Insights

This is where I write.

Some posts are reflective.
Some are practical.

All of them come from time spent inside real companies, real decisions, and real responsibility.

You’ll see themes here that also show up in my book The Work That Holds You and in the conversations I host through CMOs Without Borders, but this space is intentionally about the writing itself.

Take your time.

The Work That Holds You

If you’re looking for a deeper, more complete expression of this thinking, my book The Work That Holds You explores these ideas at length. It’s written for founders who are still personally holding the business and starting to sense that the way they’re holding it cannot be the long-term answer.

Some of this work is supported by a living prompt toolkit that is updated as tools evolve. You can access the current version here.

CMOs Without Borders

If you prefer to hear these ideas explored through conversation, CMOs Without Borders is where I sit down with experienced marketing and growth leaders to talk about how this work actually shows up inside real companies.

How to tie marketing to revenue (and protect your budget)
Mandy MacPhee Mandy MacPhee

How to tie marketing to revenue (and protect your budget)

If you’ve ever struggled to explain how marketing drives revenue — especially when budgets tighten — you’re not alone. This insight offers a more grounded, transparent approach to aligning marketing with revenue so your efforts are valued, not questioned.

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The Biggest Mistake Fintech Founders Make After Series A
Mandy MacPhee Mandy MacPhee

The Biggest Mistake Fintech Founders Make After Series A

After raising Series A, many fintech founders unintentionally sabotage their next stage of growth by scaling sales teams faster than their market readiness. This blog reveals how to avoid the most expensive mistake founders make post-funding.

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Consider treating marketing as a profit machine rather than just an expense
Mandy MacPhee Mandy MacPhee

Consider treating marketing as a profit machine rather than just an expense

Do you think of marketing as an expense or a profit margin? Strategic marketing can lower customer acquisition costs, accelerate pipeline, and increase brand trust, leading to higher revenue and growth. By measuring impact, investing in customer-centric strategies, and hiring fractional CMOs, fintech companies can turn marketing into a powerful revenue driver.

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Timeless traits of great leadership
Mandy MacPhee Mandy MacPhee

Timeless traits of great leadership

Great leadership is about getting it right; it’s not about being right. By embodying key traits like curiosity, vision, and empathy, leaders can transform their skills and create a lasting impact. This article explores how timeless traits like these can inspire greatness and foster a culture of continuous learning and collaboration.

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Harnessing the power of AI as a CMO
Mandy MacPhee Mandy MacPhee

Harnessing the power of AI as a CMO

Explore how CMOs can leverage AI to create personalized customer experiences, streamline operations, and drive data-informed strategies. By blending innovation with human expertise, AI empowers businesses to scale effectively and thrive in the competitive fintech industry.

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Turning challenges into opportunities: The critical role of a strong marketing strategy during volatile times
Mandy MacPhee Mandy MacPhee

Turning challenges into opportunities: The critical role of a strong marketing strategy during volatile times

I’m not sure what will happen in the Canadian economy with the recent tariff and US-Canada trade war announcements. What I can opine on is the unique set of challenges this presents for fintech companies and what a strong marketing strategy can do. These challenges don’t have to spell trouble—they can be a chance to rethink, recalibrate, and grow. A strong marketing strategy isn’t just a shield during uncertain times; it’s a tool to unlock new possibilities.

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Fractional CMOs can be gamechangers for SMEs
Mandy MacPhee Mandy MacPhee

Fractional CMOs can be gamechangers for SMEs

In today's fast-paced business environment, small to mid-size fintech and financial services firms often face the challenge of needing high-level marketing expertise without the budget or resources to hire a full-time Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). This is where fractional CMO services comes into play.

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A marketer’s contribution to contribution margin
Mandy MacPhee Mandy MacPhee

A marketer’s contribution to contribution margin

Marketers, with their boundless creativity and strategic skills, are often overlooked as a key driver of contribution margin for successful businesses. CEOs recognize the significance of this KPI, but they don't always hold their marketing teams accountable for this crucial metric.

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Let’s build marketing that earns its keep

Thinking about growth without hiring a small army?

If your marketing has grown organically and now needs structure, that’s a good problem to have. It just means the next chapter needs a clearer plan.

Fill out the form and we’ll talk through next steps. No pitch deck required. Just practical direction and a plan that fits the stage you’re actually in.