Businesses I Don’t Work With (And Why That Matters)

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned since becoming a Fractional CMO and starting Joyworks Marketing is this: successful marketing is a partnership.

I can bring the strategy, the systems, the expertise… but if we’re not aligned on how growth really happens, neither one of us will be happy.

That’s why I believe it’s just as important to be clear about who I don’t work with — not because I want to be exclusive, but because I want to be effective. There are businesses I can help create powerful, long-term results. And there are others who would be better served by a different type of marketing provider.

So here are a few situations where Joyworks may not be the ideal fit.

1. Quick-Fix Seekers

If you’re hoping for an overnight miracle or a viral TikTok that solves all your business challenges… I’m probably not your person.

Yes — marketing should work. But shortcuts create short-term wins, not sustainable growth.

At Joyworks, I help businesses build:

• messaging that resonates

• systems that repeat

• visibility that compounds

• trust that converts

That takes clarity. It takes consistency. And it takes a little time. If you’re in love with the idea of a strategy-first foundation, we’ll get along great.

2. People Who Want Me to “Just Run Some Ads”

Ads are not a marketing strategy. They’re a tactic.

If your sales process is messy…If your website doesn’t convert…If your message isn’t clear…Ads will simply help you fail faster and more expensively.

Could I run your ads? Sure. Would that help your business without the right strategy in place? Probably not.

I’m here to build an end-to-end growth engine, not a list of disjointed marketing tasks. When the right pieces work together, everything becomes more efficient — ads included.

3. Businesses That Aren’t Ready to Invest in Their Own Growth

Marketing is not a line item you tolerate — it’s an investment you leverage.

I’ve seen businesses transform once they finally commit to:

• owning their market position

• showing up consistently online

• actively nurturing leads

• capturing demand in new service areas

But if marketing always feels like a cost to minimize, instead of a growth lever to pull, we’re going to clash. You’ll feel like I’m pushing too hard, and I’ll feel like we’re moving too slowly.

And neither of us will love that.

4. Folks Who Don’t Believe in the Power of Small Business

Joyworks was built for small-business owners. I believe your biggest advantage is:

• your reputation

• your relationships

• your boots-on-the-ground understanding of customers

If you want the flash of a giant agency or the corporate sheen that hides who you really are, we’re not the right match.

I don’t want to erase your personality. I want to amplify what already makes you great.

5. Decision-Makers Who Don’t Want to Be Involved

You don’t have to write copy or design anything — that’s my job. But you do need to:

• believe in the strategy

• approve and prioritize direction

• show up for key decisions

• communicate what’s happening inside the business

The best work happens when we act like a team.

• When the owner cares.

• When leaders are committed.

• When input flows both ways.

If you're too busy or checked out to collaborate, we’ll stall out.

This Isn’t About Saying No.

It’s About Saying Yes to the Right Work.

I want every client to see a return — not just on their marketing, but on their confidence, their clarity, and their future.

• When the fit is right:

• Strategy clicks

• Growth accelerates

• Marketing becomes a joy — not a chore

Those are the partnerships I’m here to build.

• So if you believe in your business…

• If you're ready to grow thoughtfully…

• If you want a marketing partner who cares deeply about your success…

Then I would love to talk with you.

Let’s see if we’re the right fit for each other. Call 360-822-7118 or email me hello@joyworksmarketing.com.