Clarity is more valuable than content.
One clear message will always outperform a lot of mediocre ones.
Strategy-first. No guesswork. No hype.
For more than 25 years, Katie has helped business owners, consultants, and organizations figure out what to say, how to say it, and what to do next. She is a writer and a strategist, which means the thinking and the words matter in equal measure.
Why Katie started coaching
Running Mayes MarCom, Katie kept meeting people who were not quite ready for agency support, but needed more than a book or a course. They needed someone to look at their specific situation and say: here is what is off, here is what is working, and here is exactly what to do next.
Not everyone needs a full marketing team. Some of the sharpest business owners and marketers are running lean, staying hands-on, and doing the work themselves. What they need is a clear strategy and an honest outside perspective - not more overhead.
Beliefs that shape the work
You do not need to be everywhere.
You just need to be consistent in the right places. Focus beats volume, every time.
Strategy should be honest and custom.
Generic frameworks do not fit real businesses. Yours is specific, so your plan should be too.
Marketing should not feel like a performance.
When your message is right, showing up feels like leadership, not theater.
You do not have to figure it out alone.
The best thinking almost always happens in conversation.
Working style
Clear, calm, and direct. Katie asks the questions other people skip over, gets to the heart of the issue quickly, and gives you a plan that is grounded, specific, and doable.
What the work feels like
- No ego.
- No overcomplicated frameworks.
- Honest, focused support to help you make better decisions.
Credentials
Katie brings agency, organizational, and teaching experience to the work, with a career rooted in brand strategy, messaging, and marketing leadership.
Founder
Mayes MarCom, a boutique marketing agency serving food brands, service providers, and training organizations.
Former role
VP of Marketing and Product Development, AIB International.
Former role
Director of Marketing Services, Kansas State University.
Teaching
Adjunct professor in PR and advertising writing.
Experience
25+ years in brand strategy, messaging, and marketing leadership.
Sectors
Food safety, education, professional services, and consulting.
Outside of work
Katie is based in the Midwest, is a mom of two, and spends as much time outdoors as she can. She makes pottery, enjoys a well-organized Google Doc more than most people think is reasonable, and still thinks of herself as a writer first. It shapes how she approaches strategy: every decision should eventually produce better words.
Want to know if we are a good fit?
Start with a quick, no-pressure conversation about what kind of support makes the most sense for where you are right now.
Book a free strategy call