Nora DiNuzzo

Blood Sweat & Tears

You’ve worked too hard for it to be this hard.

BS&T is a committed partner to ambitious agencies frustrated by inconsistent growth.

We develop and implement a custom growth strategy that meets you where you are today – whether your goal is to stabilize, sustain, scale or sell your agency.

Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer

Pitcher 🍋

Small businesses deserve to grow, too. 

Pitcher is a growth consultancy for entrepreneurs and small businesses (<$25mm).

We work directly with founders to:

+ Diagnose their growth issues 

+ Refine their first-mile strategies (brand, business, content and comms)

+ Optimize their marketing and business development processes to align with growth goals

+ Match small businesses to right-fit service providers

+ Broker strategic alliances and partnerships

Founder & President

Smiths Agency

In September 2022, Smiths Agency (fka Smith Brothers) was acquired by Barkley: barkleyus.com

Vice President of Business Development

Director of Business Development

Business Development Manager

MARC USA

In June 2020, MARC USA merged with two other agencies to form 9 Rooftops: 9rooftops.com

New Business Specialist

Account Manager

You’ve worked too hard for it to be this hard.

Growing up, one thing I never aspired to be was an entrepreneur. 

Running your own company was for the incredibly wealthy (Mr. Burns) or the incredibly innovative (Doc Brown). I was neither.

But what I’ve learned about entrepreneurs over the past few years is that they have one thing in common – they desperately want to fix something that drives them nuts. 

As it turns out – throughout my life and career, a lot of things drove me nuts. 

So nuts that in October 2021, I quit a VP-level job at an ad agency to start my own consultancy – Pitcher – to help small businesses grow.

Because the fact that agencies could rarely find a way to work with companies <$25mm in annual revenue drove me nuts.

Because I believe that small businesses deserve to grow, too. 

In April 2023, I got a call from a friend that I never planned for – with an offer to create something I never considered doing less than two years into being a founder.

A second company.

Because the fact that so many brilliant agencies continuously struggle to grow drove him nuts. 

As it turns out – it drives me nuts, too. 

So nuts that I said yes – and Blood Sweat & Tears was born. 

Yes, born. I have given birth to two human children – and two businesses.

There is not a damn thing women can’t do.

I wasn’t a business developer - until I was.

I wasn’t an executive - until I was.

I wasn’t a strategist - until I was.

I wasn’t a founder - until I was.

I wasn’t a speaker - until I was.

Just because you aren’t yet, doesn’t mean you aren’t in the process of becoming.

So whatever you’re becoming - keep at it.

Until you are.

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This is my quarterly reminder to founders:

GET OUT THERE ✈️

I spent 4 days in NYC this week, and caught up with over 100 people while here.

3 conferences + many co-located events.

An event Christine Olivas and I designed and co-hosted.

Meals and meetups with people who are here in NYC for these events, or are full-time New Yorkers.

Not only did I accomplish a few very specific things with and for some of my clients while here…

But I also strengthened relationships with current clients and partners, and made many new quality connections.

And I learned a lot - particularly at Blackweek. More to come on that next week.

Most importantly… I had a ton of FUN with some of my business besties!

Thank you Christine, Starr Session Varga and Victoria Carrington Chávez✨ for making this week so awesome. Core memory for sure 💖

The hardest thing in business is to say NO.

NO to projects that aren’t profitable enough.

NO to pitches you don’t have a right to win.

NO to people you’d prefer not to enrich.

NO to clients who undervalue you from Day 1.

NO to that one more thing that is going to push you over the edge, mentally or physically.

NO to work that isn’t in your zone of genius.

NO to things that don’t spark joy.

We are so conditioned to people please.

To be yes people. 

Saying no isn’t being difficult.

Saying no is having boundaries and standards for yourself.

As a business owner - it’s also about having standards for the type of organization you are building and leading.

If you lead a team - trust that your Nos and Yeses are being watched very closely by your employees.

It’s one of the reasons I left full-time employment 4 years ago.

And now - saying no is the thing I work on the most. 

Much respect to Pikes Ibiza for their very prominent list of NOs posted at the check in desk outside this storied club. 

I particularly agree with the last one. It’s the #1 NO for my businesses, too.

Now more than ever, it seems that people are afraid to tell the truth.

The safe and sanitized parts are regurgitated over and over as talking points on panels, in op-eds and on the nightly news.

Legal-approved.
Board-sanctioned.
Investor-friendly.

We give the same uncontroversial takes, share the same safe ideas in brainstorms. 

Which then get made into the same neutral and ineffective ads, events and experiences.

No boats rocked. No thoughts provoked. 

And we avoid confronting the truth once again.

Because the truth is incredibly uncomfortable.

Difficult. Painful. Hard. Embarrassing. Shameful, even.

This is why the most important event for me and for everyone to attend is Blackweek.

At Blackweek, the truth is told.

By every speaker. On every topic.

Unvarnished. Raw. Real.

But also empathetic. Hopeful. And in a way that builds community.

Thank you to the truth tellers I was able to witness speak this year at Blackweek 2025 - Don Lemon, Joy Reid, Cindy Gallop and Lola Bakare. 

Your talks were all incredibly powerful, rallying and inspirational.

But most importantly - they were truthful to the core.

Thank you to the founders of Blackweek - Walter T Geer III, Joseph Anthony, Monique Nelson, Dabo Ché, Gabrielle Shirdan, andre gray and Adan Romero.

You have created a world-class event and have programmed what I consider to be the top thought leadership event in the industry.

AND you’ve created an environment and community of complete safety, where we can dare to speak the truth out loud.

This year, I invited two of my friends and clients to join me at Blackweek - Starr Session Varga and Victoria Carrington Chávez✨- both of whom are Black women.

Seeing and hearing how safe, supported, included and appreciated they felt in this space was everything.

I got to see them tell their truth to others. 

And I saw a side of each of them flourish that I know they have to keep behind walls at times, with certain people and in certain spaces.

We should all be free to be ourselves, 100% of the time.

We should all be free to tell the truth, 100% of the time.

At Blackweek, this is the reality.

And it’s why when it’s over every year - none of us want to leave 🖤

In a shock to absolutely no one, LinkedIn doesn’t seem to like that I put the words “truth” and “Black” in the same post.

Nevertheless… I hope my post about Blackweek finds you. Please come over to my page and read it in full. It’s pinned to the top so you can find it.

PS - Blackweek is not just for Black people. Blackweek is for ALL of us.

Christine Olivas and I are in NYC! 🍎

Will we see you tonight at karaoke? 🎤 

Come out, sing a song - and support the BLAC Internship Program 🖤

We have a few spots still available. Text/DM me to get on the list!

Weds 10/8 (TONIGHT!) 5-8p. DM for location 😎

Cherishing time with my family at home before my next stint on the road.

Mick Mize gave me the gift of the mantra FOR NOW - and over the last year I have been working to be as present as I can be, wherever I am.

For now… I’m home and looking forward to celebrating Halloween with my kids - one of their favorite days of the year.

This year, they are being Link from Zelda 🗡️ and a Sloth 🦥 

For now… I’m enjoying the games of chess, bedtime chats and Dave DiNuzzo’s amazing meals (his latest party trick - homemade meatballs and sauce 🍝) 

In November, I will be traveling all 4 weeks of the month. The first three for work, the last one for personal.

I have never done this before. I have traveled 3 of 4 weeks, 4 of 6 weeks… but never 4 consecutive weeks.

While the thought of this is daunting and honestly giving me a bit of the Sunday scaries… I know I can do it.

This is what I have designed my businesses to enable me to do. And these are all incredible reasons to be “getting out there.”

Nov 2-5 in Atlanta for Brandweek.

Nov 10-14 in Austin for a client retreat - my 3rd one with them.

Nov 17-20 in Boston and Rosemary Beach, FL for two events with the 4As ❤️ 

I am so fortunate to have incredible clients and partners who value the time together in-person to exchange ideas, learn from each other, and accelerate our progress.

Nothing will ever beat in-person for collaboration, relationship building and strengthening.

But traveling is full on. It’s exhausting. And I miss my family like crazy when I’m gone.

I’m so grateful to Dave for being my partner that makes this all possible. I could never do this without him holding it down for our kids every day that I’m on the road.

He stepped away from full-time work exactly 1 year ago, so I could pursue my dream of building the businesses I want to run, and believe the world needs. 

For now… this is what we need to do for our family to thrive.

I share this because traveling and building businesses can seem glamorous. And sometimes, it is.

But it also involves an enormous amount of coordination, tough decisions, and sacrifices. Especially if you are a parent or have a partner.

Whatever FOR NOW looks like for you this week, next month or the rest of this year… I wish you peace and presence to enjoy every single moment.

But also - I know how hard it all is, too. And it’s okay to say that out loud and admit it.

Back on my travel grind ✈️ 

Q4 has historically been my busiest quarter, and this year is no exception!

I’m traveling 13 of the next 19 days. 

Next up - Atlanta for Brandweek with RP3 Agency! Come find me if you’ll be there 👀 

Anyone else a road warrior this quarter?

My top tips for staying healthy while traveling during the Fall (besides getting your vaccines):

💦 3X Hydration - water, electrolytes and tea! ☕️ My fave is Throat Coat by Traditional Medicinals - an OG singers trick, if you have to talk a lot for work like I do.

💊 Vitamin Boost - New Myers IVs at Restore Hyper Wellness every other week, and green goodness from JOE & THE JUICE 💚 

💤 Rest & Recharge - I try to limit alcohol and caffeine to maximize quality sleep. Endel is my favorite app to relax and fall asleep to.

Let me know if I can catch you during my travels:

Atlanta - Nov 2-5
Austin - Nov 10-14
Boston - Nov 17-18

The advice I needed to hear from Bozoma Saint John at Brandweek yesterday:

Don’t listen to anyone.

What she said next made us all sit up and lean forward…

“They will advise based on fear. Especially the people who love you and care about you.”

Throughout my career and more recently my moves into entrepreneurship, I received plenty of unsolicited advice and opinions about the choices I was making.

And Boz is right - so much of it came from the people who care about me the most.

I didn’t listen.

Instead, at every turn - I followed my instincts, and trusted my gut.

Boz said because of this, she has such confidence in the decisions she makes - and that even when something can outwardly look like a mistake to others, it’s all part of the path that gets you to your next thing.

I have only one regret in life, which is that I never got to see Prince perform live 💜

But professional regrets? Zero.

Everything I said yes to.
Every time I trusted my instincts.
Each time I didn’t listen to anyone else.

Those are the moments and the decisions that got me to precisely where I am today.

Medtech Brand Academy

Bringing brand strategy tools, frameworks, and principles from over 20 years in the industry: manufacturer and agency experience to medtech marketers and strategists. 

Learn what your MBA didn't teach you
Lead your agencies to excellence
Launch your medtech career to the top

Founder

The Legend Effect Podcast

Creator and host - help you master the hidden forces of influence and attraction to transform from a corporate employee to legendary business owner.

Podcast Host

Legend Letters

Legend Letters. The weekly newsletter and podcast that gives you the best strategies to make your mark and live your version of legendary - in your inbox - every Sunday.

Writer, Founder

Healthy Brand Consulting

Principal, Founder

Healthy Brand with Howie Chan

The Healthy Brand with Howie Chan Podcast

Our mission is to bring you lessons, learnings and inspiration from the best and the brightest minds behind the brands that impact our health. 

You’ll learn how marketers, communicators, and business leaders have navigated their careers, united teams, built businesses, and made the decisions that shaped their company, product and personal brands.

Real Chemistry

Managing Director, Brand and Marketing Strategy

Sr. Group Director - Brand and Marketing Strategy

A member of the WCG (a W2O Group company) leadership team, leading all integrated marketing and brand strategy engagements. Clients are either emerging or re-emerging brands, looking to forge new perceptions and move the needle on their business objectives. They include start-ups and Fortune 500 companies spanning healthcare, technology and consumer.

WCG is an insights-driven marketing and communications agency that blends the science of audience architecture, the art of creative storytelling and the mastery of integrated communications to galvanize our client’s business strategy and help mobilize the audiences they care about.

Our philosophy is great people, great work. So let's find a way to work together!

Group Director - Brand and Marketing Strategy

Responsible for marketing strategy development, strategy consulting, brand positioning, brand integration, communications strategy and client relationships. 

Primary areas: Medical devices, Diagnostic equipment, Pharma, Biotech, High Tech, Start-ups

Account Director

Philips Healthcare

Global representative for all marketing and sales activities. Worked closely in a cross functional venture team to lead the gathering of customer needs and prototype development for a novel and game changing medical device. Responsible for KOL relationships and evidence strategy. Managed and drove marketing activities across Philips and partnering company in a development and commercial collaboration setting.

Strategic Marketing Director

Medtronic

Global representative for a line of defibrillators and leads. Experience in developing and executing marketing strategies, agency work in copy and visual, pricing studies, virtual team management and product development.

Global Product Marketing Manager

Responsible for managing clinical trials in four sales territories. Experience in training (physicians, nurses, sales force), customer relationship management, OR support, program management and clinical protocols.

Sr. Field Clinical Engineer

Developed and presented a model to manage a corporate research portfolio
Analyzed the Atrial Fibrillation market
Engaged in adult stem cell therapy for MI

Scientist/ Biotech Business Analyst

Led analysis efforts on a research program that focuses on delivering biological therapy for acute myocardial infarction–heart attack.

Biomedical Engineer

Singapore Armed Forces

2nd in command of an Artillery Battalion, responsible for strategy and operations. The "on the ground" leadership experience has shaped how I lead teams and influence people to bring their best.

Battalion Operations Officer

The Brand Explorer - Taking brand thinking to places it's never been :: Creator of Legend Letters, Founder of Healthy Brand Consulting

You will never lead a legendary life

So don’t tell me that

You can establish authority, attract a following, and grow your influence

Because the reality is

You’re too late and there is too much noise

And don’t ever listen to people who say

Make your mark by sharing your gift  

Because your time on Earth is limited

(Now read it backwards)

:::

I was a stem cell scientist, but I knew I was never going to be great at it.

My parents were adamant that my college education would go down the drain if I changed jobs.

I left anyway. It wasn't easy.

After a decade working for large medtech companies in multiple roles, my real transformation came when I moved to San Francisco.

In my first assignment at the agency, I worked with the managing partner and completely rebranded a multi-billion dollar company.

That was it. I was hooked.

In the next 8.5 years, I launched dozens of products and companies, leading to multiple promotions. 

When I was let go from the firm on April 2022, I was a Managing Director of Brand Strategy, working directly with clients totaling about $15M worth of business. 

I became a corporate dropout.

Now I work with organizations and individuals on how to establish authority, build attraction, and grow their influence.

My Mission: To help 1 million people live their version of legendary.
https://www.howiechan.com/

Here's how I can help you:

1) LEGEND LETTERS
The weekly newsletter that helps you influence human behavior for good using principles based on human truths (brand, persuasion, attraction)

Sign up: LegendLetters.co/subscribe

2) 60 MIN STRATEGY HOUR 
Whether it's digging into your personal brand, business brand or LinkedIn strategy, let's spend this time solving problems and kicking a$$! 

Learn more: www.howiechan.com/power-hour

Howie Chan

Words are powerful. Especially these words:

"I have to"

I have to work.
I have to post.
I have to sell.

It sounds like a chore.
It feels like pressure.

I've unknowingly used them whenever I had tasks and it made me feel a sense of dread.

And neuroscience shows that what you say to yourself, your brain responds accordingly.

So when you say "I have to", your brain activate stress circuits.

Cortisol is released and you become more reactive, more anxious, and more likely to procrastinate.

The magical switch happens when I say "I get to"

I get to write - untangle my thoughts
I get to post - show up for my audience
I get to sell - change the lives of those I serve

It changed my life. Went from grouchy to grateful, instantly.

When you say "I get to", you engage your prefrontal cortex, the part responsible for motivation and long-term vision.

You feel gratitude, not resistance.

You take action, because it’s aligned with choice, not chore.

These aren't just words.

They are neural commands and your brain is listening.

So if you feel obligated to do something, shift from "I have to" to "I get to" and see how that changes everything.

P.S. Repost if you agree!

Brand and behavior strategy for experts and companies struggling to get people to choose them.

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The Battle

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