The Real Reason Startups Don’t Scale (It’s Not Product)

In this episode of the Marketing Scientists Podcast, Elaine Zelby shares the real levers behind startup growth — and it’s not just product or GTM strategy. Elaine dives into how culture, hiring, and operational systems shape whether a marketing engine can actually scale.

From building trust and clarity across teams to designing systems that don’t break at $10M ARR, Elaine breaks down what most founders miss. She also shares why brand is often an output of culture, how to hire for execution and alignment, and why growth marketing fails without shared values at the core.

About the guest:
Elaine Zelby is the Co-Founder and CRO of TofuHQ, and a growth advisor to early-stage startups. With leadership experience spanning marketing, operations, and product, she brings rare clarity to the intersection of brand, culture, and scale.