Stigma Marketing & Development is built around values that are deeply personal to me, with authenticity at the core. It’s been a long road to get here—one filled with self-discovery, difficult decisions, and growth, both personally and professionally. I’ve had to face the baggage that comes with telling my story, sort through relationships affected by my drinking, and work through what it means to live authentically while creating the business I was building every day. If I was going to build something meaningful through Stigma, I’d have to dig deep, make things right, and do the hard work to become the kind of leader and consultant I believe in. That was February of 2024.
This is part of the reason authenticity matters even more to me now—and why it’s central to the work I do. Burnout, poor decision-making, and moral failures in leadership often stem from people not being able to show up as their full, messy, and real selves. I’ve experienced that firsthand. Stigma Marketing & Development wasn’t just a business idea I dreamed up; it’s part of my own personal journey. The more I create and develop for Stigma, the more I become myself. I knew I had the ability to build this business, but I was also terrified of doing it. Learning to do the things that scared me—those my younger, rebellious self avoided—has forced me to confront who I am now and who I want to be. And the truth is, facing that head-on has made me grow in ways I never imagined. reconciliation
The Past Few Months: Recovery and Reconnection
Recovery isn’t just about getting sober—it’s about fixing what’s broken, and that has felt like a non-stop part of my journey. At least it’s flipped around now. The last few months have included reconnecting with people, repairing relationships, and getting a much-needed dose of reality. On the flip side, it’s also involved getting comfortable with business ideas and reevaluating where things are at now. Another thing I’ve learned is that this type of reevaluation is a necessary skill for long-term business success. It’s been tough but has reaffirmed why I started Stigma: to build something authentically meaningful—something that helps people in real, practical ways.
Unresolved baggage from our past both gets in the way and blocks opportunities because our egos are too fragile. If you disagree, meet your ego 😉
A big part of Stigma Marketing & Development’s mission isn’t just giving back to the community but being a good part of it. This is personal to me, and a lot of time has been spent thinking about how to integrate all areas of life and work into one cohesive thing. With Stigma, it was going to be about how we help people make a good impact while leveraging my past professional experiences to actively serve the community. Since Spring 2024, two big focus areas have been healthy masculinity and suicide prevention.
It took a few weeks of pinching myself and calming down to realize these things were actually happening. For this recovering pastor, that was a new experience—seeing that ideas I cared about were working with real people. The passion for my work and the opportunities for the next year blow my mind—and that’s just the beginning. Stigma is becoming a reflection of who I am, what I care about, and the work I want to do. That’s incredibly exciting—and rare.
Suicide Prevention Work and New Programs
One of the areas Stigma is focusing on is suicide prevention. There’s been a lot of interest in the free QPR suicide prevention trainings we offer. I’ve had six confirmed participants so far, with more on the horizon. The list includes two dispensaries, a beauty school, two nonprofits, and a downtown bar. I’ve also just met about working with a local advocate who has run suicide prevention programs longer than I’ve lived in Missoula and has a campaign targeting local bars. We’re reviewing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to see how we can collaborate and expand our efforts.
In the coming months, Stigma’s goal is to offer these trainings regularly—especially before the holidays, when mental health challenges tend to increase. On the “maybe” list is a free public suicide prevention training for the Missoula community. If it doesn’t happen this year, it will next. Beyond that, I plan to create content and resources around mental health, including guided journals for those struggling with suicide and a free kit for organizational leaders. These will be available in digital and print formats, with online courses providing deeper support.
Every Human’s Journey: From Beta to Movement
Another exciting project I’m developing is Every Human’s Journey. Originally called “Every Man’s Journey,” the program is based on Jungian psychology and the Hero’s Journey framework. But it was never limited to men. I’ve partnered with Sierra Counseling & Coaching to further develop the model, and the plan is to build a curriculum that’s open to everyone—regardless of gender or identity. There are two other people I’d love to get on board as well.
The Every Man’s Journey beta group is about halfway through, and it’s working beautifully. Eventually, the program will expand into various subtypes under the “Every Human’s Journey” umbrella. I plan to release the core curriculum under a Creative Commons license so others can use and adapt it. Like before, there will be free kits for people to start their own groups, along with online and print content for purchase. This project has the potential to become a movement—a way for people to connect with their inner journey and grow in ways that feel real and meaningful.
Digital Content Hub and Rebuilding the Stigma Website
On the business side, Stigma Marketing & Development’s website is due for a major overhaul. I threw it up quickly when I relaunched, but now I want to burn the whole thing down. A few contracts need to close before I dive into the rebuild, but once I start, it will be an all-in project. I work best when I tackle everything at once—it helps me think through ideas and piece them together. By the end of it, Stigma’s business model and strategy will be locked in for the foreseeable future.
The new site will feature a digital content hub that brings together all the coaching, development strategies, business tools, and whiteboard sessions I’ve been working on. The focus will be on providing real value—tools that are practical and actionable. If you’re someone trying to grow a business, lead a team, or make a difference, this will be a place for you.
There will also be marketing tips, personal development resources, business strategies, and leadership insights, including how to bootstrap a business with minimal resources. The site will dive into the psychology and philosophy behind marketing and explore egoless leadership—a topic I’ve become passionate about.
And, true to my brand, there will be some random and fun content too. More on that later.
Networking, SEO, and Social Media
I’ve been putting more effort into local SEO and networking. A handshake beats an email every time, especially once you know your services and feel comfortable talking about what you do. Also, I now know I can get results. I plan to lean into face-to-face connections and build relationships within the local business community. My website will do its job so I can focus on maintaining my network.
Scaling Stigma’s digital strategy is on the whiteboard again. I’ve learned you don’t need to post every day unless your audience expects it. What matters more is having a plan and sticking to it. Stigma’s digital strategy will focus on lead generation, web presence, and scaling digital sales—and I’m eager to dive in.
Scaling Through Teams and Products
Over the next few months, I’m focused on scaling Stigma’s capacity. I’ve always envisioned Stigma as development-first, with marketing as the front-end service. To scale effectively, I’m building a team of subcontractors and vendors to supply clients with everything they need.
I’m also working on digital products, from quirky designs like “Brains Are Stupid/Bodies Suck” T-shirts and AI Llama-Bigfoot hybrid stickers to more intentional creations around personal growth, stigmas, mental health, and just-cuz-Paule-wanted-tos. These products will be available in an online store, alongside the tools and resources Stigma Marketing develops over time.
Certifications and Final Thoughts
I plan to finish certifications, including Google Tag Manager and some AI courses. These will deepen my expertise and add social proof to my business.
With the new website launch, I’ll also release lead magnets, like guides on Authentic Marketing and Building a Digital Strategy from Scratch. Once the website and SEO are in place, I’ll switch to a waitlist model, with prices increasing naturally as demand grows.
It still feels strange to feel actually excited about running my own business—like I’m not allowed to. But after months of building, refining, and learning, the plan is coming together. The hard truth is that there’s been a lot of growing up too. I only have room for a couple more monthly partners, but for now, I’ll keep focusing on growth, helping others, and building a business that reflects my values.
As Marcus Aurelius once said, “Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.” That’s what I’m trying to do—live my values, be honest, love people, build something meaningful, and help others do the same.
There’s a lot more to come, and can’t wait to share it. If you’ve read this far—thank you.
“Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.” — Brené Brown