery shop called Loloma in Townsville's Flinders Street in 1959 which ultimately grew to a franchise of seven stores throughout North Queensland before he became the foundation chairman and managing director of buying group Showcase Jewellers.
[2] He has also served as president of Townsville Enterprise Ltd as well as director and deputy chairman of the Queensland Small Business Development Corporation.
[7] Jackson is credited with helping the charity secure land for a local drug and alcohol treatment centre.