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Startup Stories from the TreehouseAuthor: Todd Gagne
Welcome to Startup Stories from the Treehouse, where we bring you the most captivating tales of entrepreneurship. Each episode is a new adventure, featuring entrepreneurs who turned their dreams into reality. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just getting your feet wet, 'Startup Stories from the Treehouse' is your inspiration to build, innovate, and soar. Tune in, and let's start the adventure together! Language: en Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship, Management Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Marketing Foundations: Building for Scale Before You’re Ready
Episode 53
Thursday, 12 February, 2026
Many startups waste marketing budgets due to unclear messaging and a fuzzy Ideal Customer Profile (ICP), not poor execution. Kae Kronthaler-Williams, a veteran marketing executive, advises founders to nail messaging, niche their focus, and build foundational infrastructure before scaling ad spend. Her 90-day plan: clarify messaging through customer interviews, validate ICP with targeted outreach, and set up tracking systems for key metrics. Only after achieving 60-70% deal pattern repeatability should founders expand beyond their initial segment or invest heavily in paid channels. Diverse teams help avoid blind spots and create resonant messaging. To scale responsibly, start small, prioritize alignment across marketing, sales, and customer success, and measure pipeline contribution—not just leads. Audit hiring practices for bias to strengthen your team and marketing outcomes.Ready to build a repeatable pipeline and avoid wasted spend?Learn more from Kae at kaewilliams.com or connect on LinkedIn and Substack! Subscribe to the Wildfire Labs Substack for podcast summaries and more insight on building a tech startup.
