Right now, running a business feels a bit like trying to fill a leaky bucket—costs keep rising, and no matter how much you pour in, something is draining it out. Inflation remains stubborn, interest rates are still high, and every week brings new tariff threats or supply chain disruptions that push prices even higher. From raw materials to payroll, everything costs more, and businesses are under increasing pressure to tighten budgets.

Picture this: the golden arches, now gleaming above a Michelin-starred dining room. The line between fine dining and fast food has never been so blurry. Welcome to McDonald’s Luxé, where Big Macs meet black-tie service and fries come in artisanal, gold-plated baskets.

How often do you feel pressured to jump at every opportunity that comes your way? We’re constantly told to “seize the opportunity!” It’s a motivational phrase that encourages us to leap at every chance. Successful people frequently tout the benefits of being first in line or acting quickly. But here’s the truth: not every opportunity is worth pursuing.

Hitting $100k in revenue is no small feat—so first, congrats! You’ve proven you can generate business. But now comes the tough part: scaling without doubling your workload or morphing into a sleep-deprived workaholic. The good news? There’s a way to make your marketing system work smarter, not harder, so you can grow without losing your sanity.

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Build it and they will come.” It’s a feel-good line straight out of a Hollywood movie, and like most things in Hollywood, it’s more fiction than fact. In reality, simply having a great product or service is not enough to attract a crowd of eager customers to your door.

Charcoal Marketing is pleased to announce the appointment of its new president, Mike Cyr. Cyr succeeds business founder and CMO Mike Hayes. Charcoal, established in 2016, is now steadily growing in its ninth year of successful operations.

Small businesses are not just starter kits for future behemoths. Some of us thrive on keeping it lean, mean, and ridiculously efficient. And guess what? We’re still laughing all the way to the bank—without the overhead of a massive HR department.

In the relentless pursuit of growth, it’s easy to fall into the trap of saying ‘yes’ to every opportunity that comes your way. But what if the real key to success lies in the word ‘no’? From avoiding draining clients to staying focused on what truly matters, knowing when to say ‘no’ can be the ultimate power move for your business.

Ever notice how the pursuit of perfection can kill the vibe? Your brand is spotless. Your messaging, impeccable. But is that really what people want? Is perfection overrated? Short answer: Yup. Let’s dive into why being too perfect might just be the most imperfect strategy for your business.

Sensory branding refers to engaging more than one of the human senses to create a holistic brand experience. Unlike standard marketing that mostly appeals to sight and sound, sensory branding also targets touch, taste, and smell.