Marketing Strategy That Protects Your Capacity
You were born human. You became a brand.
And then you found yourself having to choose between the two.
I help mission-driven founders figure out unconventional marketing that works.
For their business model, their mental model, their capacity, their values, their real, human life.
Past Clients
Strategy for When You Can't Do It All
Here's the thing about entrepreneurship: it has to sustain your real life.
Otherwise, you've just traded an outside employment system for a boss you really, really don't want to let down.
The stakes feel so high that it becomes much harder to put boundaries with yourself than it ever was with your employer.
And the clash between what you think you "should" be doing and what you can actually do becomes hard to bear.
I should know.
This was me about 2 years ago.
Like you, I became an entrepreneur to find more meaning in my work and support my reality -- for me that meant ADHD, depression, panic attacks.
And then I experienced... success (boo).
Writing TikTok Romania's Christmas campaign in 2020.
Running 6-figure client launches in 2022 and 2023.
The results and recognition hijacked my sense of self. I turned my business into a new hamster wheel, one studded with fancier treats.
Until I got a reality check.
My performative pursuit of "success" had eroded what it was meant to support - myself. I went into a burnout that took me over 1 year to recover from.
I Got Scared.
Then I Got Brave.
I decided to make peace with the uncertainty of building something (ouch) custom.
Something that wouldn't follow any textbook formula for success.
Something that I'm still building through painstaking trial and error.
Something that felt cozy and freeing... to me.
Now I help mission-driven founders do the same, using the behavioral economics I've been geeking out over for 17 years and the marketing experience that has gotten my clients repeatable results.
Certifications
The Process of Building a You-Centered Business
The truth is that most frameworks got built to support someone else's circumstances -- their resources, their constraints, their values, their needs.
And they will work for you... if you're their carbon copy.
But you're not.
Chances are... you're on this page because you don't want to copy-paste a strategy that you have to squeeze yourself into.
You want to layer a strategy around you as a person -- using your own life and well-being as a starting point.
If so, read onward, my valiant entrepreneur-in-arms...
How I Can Support You
I use strategic testing to dial in on what works for your reality, your audience, your special sauce, and your mission.
I build my hypotheses on behavioral and cognitive science findings, past client experience and market observations. I attune them to your reality.
We test these hypotheses.
We optimize what's working.
We adjust what's not.
We build marketing that doesn't require you to transcend your humanity.
Because high-skill doesn't mean high-capacity.
And let's face it -- you and I -- we know that already.
Business with a Healing Brain Substack
I write about building business systems around your actual life.
Deconditioning from achievement-as-self-worth.
Choosing to let go of performance in favor of passion, peace & purpose.
Working notes, not polished advice.
Strategy Deep-Dive
$650 - $850
A 36-hour async analysis where we:
Review your current approach, analytics, audience data
Identify what's actually working (and why)
Spot any necessity - reality gaps
Deliver strategic recommendations based your specific resources, needs, constraints
Show you my process so you can decide if you want to keep working together
This is usually the first step for all my consulting clients.
You get actionable strategy whether we continue or not.
Strategic Retainer
$2,000 - $2,500/month
(or $150/hour + revenue share)
Monthly strategy guidance (calls+async) where we:
Test marketing approaches systematically
Analyze what's resonating (and what's not)
Optimize based on real data from your audience
Iterate until we find what works for your reality
Connect you with execution support when needed
This is an ongoing strategic partnership.
We experiment, test, optimize.
No cookie-cutter playbooks.
Capacity Crisis Cohort
with Stephanie (mindset coach)
with Nicole (systems expert)
If you're rebuilding your business after a major capacity shift ...
ND diagnosis
health changes
caregiving
burnout
... we offer a 6-12 month cohort that combines marketing strategy with mindset support and systems building.
This is for people who need more than just marketing guidance. Inside you will find multi-layered support through the rebuilding process.
— look mom, I'm famous —
What Past Clients Say
"Cathy will come back to me with the most amazing strategy and outside-the-box thinking. She helped me see what my audience is telling me, as opposed to me guessing. She validated which of my big ideas are not only needed... but WANTED."
Patrice Poltzer
Storytelling Coach & former Today Show Producer
"Her process is impeccable. Thorough initial analysis, data-based decisions along the way, perfect organization, timing and project management. All that combined expectedly leads to an amazing result."
Maksim Matrenitckii
CEO of Cyberian Mine GmbH
"I was in the middle of a massive rehaul of my business. I was so close to it and couldn't quite fit all the pieces. I'd invested thousands in coaches and containers and it fell short because they couldn't understand my vision. Cathy understood my vision so deeply in such a unique and powerful way."
Vivian McKenzie
Embodied Visibility Coach
"Cathy looked at website data, email data and figured out ways to improve. I finally feel like I can effectively communicate and connect with my customers! Her mix of creativity and analytics is a winning combination."
Laura Beck
Founder of LottoLove
"Knowledgeable, kind, always listening. A wordsmith extraordinaire with a strategic mind for designing funnels and writing copy and a stunning work ethic."
Ioana Stepanov
Brand Strategist & Agency Founder
"My website copy lacked the necessary vibrancy to properly showcase the romantic and magical nature of beach weddings. Cathy has enhanced the overall user experience and led to tangible business growth. "
Ramona Macovei
Destination Wedding Designer & Planner
There IS Marketing that Protects Your Capacity
You just have to find it.
And I won't lie -- it won't be straightforward.
It's not a hole-in-one.
It's a process.
A process of building the business you need to protect your capacity and nourish your humanity.
Let's figure out what that looks like for you.
Together on three.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I need execution help, beyond strategy?
I can connect you with trusted partners for execution (copywriters, designers, tech implementers) or I can guide you in executing yourself. The retainer includes helping you coordinate execution support.
Can I do async-only or do we need calls?
I love async and can do mostly async if that works better for your brain. Most retainer clients do 1-2 calls per month + ongoing async support. We figure out what rhythm works for you.
What does "behavioral science" actually mean... like in practice?
I use principles from behavioral economics and cognitive psychology to understand why people make decisions and how to remove friction between their values and actions. Less pressure tactics, more understanding what actually drives behavior.
How long does it take to see results?
Depends on what we're testing and your implementation capacity. Some things show up in weeks (referral systems, conversion optimization). Others take months (audience building, brand positioning). We optimize for sustainable growth, not quick wins that burn you out.
Featured Projects
Our portfolio showcases the diverse projects we’ve worked on, each crafted with precision and passion. We believe in creating tailored solutions that align with our clients' visions and goals. Explore the projects below to see how we turn concepts into impactful results.
Website Redesign
We revamped a major retail brand’s website to enhance user experience and drive conversions. The redesign focused on intuitive navigation and a seamless shopping experience, boosting customer engagement and sales.
The new design integrated modern aesthetics with functional e-commerce tools, resulting in a user-friendly interface and increased customer retention.
— Hannah James
Product Lead
Social Media Strategy
Our strategy helped a start-up build a robust social media presence, increase engagement, and reach their target audience effectively. We created a content plan that resonated with their brand values and audience.
Through targeted campaigns and consistent branding, we saw measurable growth in followers, interactions, and conversions, leading to enhanced brand awareness.
— Adam Smith
Marketing Director
SEO Optimization
We boosted a corporate client’s online visibility by implementing a comprehensive SEO strategy. By focusing on keyword optimization and technical SEO, we helped increase organic traffic and search engine rankings.
The SEO improvements led to a significant increase in site visits, generating higher-quality leads and positioning the client as a leader in their industry.
— Mark Nelson
Marketing Director