The Reluctant Personal Brand

As a former Midwesterner, putting my name on my business felt… uncomfortable. It seemed self-centered. For weeks, I brainstormed clever names—something that captured the essence of this business that had been stirring inside me for decades. But nothing felt right. More importantly, nothing passed the originality test (you know, trademarks, domains, and all the names already taken).

Eventually, I came full circle: I am the brand. And honestly? That realization was both nerve-wracking and freeing.

I’ve moved a lot in my career—across states, industries, and company sizes. But the one constant was me. I’ve helped countless brands define their strategy and grow. Stepping out of the shadows and fully owning that felt like the natural next step.

This site has been home to my marketing musings for years—even back when my former married name was tacked onto the URL. (Removing it? A brutal SEO hit.) But it reinforced an important lesson: brand consistency matters.

So here we are. SusanJensen.com isn’t just my name—it’s a business. One built to help companies grow with right-sized marketing leadership.

What Makes This Different?

There’s no shortage of marketing resources out there. Some focus on execution—ads, design, websites. Others offer broad, full-service marketing. I take a different approach: a trusted, right-sized extension of your leadership team.

• Strategy That Works in the Real World – Fancy plans are nice, but they have to be doable. I make sure marketing efforts align with business goals and resources.
• Hands-On Help, Not Just Advice – Some consultants drop off a strategy deck and call it a day. I stick around to help make things happen.
• Clear, Straightforward Guidance – No jargon, no vague deliverables, just practical marketing that makes sense.
• Affiliate & Influencer Marketing Expertise – Strategic partnerships (affiliates, UGC, influencers) can be game-changers, but not everyone knows how to leverage them effectively.
• Better Results, Not Just More Tactics – Throwing more at the wall isn’t the answer. I focus on what actually moves the needle.

Why This Makes Sense

You don’t always need a full-time CMO—but you do need strategic marketing leadership. A Fractional CMO gives you executive-level expertise without the full-time commitment. Whether your business is scaling, repositioning, or simply needs more direction, I help build a smarter, more effective marketing strategy—without the overhead of a full-time hire.

Three Ways to Work With Me

• Fractional CMO Leadership – Not ready for a full-time CMO? I step in as an extension of your team, providing strategy, oversight, and clarity—without the long-term commitment.
• Marketing Audit & Roadmap – Not sure what’s working? I’ll assess your marketing efforts, identify gaps, and create a focused, data-driven action plan so you can invest wisely.
• Project-Based Strategy & Execution – Have a specific challenge? From refining your brand messaging to optimizing content and digital strategy, I take on high-impact projects that move the needle.

Marketing isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what works. If your efforts feel scattered, let’s focus on what truly drives growth.

Hi, my name is “Susan Jensen.” Thanks for joining me on this new adventure.

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