Nantahala Strategies

For legacy brands building strong communities and lasting impact, NANTAHALA STRATEGIES delivers bold, data-driven strategy rooted in values, guided by instinct, and built to grow.

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How I’ve helped my clients grow:

⚡ 220% growth in new clients for a client year-over-year

⚡ 23% growth in gross revenue year-over-year

⚡12% growth in job applications to client

⚡ 10% audience growth across key social channels year-over-year

⚡ 173% growth in total number of users making purchases on sales platform year-over-year

⚡10x growth in press reach, with national recognition from all major press outlets year-over-year

⚡ Led first-time subscription product strategy for client generating $10k in the first 48 hours, 6 figures year-over-year

💥 11% growth in annual revenue year-over-year

💥 17% gross revenue growth in Q4 year-over-year

💥 194% growth in total blog visits year-over-year

💥 32% growth in email list subscribers year-over-year

💥 Largest Q4 revenue growth in company’s history

💥 11% growth in total site visits in the millions year-over-year

💥 User mapping identified new user bases for client to create comprehensive marketing strategy for underserved site users

💥 Led SEO strategy to restructure backend of 2+ million pages of client website, leading to 43% increase in organic site traffic per month

My work’s been featured in:

You’re watching competitors surge ahead — not because their product is stronger, but because their strategy is sharper. They’re rolling out smart case studies, landing high-visibility partnerships, hiring top talent, and making headlines that echo their value. Their marketing is tightly aligned to their growth strategy — and it’s working.
Their brand isn’t just showing up — it’s shaping perception and driving demand.
Meanwhile, you’re left asking: Why isn’t our story breaking through?Why aren’t we seeing the traction we deserve? What’s the missing piece in how we’re positioning and scaling this brand?
You know your offering is solid. You know the impact you’re capable of. But you haven’t yet activated the strategy that ties it all together — the one that makes growth inevitable, not incidental.
You’ve talked to your sister’s college roommate’s boyfriend who once had a marketing internship at Facebook. And now he’s offering you a “growth strategy” — complete with a recycled playbook and a promise of results. But something in your gut tells you: this isn’t it.
He calls himself a marketing strategist, but what you’re really wondering is: Will I get a 40-page deck and zero follow-through? Will I be left to figure out what to do with a glossy, jargon-filled PDF that no one on my team knows how to implement — or worse, that ends up in a drawer collecting dust?
You’ve seen this before. The kind of strategist who parachutes in, delivers a cookie-cutter plan, and vanishes. No understanding of your industry’s rhythms, no attention to stakeholder dynamics, no roadmap for how to bring the work to life.
And if you asked him which relationships need managing, where the bottlenecks are, or how to roll out the work — he wouldn’t have an answer.
What’s worse, his idea of strategy is just following the “rules”: the 2/3rds rule, the rule of 7, the 3-2-1 rule. No adaptive thinking. No critical insight. Just templates and tactics — without vision or context.
You deserve better than that.
Your growth ceiling isn’t a product issue — it’s a strategy gap. And the right brand and marketing architecture can change everything.
You’re already building something valuable. You have a team that believes in the mission, clients who see the difference you make, and a vision that deserves traction. What you need now is a strategic roadmap — one that aligns your brand story with your business goals, sharpens your positioning, and builds the systems to scale.
That’s where I come in.
I help brands clarify what they stand for, position themselves to win, and design marketing systems that don’t just speak — they perform. You don’t need another trend-chasing campaign. You need a strategic edge — and a framework to grow into it.

How I work with you:

I partner with leaders and teams at critical inflection points — moments when clarity, alignment, and strategic storytelling can shape the future of your brand.

Through a mix of sharp analysis and bold visioning, I’ll help you:

Make sense of your data — from audience analytics to brand perception
Clarify what stories resonate, and where they fall short
Uncover blind spots and high-leverage opportunities across your marketing ecosystem
Empower your team to engage your audience with more precision, humanity, and consistency

This work isn’t just about messaging — it’s about momentum. You’ll leave with:

A future-facing strategic vision anchored in both insight and ambition
Clearly defined priorities and decision-making frameworks your whole team can align around
Growth strategies that drive engagement, retention, and recognition
A re-energized team that sees their work in context — and feels ownership in moving the mission forward

My goal is to build a foundation so strong, you won’t need me. I show up as a strategic partner — part firefighter, part architect — to help you unlock your next chapter, and then make it last.

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Here’s what a few of my clients have to say about my work:

👋 “Sara is a highly capable and trusted strategist whose expertise has strengthened our work across CX, .com, and beyond. She has been instrumental in optimizing our creative strategy, driving AI adoption, and fostering cross-functional collaboration. As one of the primary contacts for AI testing, she worked tirelessly to implement key learnings across Laundry and TV, reinforcing our data-driven approach. Her ability to self-manage, problem-solve, and communicate effectively has made her an invaluable team member. Whether leading intensive workshops for new business initiatives like HVAC or creating interdisciplinary sprints that elevate collaboration, Sara consistently delivers innovative solutions. A champion of strategic optimization, she pushes boundaries to make our creative work stronger, even when external factors limit execution. Her leadership, adaptability, and commitment to impactful storytelling make her an asset to any team.”

👋 “This is exactly what we’re looking for. You’ve delivered a breath of fresh air, and this gives us so much to work with.”

👋 “Your gentle leadership keeps us moving along smoothly. I appreciate how you acknowledge what each person brings. Truly, I have not met many people who can lead a group gracefully – I learn from you each time we meet. Thank you for being willing to guide us.”

👋 “I’m in awe of your welcoming, gentle, upbeat, and yet so focused facilitation style. I found myself reflecting – where EVER did she learn that? How great if that could be taught.”

👋 “You have such a gift and hold space for others so intentionally. Thank you for sharing your time and energy with us!”

👋 “Thanks for the amazing facilitation, Sara and for the great creative energy.”

👋 “You’re the best. Literally the most affirmation positive person I’ve ever worked with.”

👋 “Thank you for the inspiration and constant encouragement. I appreciate you pouring so much of yourself into me and others. Had I not spent so much time working with and learning from you, I doubt I would’ve ever seen my value and wouldn’t have pushed back on this offer.”

👋 “Sara has consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to analyze complex business challenges, develop innovative solutions, and drive meaningful results. Throughout our time working together, I have been impressed by Sara's strategic mindset, analytical rigor, and collaborative approach. Whether leading high-stakes initiatives, synthesizing data into actionable insights, or aligning cross-functional teams toward a shared vision, Sara operates precisely and purposefully. Her ability to balance long-term strategic planning with immediate business needs has driven our many strategy pitches. Beyond her strategy expertise, she is a natural leader who fosters a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Her abilities make her an invaluable asset to any organization.”

👋 “It’s been such a pleasure working with Sara! She helped us get through a challenging time when we were down a key role on our team. She also gave us fresh perspectives to consider exciting, new language to talk about our products and services. I really appreciated Sara’s positive nature and can-do attitude. It was always a pleasure talking through assignments with her, and she hit 100% of deadlines with grace and precision.”

👋 “Sara worked with me to develop concepts for two very different businesses: an existing law practice and a startup consulting business. She also developed an incredibly useful framework that we have used to think about our social media strategy and new client marketing. We’ve used several companies over the years for the same kind of work. Sara provides service that is far better, in professionalism, project management, timeliness, work quality (and reassurance!) than all the companies we’ve worked with in the past. We’re a demanding client with limited time and we thought the experience working with Sara was really outstanding.”

👋 “Sara supported our organization’s digital marketing strategy and provided research and guidance on SEO, SEM, and social media. She's collaborative, professional, and brings good ideas to the table. Her skillset — both analytical and creative — make her an asset to any organization looking to expand their marketing reach.”

👋 “Sara helped build my e-business platform, including integrating my newsletter with event invitations & registrations and follow up. She is easy to work with, extremely professional and responsive when issues arise.”

View my case studies

Services

My minimum project engagement is $10,000.
I partner with organizations ready to invest in brand clarity, strategic storytelling, and meaningful growth. I do not take on one-off design requests, manage social or email campaigns, or build and maintain websites — but I will help you clarify your brand’s foundation, voice, and direction so your team or partners can execute with confidence.

Insights & Research Foundations

MARKETING AUDITS

A strategy is only as strong as the foundation it stands on. My audits surface what’s working, what’s missing, and where the greatest opportunities lie.

Audit Components:

Social media and traditional media presence
Audience behavior and analytics
Channel relevance (on- and offline)
Core offerings and value alignment
Messaging and brand voice consistency
Content effectiveness (across key assets)
Internal marketing team capabilities

BRAND ARCHITECTURE & MARKETING ROADMAPS

Your brand isn’t just a logo — it’s a living system of meaning. In a noisy, hyper-visual world, what sets you apart is not only how you look, but how clearly you communicate your value.

I develop brand architecture and marketing strategies that build awareness, deepen loyalty, and drive aligned growth. Together, we’ll map out the structure of your brand ecosystem — from how your sub-brands ladder up to your core identity, to how you can better leverage existing brand equity across the portfolio.

Every engagement includes a prioritized roadmap of actionable next steps rooted in a comprehensive audit. My process is collaborative and education-forward — because the best strategy is one your team understands, believes in, and can bring to life.

STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS

To build a brand that truly resonates, you need to listen well. I conduct interviews with:

Company leadership
Key users or user groups
Influential voices in your ecosystem

These conversations surface insight into pain points, emotional drivers, blind spots, and opportunities — all of which shape a more resonant and resilient strategy.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS

What does your brand look like in the wild?

We’ll examine your competitors, not to copy them — but to understand the landscape, spot the gaps, and clarify what makes you different. This process reveals:

Emerging trends and audience expectations
Industry strengths and pitfalls
Perception gaps and white space
Strategic opportunities to position yourself more effectively

CONSUMER INSIGHTS (USER AND DONOR MAPPING):

Understanding your audience is non-negotiable. I translate interviews, market data, and behavioral research into powerful insights that fuel strategy. Deliverables include:

Detailed user personas and empathy maps
Attribution modeling and conversion triggers
“Pain moments” and barrier mapping
Five-phrase customer journey framework:
- Problem Unaware: How do we earn their attention?
- Problem Aware: How do we build emotional resonance?
- Solution Unaware: How do we spark curiosity?
- Solution Aware: How do we show up as the answer?
- Purchase / Conversion: How do we invite the leap?

BRAND, LANGUAGE, & COMMUNICATION STRATEGY

Messaging Frameworks

Messaging isn’t just what you say — it’s how your audience feels when they hear it.

I develop structured messaging frameworks that shape how your brand shows up in the world, across every touchpoint.

You’ll walk away with a hierarchy of key messages:

Your brand promise
Audience-specific value props
Tone and voice guidelines
Sample messaging that your whole team can reference and apply

It’s the foundation for brand-aligned communication, internal clarity, and external impact.

Voice & Tone Development

Your voice is your brand’s personality — and it’s one of your most valuable strategic assets.

I help you define a voice that is not only distinctive, but adaptable across contexts and channels.

Whether you need to sound bold, warm, authoritative, playful, or all of the above — we’ll articulate what makes your voice yours, and how to express it consistently without sounding robotic or scripted.

Deliverables may include:

Voice principles and tonal range (e.g. when to be direct vs. nuanced)
“This, not that” style comparisons to guide your team
Channel-specific voice applications (social, web, internal, etc.)
Guidance for scaling voice across teams, writers, or campaigns

This is about more than brand expression — it’s about brand trust. When your voice is clear, confident, and coherent, your audience pays attention.

Positioning Strategy

In a saturated market, clarity is power.

I work with you to define your unique position — not just what you do, but why it matters and why it’s different.

Together, we identify your core differentiators, analyze your competitors, and zero in on the white space your brand is uniquely suited to claim. The result? A compelling, defendable market position that gives your brand a strategic edge — and your team a clear narrative to rally behind.

Copywriting

Clear. Compelling. On-brand.

I write the words that bring your strategy to life — whether that’s a powerful homepage, a bold tagline, or a voice guide your whole team can use.

My approach to copywriting is grounded in empathy and designed for action. Every word is tailored to your audience, goals, and tone of voice — with enough flexibility to grow with you.

From narrative copy to short-form hooks, I help you translate strategy into story — and story into results.

Brand Strategy

Your brand isn’t what you say — it’s what people believe about you.

I help you shape that belief.

Through collaborative discovery, competitor analysis, and stakeholder alignment, I develop brand strategies that clarify who you are, what you stand for, and how you’re different.

We’ll define the strategic foundations of your brand — including vision, mission, values, positioning, and architecture — so your team can lead with clarity and show up with consistency.

Deliverables may include:

Brand pillars and narrative themes
Strategic positioning and differentiators
Brand architecture and hierarchy
Internal alignment strategy
Messaging guardrails and application guidance

Naming & Identity Strategy

The right name makes people pause — and remember.

I help you craft names that are more than catchy: they’re strategic, resonant, and deeply aligned with your values, audience, and market positioning.

Whether you’re launching a new brand, rebranding an existing one, or naming a product or program, I guide you through a structured process that considers sound, meaning, cultural context, and trademark viability — ensuring your identity is both ownable and unforgettable.

Content Strategy

Your message is only as strong as the system that carries it.

I build content strategies that help your brand show up consistently and meaningfully — across platforms, teams, and touchpoints. Whether you’re launching a campaign, revamping your site, or planning an always-on presence, I create content ecosystems rooted in purpose and audience insight.

Deliverables may include: