Show Notes:

Too many companies launch with the belief that a great product will naturally attract customers. The truth? Without the right messaging and strategy, even the strongest ideas struggle to gain traction.

In this episode, Shubho sits down with Angelo Ponzi, a seasoned brand strategist and fractional CMO, to unpack what actually drives marketing success in early-stage and growth-stage businesses. From misunderstood branding efforts to tactical misfires, Angelo shares lessons from decades of helping companies clarify their message and build smarter go-to-market strategies.

This conversation goes deep into the challenges that founders and leadership teams face when they’re scaling — and why strategy should never be an afterthought.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why “build it and they will come” rarely works
• The difference between branding, identity, and positioning
• When it’s time to bring in a fractional CMO
• How to align your marketing and sales efforts for real growth
• Mistakes startups make when they try to scale too fast
• Red flags Angelo watches for before taking on a client
• The marketing blind spots that derail M&A readiness
• Lessons for anyone thinking about going fractional

Guest: Angelo Ponzi

Angelo Ponzi is a fractional CMO and brand strategist with over 25 years of experience helping companies strengthen their market presence, prepare for acquisition, and grow revenue through smarter marketing. He’s worked across industries, from early-stage startups to $100M+ firms, and brings a deeply strategic approach to everything from messaging to execution.

Find Angelo here:

🔗 linkedin.com/in/angeloponzi

🌐 https://www.craftmarketingandbranding.com/

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