Navigating the AI Wave: A Guide to Authentic Business Growth

Navigating the AI Wave: A Guide for Authentic Business Growth

Back in February, when I first set out on my independent journey after leaving my role as General Manager at Arby’s, I hadn’t fully committed to resurrecting Stigma Marketing & Development. But one thing was clear: I needed to get ahead of the artificial intelligence (AI) curve. The existing and potential impact of AI is impossible to ignore. And so, I dove in. The moment the Marketing Destigmatized blog launched, I knew AI would have to be a topic to explore. From my initial encounters with ChatGPT two years ago while in the MBA program at the University of Montana—using it in its early days to help develop suicide prevention material—to now, AI has shifted from a curios tool to a reality central to business. Since then, I’ve prioritized obtaining certifications and coaching clients on using AI in ways that …

How To Grow Your Site On Your Own, One Thing At A Time

How to Grow Your Website: 6 Practical Things for Normal People To Compete

Building or improving a website that drives real business isn’t about luck—it’s about strategy, effort, and smart decisions. Websites aren’t just “set it and forget it.” Even if the front face of your website doesn’t change often, how you use your site makes all the difference in the world. What you do behind the scenes can make your website pop into more people’s scenes. Sites need ongoing work, a blend of both authentic and technical energy, and time spent in the right places. In this post, we’ll walk through how blogging, SEO, design, Google tools, a digital strategy, and backlinking can make the difference between a website that sits quietly in the digital void and one that gets found, converts visitors, and creates lasting connections. When it comes to Local SEO and getting your small business found in your community, …

Website Overhaul & QuickBooks: Stigma Update

Website Overhaul & QuickBooks: More Than Coats of Paint

Some behind the scenes in the mundane marketing & business development Running a startup in the field of development and marketing, particularly one like Stigma Marketing, isn’t just about refining processes or overhauling a website. It’s about weaving together personal growth, recovery, business strategy, and genuine, human-centered marketing. This isn’t a paint-by-numbers exercise; it’s more like throwing a bunch of colors at the wall and finding a masterpiece in the mess. My life, recovery, and the work I do with Stigma Marketing are all about authenticity, and I’ve learned that small, seemingly insignificant changes often lead to the most substantial growth. A Website Overhaul: More Than Just a Fresh Coat of Paint One of my biggest current projects is a complete overhaul of the Stigma Marketing website. At first glance, it might seem like just another facelift. But this isn’t …

Marketing Basics: How To Make Authenticity Work For You

Marketing Basics: Building Authentic Connections from the Ground Up Starting a business, especially one rooted in authenticity and genuine human connection, is no easy feat when you’ve spent most of your life avoiding vulnerability. It requires not just a good idea, but mistakes, strategy, and a lot of perseverance. When I launched Stigma Marketing & Development in Missoula, Montana, I knew it had to reflect my journey—both the highs and lows. In part, it started to make me do the kind of things I knew I should be. Drawing from my life experiences—my professional management and development background, my struggles with mental health, GMing an Arby’s, my near-MBA, and the lessons learned from my sobriety journey—I aimed to create a marketing company that wasn’t about gimmicks but about believing in people, their visions, and helping them succeed. This blog post …

Finding Your Why - A Recovering Pastor & Stigma Marketing

Finding Your Why: A Recovering Pastor & Stigma Marketing & Development

The Magic of Digital Marketing: Turning Ideas into Impact As a storyteller at heart, I’ve always believed in the power of a great idea. In today’s digital world, even a simple idea—when paired with the right content, audience, and timing—can do more than just catch fire; it can start a movement. But how do you take an idea and turn it into real, impactful results that resonate with your audience? That’s where authentic digital marketing comes into play. Why Authenticity Matters More Than Ever In a world full of noise, authenticity has become a game-changer for brands and businesses. Which is also kind of sad. People are craving genuine connections—they want to support brands that align with their values, tell compelling stories, and offer real value. In fact, 86% of consumers say that authenticity is a key factor when deciding …