Marketing Starts Here has been part of my life since 2015, although it had a different name back then.
I originally started The Social Link to help local businesses figure out how to use Facebook for their marketing. A lot of business owners were just beginning to understand what social media could do for them.
As my work expanded beyond social media, I changed the name to Marketing Starts Here in 2018.
Since then, I’ve continued working in journalism, communications and marketing, including several years in corporate marketing. In January 2026, I returned to running Marketing Starts Here.
A lot has changed since 2015, especially with AI becoming part of everyday marketing. But one thing hasn’t changed.
There’s still a human being on both sides of the marketing.
And that’s something I don’t want small businesses to lose.
What Marketing Starts Here is about today
Before you spend more time posting on social media, find out what your business actually needs from its marketing.
I’ve seen business owners worry about not posting often enough, then rush to put something on Facebook simply because they feel they should.
But marketing is much more than social media. It’s your website, emails, advertising, signage and everything else your customers see and experience when they interact with your business.
Sometimes the best place to start is by looking at what you’re already doing.
That’s why I now focus on marketing advice, reviews and practical planning rather than just creating more content.
What you’ll find here
Every Tuesday, I share practical marketing advice, ideas and observations from my work with small businesses.
We’ll talk about social media, websites, email marketing, branding, AI and the things that make marketing easier to understand and manage.
My aim is to give you information you can use in your own business, whether you’re doing all the marketing yourself or looking for some guidance.
If you’d like to understand more about how I approach marketing, these four articles are a good place to start:
Scattered Looks Like This
Clear Looks Like This
How I Actually Work
A Real Win
I’m based in St. Marys, Ontario, but my work isn’t limited to local businesses.
If you’d like to receive my articles each Tuesday, you can subscribe for free.
And if you’d like some experienced guidance with your own marketing, you can explore ways we can work together.