Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business 1240: The "Grounded Growth" Secret to Sustainable GROWTH Marketing w/ Cody Gillund
In this episode, we dive deep into the art and science of sustainable business growth with Cody Gillund, the founder of Grounded Growth Studio. Cody breaks down why so many entrepreneurs get stuck in a cycle of random tactics and explains how to build a powerful marketing engine by starting with strategy first. She reveals that things like brand and messaging aren't just "nice-to-haves" you can focus on later—they are the essential foundation for attracting the right customers and driving meaningful traction. For any wantrepreneur or entrepreneur tired of throwing money at marketing with little to show for it, Cody provides a clear, actionable roadmap for aligning your strategy with execution to build a business that lasts.
💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business
- Why "growth marketing" is more than just a buzzword and how to leverage its core principles for rapid scaling.
- The crucial difference between strategy and tactics, and why starting with tactics is a recipe for failure.
- How to develop a powerful brand and messaging strategy that resonates deeply with your ideal customer.
- A framework for choosing the right marketing channels instead of just jumping on every trend.
- How to leverage AI as a powerful "intern" to boost productivity and creativity without sacrificing authenticity.
- The key metrics to track at the beginning of your marketing journey versus when your campaigns are mature.
- How to create project-based service packages that solve specific, high-value problems for your clients.
📝 About Cody Gillund
Cody Gillund is the founder of Grounded Growth Studio, a marketing consultancy that helps tech founders and growth-stage teams align strategy with execution to drive meaningful traction. With nearly 20 years of experience leading marketing for high-growth startups and global brands, she excels at turning complex go-to-market challenges into clear, actionable plans. Cody is passionate about bridging the gap between marketing and leadership to help companies build smart, sustainable growth.
🎯 Cody’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs
"Go for it. Don't be afraid to do something scary. Don't be afraid to make a mistake. You know, be brave and get out there and try new things."
📢 Memorable Quotes
- “Brand isn't optional. A lot of the coming up of performance marketing and some of the more scientific marketing skill sets have sometimes pushed brand marketing to the wayside a bit. And I do think some founders sometimes think, okay, well I'll focus on brand later.”
- “I think of AI… as sort of my intern. So I've trained my own AI tools to work for me… it always needs to be checked… it's not fail safe, but it can help in so many ways and it can help you be smarter.”
- “I think sometimes the fear of being perfect can keep you from doing anything at all. Right. And so that hinders growth in itself.”
💡 Actionable Takeaways
- Start tracking "early indicator" metrics like organic traffic, site engagement, and social media resonance to see if your message is being heard.
- Experiment with using an AI tool as a brainstorming partner. Ask it for headline variations or to outline tasks for a project, then add your own expertise and voice.
🔗 Links & Resources