“Better” is three steps away.

Why are we doing this?  How will it happen?  What should we do first?

Answer those questions well and clearly, and you get the change you want. It isn’t easy. But it’s simple.

I’m in love with those three questions.

I left a job as a newspaper writer in 2003 and spent the next 15 years building my own business. Backthird Entertainment was the world’s first membership recording studio, but now focuses exclusively on private events. The challenge of managing dozens of part-time performers made me an expert in small-business operations; the challenge of booking 160 brand-new clients every year made me an expert in digital marketing.

From 2012 to 2017, I put that expertise to work as copywriter and lead strategist at marketing startup Bureau Gravity. My job was to walk the strategic journey with new clients – discovering each company’s vision, crafting its marketing strategy and creating assets to achieve their goals. I rewrote mission statements, managed editorial calendars, wrote and recorded video voiceover and played architect for lots and lots of websites.

I’ve worked with companies of all sizes, from $100k to $400M. I’ve written strategies for schools, landscapers, tech firms, consultants and innovative not-for-profits. I’ve asked a lot of people “why,” then helped them find their “how” and “what.”

I hope you’re next.