Growth Marketing Maven builds on family entrepreneurship, personal success to help growing companies looking to scale
A Family History of Entrepreneurship
For Amy Shaneyfelt, starting her own business was almost inevitable. As the daughter and granddaughter of entrepreneurs in a small town, her experience in business began as early as she can remember. “Reflecting on her upbringing in a small Midwestern town, Amy shares that her life was profoundly shaped by her involvement in her parents' businesses.Reflecting on her upbringing in a small Midwestern town, Amy shares that her life was profoundly shaped by her involvement in her parents' businesses.
Her family businesses were more than a source of income; they played integral roles in her community, shaping her views of entrepreneurship, and specifically marketing. “I've witnessed my parents and grandparents build businesses that became central to my hometown," Amy explains. "This firsthand experience has been foundational in my career, so it's no surprise that I find myself drawn to working with startups," Amy adds.
Over the last 16 years she honed her marketing skills leading a team and navigated the ever-changing tech landscape with an entrepreneurial mindset, staying one step ahead. Creatively addressing complex challenges, ensuring success. This journey fueled her commitment to pushing boundaries and unlocking new possibilities for businesses.
Her Turn
Successfully presiding over the marketing department of a company in growth mode gave Amy the motivation and confidence to take her experience to more businesses in the scaling stage. In January 2024, she opened Growth Marketing Maven. Focused on offering fractional CMO services, her goal is to give earlier-stage businesses access to a marketing expert without the full-time commitment.
“In today’s fast-paced business landscape, staying ahead means embracing innovation, especially in marketing,” Amy asserts, setting the tone for her approach. “With the digital revolution and evolving consumer behavior, old-school tactics might not cut it anymore.”
Fractional CMO = Personalized Impact
Fractional services are increasingly used as a tool to add capacity and impact to a growing company not yet ready to hire a C-suite position full-time. Amy’s years of experience promoting companies in startup mode, as well as her embrace of the fractional CMO model, make Growth Marketing Maven stand out from traditional agencies or freelancers by offering a personalized and high-impact touch.
“As your fractional CMO, I dive deep into understanding your company to create a customized marketing strategy. She adds, “Personalization is key, something often missing in traditional agencies where clients can feel like just another name on a list,” Amy remarks, addressing the need to capture the unique voice of her clients’ brands.
Fractional CMO services are also a cost-effective way to expand a team, she says. “It’s not just about personalization; it’s practical too. Opting for a fractional CMO means gaining the expertise of a seasoned professional without hefty full-time hire expenses,” Amy says. This approach is an ideal fit for small and midsize businesses seeking strategic marketing guidance for growth without breaking the bank. "My expertise lies in partnering with companies during their expansion phase of growth."
“I understand the dynamic nature of the business and the common challenges companies face. From ensuring data quality to navigating emerging technologies and putting operational processes into action.,” Amy says.
Beyond simply creating a strategy, Amy enjoys assisting a team in bringing the plan to life. “I don’t just deliver strategies; I actively help businesses operationalize them. By seamlessly integrating marketing with operational efficiency, I don’t just drive effective lead generation; I operationalize pathways to exponential growth,” Amy further explains.
Bringing It All Together
In the end, she was drawn to the multi-faceted, fractional CMO role because it allows her to wear all the hats she has come to know and love: telling powerful business stories, converting leads into sales, leading and supporting teams, and ultimately, supporting the successful growth of businesses who are ready for more.
To learn more about Amy’s approach to marketing, visit her website, www.growthmarketingmaven.com, and follow her entrepreneurial journey on social media through Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Photos provided by Amy Shaneyfelt.