Hey there! I'm Mallory.
Brand and Marketing Strategist for Growing Small Businesses
I’ve not only started 7 different businesses during my career but I’ve also helped over 250 small business owners grow and scale their brands by utilizing a variety of marketing strategies.
You name it, I’ve likely done it, and now I’m here to help you get more strategic with your marketing.
Through my almost 15 years of marketing experience, I’ve developed the unique ability to quickly pinpoint exactly what's not working, how to fix it, and identify opportunities for us to leverage.
While I use a strategic process to identify this path forward (data analysis and research are my love languages!), I also know that each business is distinct so I tailor my approach to your strategy to fit your business' particular needs and circumstances.
The result is a strategic, but simplified, plan that will actually make a difference in your business.
I have worked with brands owned by giant corporations like Discovery, under fast-growing brands in their early stages like ICEMULE Coolers and everything in between and one thing I’ve noticed when it comes to small businesses is there is a massive disconnect in how we market ourselves and approach business.
We often focus a lot on the tactics and not as much on the strategy driving those tactics which, well, end up making those tactics a little (or a lot) less effective.
And I’m on a mission to change that by making CMO-level support more accessible for small businesses.
“Don’t hesitate for a second, you will not regret working with Mallory!”
— ALLISON, EVENT DESIGNER
When I say I have a unique perspective to bring to your brand, I mean it.
My experience of not only starting both product-based and service-based business myself but also working with large corporate brands, small businesses, and startups allows me to understand the unique circumstances of your particular business and merge my vast experience and skills to help you build your brand based on the stage you’re in.
Mallory Musante Shoes is where it all started…
My career officially kicked off with my very first business, a hand painted shoe brand, while still in college. (Seriously, I’d wake up in the middle of the night in my dorm room to email my manufacturer in China.) While I wasn’t able to financially support myself fully with this business, it did define my entire career trajectory. I learned more than about actually marketing a company than I did going to college for marketing and had to really learn to seize every opportunity in front of me. This led to working with several Bravo-lebrities, speaking opportunities at Bryant University and Babson College, a popup shop in Providence, features on live TV and in the Providence Journal, and so much more!
A little taste of corporate life
While building my shoe brand, I also worked for a boutique PR firm out of NYC as a part of a 2-person social media team. During this time, I worked with everyone from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. And while I was responsible for our clients’ social media, I also picked up a few PR tips and tricks from my coworkers along the way (that came in very handy for my businesses at the time and still to do day).
Then came my second business, Ash&Willow
While working for the PR agency, I switched gears with my entrepreneurial pursuits and closed my shoe brand while simultaneously launching an online accessories boutique. It was here that I really put to use those PR tips and tricks. During this time, I secured numerous features in national publications and even though this business didn’t allow me to go full-time either, it further solidified my reputation along this entrepreneurial journey.
The one that made me a full-time entrepreneur: Bold & Pop, a branding, web design and social media agency
Unfortunately, the PR firm I worked for was an incredibly toxic work environment and it became pretty clear that I was likely about to lose my job. During this time, my coworker and I said, “Hey if we can do this for this company… we can do this on our own, right?” And the business that allowed me to go full-time as an entrepreneur and not only sustain myself financially but purchase my first home as a single, self-employed woman was born!
We ran this business for 5 years helping hundreds of businesses with build their branding, websites, and run social media campaigns.
It wasn’t until the pandemic that I realized this wasn’t the right fit for me anymore and decided it was time for me to move in a new direction.
Bright Beta Co. aka my “side gig”
Year-after-year my friend and I would always commiserate on how we didn’t love our new planner for the year, so in true entrepreneurial fashion, we decided to team up and make our own!
Using Kickstarter to crowdfund the first year’s inventory, we were fully funded at $10k in just 2.5 days and ended the 30 day campaign at just under $33k raised.
While we treat this company more like a side-hustle because we both have other thriving businesses, this is a full blown company that requires launch planning every single year. It’s a really fun company and product we both truly love and believe in (seriously, we say if we ever decide to not do this anymore, we’re still going to have 2 planners printed each year for ourselves!)
2021 - Present Day
After stepping away from Bold & Pop and thinking I was no longer fulfilled by working in marketing, I started a couple other businesses/projects including:
Confidence coaching
Furniture flipping
After a much needed one month roadtrip where I was mostly off-grid, I came back to several requests from previous clients or referrals asking for my help in marketing…
And now here we are! A thriving business focused on helping other business owners navigate these tricky entrepreneurial waters more efficiently and effectively with their marketing.
Ready for some strategic support?
Marketing Strategy Intensive
Get a brand and marketing strategy built just for you.
The CMO Partnership
Strategic monthly support tailored to your business.
Other Marketing Services
For when one part of your strategy is a little off.
MY BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY
I truly believe that when good people make more money, the world is a better place.
Seriously, imagine how different the world would be if the Jeff Bezos and Elon Musks of the world actually cared. I'm here to help people that want to make a bigger impact, make a bigger freaking impact.
But I also believe authenticity in business is the key to success.
I've build businesses that were in alignment and ones that weren't and let me tell you, the ones where I was my most authentic self were 100x more successful. Not to mention it's much easier to sustain that success without burning out.
And I will always be incredibly transparent with you.
I don't believe in gatekeeping information. I will always happily share new strategies that actually work and keep it 100 with you.
