Fractional Brand Lab
A fractional CMO
for startups.
Senior brand and marketing leadership for companies finding their footing. Strategy, identity, and launch direction from a 20+ year brand leader — on a fractional basis, at a stage when every dollar has to work.
The startup problem
Big-company leadership, startup-stage budget.
Startups need senior marketing thinking early — positioning, story, identity, launch — but a full-time CMO is a hire most can’t justify yet. A fractional CMO fills the gap: executive-level leadership scoped to what the stage demands.
The remit
What a fractional CMO does for a startup.
Positioning & messaging
Who the company is for, why it matters, and the story investors, customers, and hires all hear.
Launch strategy
The plan behind the launch — sequencing, story, and the moments that have to land.
Brand identity direction
Direction for the visual system, so the brand looks credible early — and keeps up as the company grows.
Early marketing leadership
Setting the marketing agenda and directing whoever executes it — in-house, freelance, or agency.
Board & investor narrative
A clear story for the deck, the pitch, and the update email — the brand thinking investors notice.
A fit when. you’re pre-scale and need senior leadership now, or the product is ready and the story isn’t.
Not a fit when. you need full-time, in-the-weeds execution every day, or the business model itself is still unproven.
Start here
The Brand Clarity Audit
Fixed scope · Two weeksBefore any engagement, get a straight answer on where your brand stands. A fixed-scope, two-week diagnostic — what’s working, what’s leaking, and what to fix first.
- Positioning & message review
- Visual identity review
- Competitive snapshot
- Customer perception check
- Channel consistency check
- Prioritized fix list
Engagements
Ways to work together.
Fractional partnership
From $4,500/mo. Senior brand leadership across strategy, identity, and campaigns. Typically begins with three months, then continues month-to-month with 30 days’ notice.
Creative + Marketing leadership
From $6,500/mo. Full-funnel creative and marketing direction for growing teams. Month-to-month after the initial engagement, with 30 days’ notice.
Project-based work typically runs $2,500–$7,500+. Billed monthly in advance; out-of-scope work is separately approved and terms are defined in each client agreement.
FAQ
Questions, answered.
How much does a fractional CMO cost for a startup?
At the Fractional Brand Lab, fractional engagements start at $4,500/month; creative + marketing leadership starts at $6,500/month. Most start with the Brand Clarity Audit — fixed scope, two weeks — so you know exactly what you’re buying before any monthly commitment.
When should a startup hire a fractional CMO?
When the product is real but the story isn’t — before a launch, a fundraise, or a growth push. If marketing decisions are being made without senior leadership in the room, it’s time.
Do you work with very early-stage companies?
It depends on the stage and the need — and the Brand Clarity Audit is the right starting point either way. Two weeks, fixed scope, and you’ll know whether a fractional engagement makes sense.
How fast can we start?
With the audit. It’s a fixed two-week scope, so there’s no long onboarding — you get a prioritized read on the brand and a clear path forward, fast.
Have a brand problem that needs senior attention?
Let’s talk about where the business is going, what’s in the way, and the smartest place to start.