
Go-to-Market (GTM) is more than just launching a product—it’s how your business wins. But nearly half of startups don’t have a dedicated marketing team. In this article, I break down why marketing isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s the engine that powers GTM success from day one. From defining your ICP to aligning messaging across every touchpoint, marketing plays a pivotal role in building momentum, driving revenue, and creating lasting customer impact. Plus: what to do if you can’t afford a full-time CMO (hint: there’s a smarter way).

At 22, I said I’d never run a marathon—it felt impossible. But since then, I’ve completed three, each one teaching me resilience, focus, and the power of doing hard things. That same mindset shift is what’s now driving me to launch my own Fractional CMO business.