From Finance to Marketing: One Expert's Transformative Journey

Make Space For More

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Make Space for More podcast, host Melissa Swink interviews Jen Fietz, founder of Stoke RGA, who shares her journey from finance to marketing and the unique approach her company takes in helping manufacturers grow. They discuss the importance of strategic alignment, the challenges of rebranding, and the process of conducting a growth gap analysis. Tune in to discover the importance of specialized expertise in your area of business and the benefits of seeking an outside perspective when navigating business challenges.

Key Highlights:

• Authentic business growth stems from strategic alignment between marketing efforts and core business objectives.
• Manufacturers need more than traditional marketing tactics; they need a comprehensive growth strategy (including a “growth gap analysis”) that considers the entire business ecosystem.
• Gaining an outside perspective can transform your rebranding journey from daunting to strategic.
• Measuring outcomes, not just implementing ideas, is crucial for sustainable business growth.

About Our Guest:

Jennifer leads Stoke RGA as a founder, growth architect, and fierce advocate for execution that actually delivers outcomes. A proud woman-owned business leader, she brings strategic clarity, financial rigor, and a deep respect for the manufacturing mindset to everything she does. With a background in corporate finance and years of experience advising mid-market manufacturing companies, she’s known for helping leadership teams cut through complexity, align around what matters, and build momentum that lasts. Raised in a family of manufacturers, Jen understands the pressure to perform—and leads with a sharp focus on outcomes, not ideas. At Stoke RGA, she ensures every initiative is built for impact, grounded in execution, and designed to move the needle.

About Melissa:

Melissa Swink, Founder & CEO of Melissa Swink & Co., has a team of virtual assistants who provide administrative and marketing support for small businesses and non-profits.

Since 2012, Melissa and her team have helped more than 100 businesses grow through the services they offer, and she is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs create profitable, scalable businesses they love.

Her work is all about doing what works (and eliminating what doesn’t) and driving real, measurable results. Visit www.melissaswink.com to learn more!

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