Musings, Things We've Learned, & Other Bits Of Knowledge We've Gleaned Along The Way.
AKA...Our Blog Section.

You've been there before. The glossy presentation, the big promises, the "revolutionary" strategy that's going to transform your business. Three months and $15,000 later, you're staring at a pile of pretty reports and wondering where all your new customers are. Sound familiar? Here's a sobering statistic: research shows that up to 60% of marketing budgets for small and mid-sized businesses are wasted due to poor targeting, tracking, or misalignment. Even more alarming, $37 bi

As we move into 2026, marketing is becoming less about chasing shiny new tactics and more about making intentional, measurable decisions. For small and mid-sized businesses, especially those operating in competitive local markets like Richmond, the coming year will reward clarity, discipline, and adaptability. Here’s what we see shaping the future of marketing in 2026 , and how small businesses can prepare without overextending budgets or teams. 1. AI Becomes Infrastructure,

The holiday season has quickly arrived, and for Richmond small businesses, it represents both a golden opportunity and a potential budget trap.

Marketing emergencies happen outside business hours. Website crashes, social media crises, urgent competitive responses, and sudden opportunities that demand immediate action. When your agency tells you to "submit a ticket" or "wait until our Monday team meeting," you're not just losing time, you're losing revenue, reputation, and market position. It's 7 PM on Friday. Your Marketing Just Broke. Your website is down during your biggest sale of the year. A customer's negative r

Small businesses across Richmond and beyond are firing their traditional marketing agencies after years of overpromises and underdelivery. They're replacing them with fractional marketing teams that provide strategic leadership, transparent pricing, and actual results—all without the bloated agency fees. If you've been considering the same move, you're not alone. The frustration is real, the pattern is predictable, and frankly, it's about time someone called it out. The Patte

Let me tell you about the conversation that happens in almost every initial meeting with a new client: "Wait... you refund ALL the commissions back to us?" "Yes." "But... why? Don't other agencies keep those?" "Exactly." And that's when their face changes. Because they suddenly realize how much money they've been leaving on the table. The Dirty Little Secret of the Marketing Agency World Here's what most agencies won't tell you: When they place your ads or have your ads creat

You've been there before. The glossy presentation, the big promises, the "revolutionary" strategy that's going to transform your business. Three months and $15,000 later, you're staring at a pile of pretty reports and wondering where all your new customers are. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. After nine years in the marketing industry and countless conversations with frustrated business owners, we've seen the same patterns repeat themselves over and over. The good

Wabash & Lake Consulting - Proud long-term Marketing partners with Chesterfield Food Bank Outreach Center,

One of the most critical tools in any business's growth strategy is the marketing funnel. Let's look at what it takes to build one.

As a Fractional Marketing Director, we're always behind the scenes. I get asked all the time where I think small businesses struggle the...

Logos mean nothing without a brand promise. 52. As I sit here typing this out I count 52 company logos staring me in the face. My laptop,...