Big on Strategy. Light on Payroll. Why Startups Need a Fractional CMO Now.
Here’s a hard truth most early-stage founders don’t say out loud: Marketing is overwhelming. And worse — hiring a full-time CMO at this stage? Unrealistic.
You need strategy, but don’t have the budget. You need leadership, but not another full-time head. You need someone who’s been there, done that — but will roll up their sleeves today.
Enter: The Fractional CMO
Think of it as your on-demand marketing brain. A Fractional CMO brings all the strategic firepower of a full-time CMO, but works with you part-time — embedded in your team, aligned with your goals, and paid only for the time and value delivered.
At The Story Forge Collective, our Fractional CMO services are led by Geetanjali Purohit, who has built, scaled, and led marketing orgs for two decades across startups, unicorns, and legacy brands.
You get:
Brand clarity and strategic roadmap
Marketing org setup from scratch (or course-correction for chaos)
In-house + freelance team assembly
GTM plans that are grounded and executable
Strategic firepower at founder-friendly cost
Why Now?
Because the market is moving fast, and your competition is not waiting. Founders often delay building marketing muscle — then scramble when growth stagnates. A Fractional CMO can:
Accelerate traction without long-term hiring cycles
Avoid costly experiments by bringing proven frameworks
Provide leadership when the team is young or non-existent
Bridge the gap until a full-time marketing head is needed
Ideal For:
Seed to Series B startups that need marketing clarity fast
SMEs who are finally taking marketing seriously
Founder-led brands who’ve hit a plateau
Businesses undergoing transition (pivot, rebrand, expansion)
What You Really Get:
Geetanjali’s brain. Her experience, connections, and systems. Her strategic eye and deep operational know-how — but minus the overhead. All of the expertise. Some of the time. None of the waste.
TL;DR:
Marketing momentum doesn’t need to wait till your Series C hire. Build your foundation right, right now.
Need marketing leadership without the payroll pressure? Tap into TSFC’s Fractional CMO plan.