I've spent almost 15 years in marketing and business development, most of it in the AEC industry, where I learned just how much good strategy and great collateral can change a business's trajectory. There's nothing quite like watching a company go from "we're the best-kept secret in town" to the name everyone recommends.

Peach Marketing Consulting (Peach) started out of necessity, not a five-year plan. A few months ago, I began contracting for a local executive recruiting business, helping them define a clearer ideal client and build a social media presence that positioned them as a real thought leader in his industry. Watching that work take shape reminded me why I love this job in the first place — and made it obvious I wanted to bring that same energy to more small businesses, not just one.

I believe investing in your community makes your community stronger. That's why Peach exists to help small, local businesses — especially women- and minority-owned ones — become the name people trust and recommend, not just another name in the search results.