Fractional CMO & Marketing Leadership

Let’s give your marketing
some clarity

Your marketing department, without the full-time hire
Work with us
Fractional CMO & Marketing Leadership

Let’s give your marketing
some direction

Your marketing department, without the full-time hire
Work with us
Fractional CMO & Marketing Leadership

Let’s give your marketing
some momentum

Your marketing department, without the full-time hire
Work with us
Fractional CMO & Marketing Leadership

Let’s give your marketing
some light

Your marketing department, without the full-time hire
Work with us
What is Awakening Brands

We bring marketing

into focus.

Awakening Brands is a fractional CMO and marketing execution partner. We step into your organization to lead your marketing so it feels aligned, focused, and effective.

We assess what’s working, identify what isn’t, and build a clear path forward. Then we stay involved to guide execution and make sure the strategy translates into results.
Marketing should not feel overwhelming or disconnected.

It should feel clear, intentional, and built to support your growth.
Start with a Marketing DiagnosticLearn how we work
Who You're Working With

Karen
Vasquez

Founder & Fractional CMO
Karen started Awakening Brands to help nonprofits and growing organizations build marketing that actually works. She brings over a decade of experience spanning communications, PR, and business operations. Her clients get senior marketing leadership, a team that handles execution, and a partner who stays invested in their results.
The Fractional CMO Awakening Method

A system, not a service list.

We don’t offer a menu of disconnected services. We offer a complete system to lead your marketing, from assessment to strategic direction to execution.

Marketing
Diagnostic

Before we build anything, we look at everything.
We assess your current marketing to understand what’s working, what isn’t, and where the gaps are. You walk away with a clear picture of where you stand and a focused direction for what to do next.
A clear audit of your marketing performance
Identified gaps
and opportunities
Identified gaps
and opportunities

Strategic
Direction

This is the core of our work.
We step in as your marketing lead; guiding strategy, aligning your team, defining priorities, and supporting decision-making on an ongoing basis. Your team gains clarity. Your marketing gains momentum.
A clear marketing strategy aligned to your goals
Ongoing guidance and

decision support
A team that knows what to focus on and why

Execution
Support

Strategy is only useful if it gets done.
We support implementation through our team. Execution is always guided by strategy.
Content & Social Media
Email Marketing & Communications
Brand Strategy & Growth
What Problems We Solve

You’ve tried marketing help before.

It didn’t feel like help.

Most organizations we work with have already hired someone, whether an agency, a freelancer, or a social media manager. They did the work, ran the campaigns, and posted the content, but nothing really changed because no one was ever looking at the whole picture.
“We have vendors for ads, social, and our website, and none of them talk to each other.”
“Every agency we’ve tried just does what we ask. No one has ever told us what we actually need.”
“We’ve spent real money on campaigns that went nowhere. No one could explain why.”
“They didn’t understand our mission. They treated us like any other client.”
“Our marketing says one thing. Our sales says another. Nothing is aligned.”
“No one owns the outcome. Things fall through the cracks and it’s always someone else’s problem.”
“We’ve started wondering if we should just keep doing it ourselves.”
The Full Picture

One partnership. 
Every capability you need.

Most organizations piece together vendors for different channels and end up with fragmented results. Here is how working with Awakening Brands compares.
Typical agencies specialize in execution but do not lead strategy. An in-house hire covers strategy but cannot execute across every channel. Awakening Brands does both, fully integrated under one partnership.
What to Expect

Here is what working with us actually looks like.

Let’s Talk

You reach out

We schedule a short call to learn about your organization, understand where your marketing stands, and find out what you are trying to build. It is an honest conversation, not a sales pitch. We want to understand your situation before we say anything about how we can help.

We start with the Diagnostic

Every engagement begins here, without exception. Before we make any recommendations, we take a full look at your marketing. What is working, what is not, and where the biggest opportunities are. You walk away with a clear picture and a prioritized plan, whether you continue with us or not.

We build the
engagement around you

Based on what the Diagnostic reveals, we design the engagement to fit what your organization actually needs. Whether that is strategic leadership, full execution support, or a combination of both, we figure it out together based on where you are and where you are going.

We stay invested

This is not a one-time project or a set-it-and-forget-it retainer. We show up as your marketing partner in the decisions, the strategy, and the outcomes, and we stay honest with you about what is working and what needs to change.

Find Your Fit

Every engagement starts
with the Diagnostic.

Is This You?

We work best with organizations ready to move forward.

We partner with leaders who are serious about their marketing but need the structure and direction to make it work.

Growing
Organizations

We work best with organizations ready to move forward with marketing that is structured, consistent, and tied to their goals.

Teams Without a Marketing Lead

You have talented people but no one owning the big picture. We step in as that leader so your team has direction and your marketing has accountability.

Nonprofits

We specialize in mission-driven organizations. From fundraising marketing strategy to Google Grants management, we bring structure and clarity to nonprofit marketing.

Organizations Rebuilding
Their Marketing

Whether things have gotten scattered or you’re starting fresh, we help you build a foundation that works and a system that lasts.

Your team knows what to focus on.

With a clear strategy in place, your team stops guessing and spinning on small decisions because everyone understands the direction and their role in it.

Your marketing starts working together.

Channels, messages, and campaigns all point in the same direction. More consistency, more impact, less wasted effort.

You can measure what matters.

Once your marketing has direction, performance becomes measurable. You can see what is moving the needle, what is not, and where to focus your energy next.

Senior-level leadership without the full-time cost.

You get strategic depth and hands-on guidance at a fraction of what a full-time employee would cost.

You stop starting over.

We build systems that hold up over time. When priorities shift or team members change, your marketing stays on track.
What You Gain

What changes when your marketing has direction.

Book Your Diagnostic
Organizations We’ve Worked With

Trusted by teams doing meaningful work.

Find Your Fit

What clients say after working with us.

Karen was an excellent collaborator. Once immersed in the brand, she brought clear direction and conviction to every decision, while remaining open to new approaches as needs evolved. She developed a compelling visual identity and voice that communicated our brand to the outside world exactly as we envisioned it.

Christopher, Digital Spaces Manager

“The Awakening Brands team genuinely cares about my business and my goals. My products now appear more interesting, consistent, and professional. The whole process was painless — I wish I had done this sooner.”

Matthew, Effitile Consulting

“What stood out most was how well Karen understood my voice. She prioritizes long-term relationships and always manages to make herself indispensable.”

Chris, Caissa

Let’s Connect

Tell us what you need help with.

Fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch to schedule a call. No commitment, just a conversation about where you are and how we can help.
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FAQs

Questions we hear often.

If you don’t see your question here, reach out — we’re easy to talk to.

Clarity. Structure. Direction.

Fractional CMO & Marketing Leadership

hello@awakeningbrands.com

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