Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie.
Natalie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
CreativeMktGroup began as a start-up business on $0 capital in January 2016 and has since continued to grow organically. Founder, Natalie McNamara, determined a gap in the marketplace for small businesses and the quality, simple marketing support they so very well deserve. Furthermore, it seemed the only options available were top marketing agencies which are certainly stellar in quality, yet not typically affordable to small businesses.
As the CMG client base has grown, so has the team. And along the way, it has been challenging, but important to remain lean and process driven, in an effort to be most efficient and to, again, provide a simple marketing resource to clients.
Today and continually moving forward, CreativeMktGroup commits to finding a way to support start-ups, small businesses, non-profits, and associations.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a completely smooth road.
In 4 years of CreativeMktGroup from the days our doors opening, we experienced steady growth and built a thriving agency serving small businesses, nonprofits, and associations. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we had grown to a team of 15 full-time employees and were experiencing strong momentum.
Then COVID hit, and almost overnight many of our clients were forced to make difficult financial decisions. Marketing budgets were often among the first expenses to be reduced or eliminated, and we lost dozens of clients in a relatively short period of time. Like many small businesses, we faced significant financial challenges and uncertainty about what the future would hold.
For more than a year, we worked hard to adapt, support our clients, and preserve jobs wherever possible. Unfortunately, about 18 months into the pandemic, we were forced to make the difficult decision to downsize. It was one of the hardest periods in our company’s history, both financially and emotionally.
That experience taught me valuable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and leadership during times of crisis. We had to rethink our services, operate more efficiently, and find new ways to create value for our clients. While it was an incredibly challenging chapter, it ultimately made our organization stronger and better prepared to navigate change.
Today, I’m proud that we not only survived that period but emerged with a clearer focus and a renewed appreciation for the importance of building a business that can weather unexpected challenges.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
CreativeMktGroup is a full-service marketing, communications, and association management firm that helps organizations grow through strategic marketing, brand development, membership engagement, event management, and operational support.
What makes us different is that we don’t approach our clients as an outside vendor—we become an extension of their team. Whether we’re working with a professional association, nonprofit, small business, or growing organization, our focus is on understanding their goals and building customized solutions that create measurable results.
Over the years, we’ve developed particular expertise in serving membership-based organizations, trade associations, and nonprofits. In addition to traditional marketing services such as branding, digital marketing, content creation, website development, and public relations, we provide comprehensive association management services that help organizations strengthen member engagement, streamline operations, and increase revenue.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the longevity of our client relationships. Many of our clients have been with us for years because we prioritize partnership, responsiveness, and delivering real value. We measure our success by the success of the organizations we serve.
As a company, we’ve also built a reputation for being deeply connected to our community. We understand the unique challenges and opportunities facing organizations in Virginia because we’re not just marketing to the community—we’re actively involved in helping shape it.
At our core, CreativeMktGroup exists to help organizations tell their story, grow their impact, and achieve sustainable success. We believe great marketing is about more than promotion—it’s about building meaningful connections that move organizations forward.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I believe the marketing and association management industries are entering a period where authenticity, community, and strategic guidance will become even more valuable than technology alone.
Artificial intelligence is already transforming how organizations create content, analyze data, and communicate with their audiences. While AI will continue to improve efficiency and automate many routine tasks, I don’t believe it will replace the need for strategy, creativity, relationship-building, and human connection. In fact, as more content becomes AI-generated, organizations that can communicate authentically and build genuine trust will stand out even more.
For associations and membership organizations, I see a growing emphasis on member experience and engagement. Members increasingly expect personalized communication, meaningful networking opportunities, and clear value from their memberships. Organizations that leverage technology while maintaining strong relationships with their members will be best positioned for success.
I also think we’re going to see increased demand for fractional leadership and outsourced expertise. Many organizations need high-level marketing, operational, and strategic support but don’t necessarily have the resources to hire full-time executives or large internal teams. That’s creating opportunities for firms like ours to serve as trusted partners and extensions of our clients’ organizations.
Finally, I believe professional development and coaching will continue to grow significantly. The pace of change in business is accelerating, and leaders are looking for guidance, accountability, and support as they navigate new challenges. Organizations are increasingly recognizing that investing in leadership development is just as important as investing in technology or marketing.
Over the next 5–10 years, the organizations that thrive will be those that successfully combine innovation with authentic human connection. That’s where we see the greatest opportunity—not just helping clients adapt to change, but helping them lead through it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.creativemktgroup.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativemktgroup/
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/10503116/
