Laurie is committed to helping businesses and coaches with their marketing strategy, marketing processes, and project management so they can grow their businesses effectively and efficiently.
How it all Began….……
Growing up in Orange County, California, Laurie was an industrious teenager and marketer. She demonstrated that by identifing creative ways to make money from the age of 12, like making stuffed animals and rock creations and selling them in the neighborhood. She and her friends even sold tickets to and put on plays and musicals in a neighbor’s garage. To top that off, she wrote, edited and sold subscriptions to a neighborhood newspaper.
The Drive to Learn and Experience……
During college, she worked as a camp counselor and was then was hired to help develop and run a high-end, children’s day camp that accommodated 300 kids per day. In addition, she also worked nights as a server at a local restaurant.
All of this played into her attraction to marketing, and her first marketing role in a multi-unit restaurant company. With a continuing career in the restaurant industry, she has marketed (and eaten!) her way through a variety of brands, developing marketing strategies and planning, marketing processes, and the execution of those plans.
Having led marketing teams for iconic brands such as O’Charley’s, Perkin’s, Marie Callender’s, Kona Grill, and more, she was involved in all elements of the marketing mix and the guest experience.
Bringing it All Together……
And of this all led to her desire to become a small business marketing consultant to share her expertise with others and help them grow their business.
Laurie works out of her home office in the Valley of the Sun, also known as Phoenix, Arizona. With the great weather and landscape, she and her husband Mark take advantage of the opportunity to experience the great outdoor options available on a year-round basis – even in the heat of summer (they just have to get out before the sun hits its stride!). So, they try to fit in a run, hike, or bike ride on the nearby trails and get to explore the great desert landscape.
Her loyal companions and advisors are two miniature Dachshunds, Roxie and Gizmo, who hang out with her while she works, and provide cuddles and comic relief when needed!
How does this Serve You?
Laurie loves being a small business marketing consultant because it gives her the ability to help businesses and coaches develop an emotional connection to their audiences through a solid marketing foundation that facilitates engagement and drives loyalty to their brands.
What sets Laurie apart from other Virtual Experts is her innate ability to drive a process to unearth an actionable strategy, her creativity, her team management, her knowledge of marketing processes, and her understanding of marketing principles and how to apply them to grow your business.
More Life Experience….
Three fun facts about Laurie:
- She has run 14 full marathons, 26.2 miles each, and many half marathons all over the country.
- Her restaurant marketing experience has covered all the major food groups: hamburgers, burritos, pizza, pasta, sushi, and pie!
- She has snorkeled at the Great Barrier Reef in Austraila.
Laurie is the advantage you need for your next marketing project!
It is a pleasure to know and work with Laurie. Her knowledge of the marketing industry is unsurpassed. Her skills, experience and insights take you from the beginning of an idea to the thriving, executed marketing plan. Laurie is personable as well as professional. Her strategic leadership will guide you and your business with a focus on the ultimate customer experience. She puts her heart and passion into every detail of every project she manages. Laurie is the advantage you need for your next marketing project.”
Eva Harster
Laurie has the technical and persuasive skills to make a substantial contribution!
“I had the pleasure of working with Laurie at Perkins and Marie Callendar’s, Inc. Laurie’s strategic leadership and the belief that consumer insights are the foundation of sound marketing led a significant improvement in business results and greater pride in the brand within the Perkins organization. Laurie built a new product development process that produced a continuous flow of consumer-tested products that became the focus of limited-time promotions, which were credited for much of the success. This was accomplished in a mostly franchised system. Laurie has the technical and persuasive skills to make a substantial contribution to any retail/hospitality organization.”
Glenn Drasher
Extremely well-informed and professional!
“I’ve known Laurie for nearly a decade. She had me consult with her during job transition. I found her to be extremely well-informed and professional. She has continued to stand out to me as an extraordinary marketing executive, as well as a genuinely fine person. I can recommend her enthusiastically and without reservation. I am confident that her future clients will find her to be a wonderful asset and a great investment.”
George Fleming
Laurie is just the marketing professional you want on your side!
“Laurie is just the marketing professional you want on your side. Everything from big picture marketing strategy to creative and meaningful execution, Laurie applies her keen expertise to drive engagement and success. She is a true team player with a solid and reliable work ethic. I highly recommend Laurie for your next marketing project!”
Neely Burkhardt