Strategy First™ Operating System

Marketing Built for Founder-Led Businesses Who Want Clarity, Control & Consistent Growth

We install a marketing operating system that works. But it only works if it's the right fit. Here's exactly who we serve — and who we don't.

Learn How to Get the System
$2M–$20M
Annual Revenue
10–150
Employees
B2B & Services
Business Type
Founder-Led
Ownership

Industries & Business Types We Serve Best

We work with service and B2B organizations with complex buying decisions and longer sales cycles — where strategy and positioning really matter.

🏠

Home Services

Higher-ticket, multi-location, and specialized trades where referrals and reputation drive decisions.

⚖️

Professional Services

Legal, accounting, advisory, IT services, architecture and engineering firms.

🏭

Manufacturing

Especially specialized manufacturers where relationships and positioning determine deal flow.

🔧

Distributors & Industrial

Industrial services and distributors competing on more than price and logistics.

💼

Consulting & Specialist Firms

Advisory and consulting businesses with differentiated expertise and complex sales.

📋

B2B Service Organizations

Any service-led business with longer cycles where trust, clarity, and follow-through close deals.

The 5 Problems We Exist to Solve

These aren't symptoms. They're root causes — and they compound over time without a system to address them.

01

No Unifying Strategy

You've tried initiatives but don't have a single roadmap that aligns the team. You want Strategy First™ before building anything else.

02

Inconsistent Execution

Starts and stops across content, email, referrals, social, and SEO. Marketing depends on the founder's energy and attention.

03

No Operating Cadence

No weekly workflow, quarterly planning rhythm, or accountability structure. You want simple workflows your team can run repeatedly.

04

Unclear Positioning

"We do everything for everyone" messaging. You can't articulate who you serve, why you win, and how you're different.

05

The Leadership Gap

You don't need more freelancers. You need an accountable marketing leader to drive decisions and team alignment.

Is This for You?

We're intentionally selective. The system works best for businesses that are genuinely ready for it.

✦ This IS for you if…

  • You're a founder-led or leadership-driven business doing $2M–$20M in revenue
  • You're ready to treat marketing as a core operating system, not a series of projects
  • You're willing to start with Strategy First™: ICP clarity, journey design, messaging, and lead strategy
  • You're committed to consistent execution and a planning cadence — not random bursts
  • You have at least one in-house marketer, or you're ready to build that capacity
  • You want one accountable marketing leader — not a pile of disconnected vendors
  • You're open to collaboration: we lead, but your team participates

✦ This is NOT for you if…

  • You want quick wins without structure or a repeatable system
  • You only want done-for-you execution with no leadership component
  • You're primarily retail, e-commerce, or restaurant-focused
  • You're in extremely low-margin, high-volume consumer marketing where the edge is media buying scale
  • You can't or won't involve a real decision-maker in strategy and quarterly planning
  • You want a rebrand as the main solution — we start with strategy, not cosmetics
  • You prefer winging it over clarity and a plan

Common Reasons Businesses Come to Us

These are the moments that push founder-led businesses to finally install a system instead of stacking more tactics.

  • Revenue PlateauGrowth has stalled or the pipeline has become inconsistent and unpredictable.
  • Founder FatigueYou're tired of being the "marketing glue" — every decision still runs through you.
  • Competitor PressureA key competitor is out-positioning you with clearer messaging and a stronger presence.
  • Team ExpansionNew sales hires, new locations, or new divisions demand a unified marketing approach.
  • Spend Without Results"We've spent enough to know something should be working by now."
  • Leadership GapYou have a marketer but no senior marketing leadership making strategic decisions.

What Must Be True for You to Say Yes

Here's what our best-fit clients need to believe before they move forward — and what we're committed to delivering.

  1. Strategy before tactics is non-negotiable. You're done being sold the next shiny tactic. You want a clear roadmap first.
  2. You want a system you understand, run, and own — not a black box that disappears when the agency relationship ends.
  3. You want guidance that creates team alignment and a repeatable cadence: weekly, monthly, quarterly.
  4. You want measurable reporting that drives decisions — not dashboards that create noise without direction.
  5. You want a partner who can lead (fractional CMO-style) — not just someone who executes tasks.
"I had no idea how to make marketing work for my business. Duct Tape Marketing gave me clarity and control for the first time."
— Elizabeth Turner, Balanced Dental Studio

We Help Growth-Minded, Founder-Led Businesses Install a Strategy First™ Marketing Operating System

Clarify who you serve and how you win. Build systems and campaigns that support how buyers actually decide. Get ongoing leadership so marketing runs consistently and drives measurable growth.

Learn How to Get the System →

What a Best-Fit Client Looks Like

The businesses that see the greatest results share a common profile and a common journey.

Where They Start

Strong delivery and reputation, but inconsistent messaging and uneven lead flow. Has tried agencies and vendors without a unifying roadmap.

What Gets Installed

Strategy First™ alignment across the customer journey. A repeatable weekly cadence and quarterly planning rhythm the team can own and run.

What They See Over Time

Compounding results because the team runs the system consistently — not spike-and-crash campaigns that require constant founder intervention.

Ready to Find Out If We're the Right Fit?

Start with a free Strategy First™ Consultation. We'll be straight with you — if it's not a fit, we'll say so.

Schedule a Free Consultation