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.

No alternative text description for this image

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.

Loon

Augmented Intelligence Clinical Discovery™ and AI Evidence Synthesis

Co-Founder. COO

FERAL

Why make do when you can make way? Think Feral.


THE ANTIDOTE TO TAME THINKING
In today's cutthroat market, you either stand out or stay out. Push or perish. As a perception-influencing firm, we use the latest advances in neuroscience and behavioural economics to give audacious brands, founders, and product designers the edge they need to crush their rivals and emerge victorious.

We are a team of highly-seasoned experts with a long history of working with Fortune 50 & 500 corporations and the world's most iconic brands. We specialize in creating hard-hitting strategies for branding and positioning, as well as scaling and go-to-market strategies that give you a decisive advantage over the competition.

From naming and perception positioning to category design and identity creation, we help brands dominate the business jungle. Take control of your market, and don't settle for mediocrity or being treated like a too-small fish. You deserve top-of-the-food-chain quality and the full attention of the founder. You deserve to work founder-to-founder.


WORK
We work with series A/B/C series startups (and occasionally early stage) to help them win and lead markets through category design, identity development, perception positioning, and branding (product/brand name development, brand architecture, visual identification).

Our international expertise in strategic planning and brand fundamentals—positioning, identity, narrative—spans from series A to IPO to $SPX. We work with a broad range of ventures, from positioning VC-backed startups in crowded markets to crafting complex strategies for Fortune 50 and Fortune 500 companies.

We can consider acting as a Branding VC for certain companies with which our goals and world views are aligned. In this model, we share the risk and exchange our services for equity, either individually or by collaborating with other investors in funding rounds.

Bite off more than you can chew.
Feast like a beast.
Thrive in adversity.

Principal

Founder Institute

Mentoring and advising startups internationally in numerous chapters around the globe.

North America:
• US (SIlicon Valley, San Francisco Health Tech, New York City, Boston, Austin, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, San Diego)
• Canada (Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg)

Europe:
• Germany (Berlin, Bonn, Cologne, Frankfurt)
• Sweden (Stockholm)
• Eastern Europe (Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania)
• UK (London)

GCC:
- Dubai, UAE
- Doha, Qatar

Asia:
- Hong Kong
- Singapore

Latin America:
- Bogota, Colombia
- Lima, Peru


The Founder Institute is the world's largest pre-seed startup accelerator. Since 2009, we have helped over 4,000 startups raise over $900M and build some of the world's fastest-growing companies.

Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters in 185 cities across 70 countries, the Founder Institute's mission is to empower communities of talented and motivated people to build impactful technology companies worldwide.

Global Advisor / Mentor

Faculty of Marketing (MK-ASE)

Teaching naming branding, and category design strategies to undergraduate and graduate students at the Faculty of Marketing, Academy of Economic Studies in Romania.

Some of the feedback I received from my students:

“It was an interesting course, I understood that we need to focus on perception and target the emotional side when we brand. I understood that names should evocative and provocative, inspirational and aspirational.”

“In addition to the interesting information that Mara shared, I liked a lot her positive attitude and the fact that she focuses on the online medium.”

“I enjoyed a lot today’s course. Mara is lovely and a pleasure to listen to. One of the things I retained that all companies, products, and services need branding (including B2B ones).”

MA and University Lecturer in Branding, Marketing, Strategy

Project AR

Project AR is a start-up company with the ambition to construct and elevate augmented reality applications to the next level. Our fundamental purpose is to create the first network infrastructure which grants anyone the simplified means to build their customised and accessible AR experience.

Starting within the entertainment sector, which has frequently proved to stand at the forefront of technological development, we endeavour to grow a stronger sense of community between us and local businesses through AR gaming.

Advisory Board Member

The Home for Planners & Strategists.

The APG is a not-for-profit membership organisation that promotes smarter thinking.  

We believe in the importance of equipping planners and strategists with the training and inspiration they need to be bold and rigorous thinkers.

Run for and by its members: primarily account planners in advertising agencies, the APG, is increasingly expanding to the wider community of communications strategists, including media planners, channel planners, digital planners and DM planners.

Delegate

Newchip Accelerator

🚀 The #1 Online Accelerator
👩🏻‍💻 We provide founders with all of the tools and skills necessary to build, scale, and fund their startups.
🌍 1000+ portfolio companies
📈 1B+ Raised by Alumni

Startup Adviser / Mentor

Techstars Startup Weekend

Mentoring early-stage founders on business idea validation, customer research, and finding product-market fit. Naming, branding, positioning, and category design strategies to set tech startups on the right track to becoming market leaders.

Startup Mentor

Gossip Sip

Building the best social selling, engagement, analytics, and listening tool:

✅ Precision Targeting: search and rank people by engagement rate, bio interests, or follower numbers.

✅ User Intelligence: get actionable insights into a user's interests and topics of conversation to engage shakers and thought leaders who are constantly driving hot and engaging conversations.

✅ Engagement Statistics: get actionable insights into the conversations that matter with engagement rates and averages.

✅ Content Distribution: find who's interested in your topics and reach out to them at the right moment to promote your content.

✅ Social Listening and Brand Monitoring: see who's talking about your brand, monitor what people are saying, and analyze the brand sentiment.

✅ Post Sentiment Analysis: search your market and competitors to determine which customers are happy or unhappy with services.

Co-Founder

Medifuture Technologies

Accounts: KA University Hospital, Berts Clinic, El Raki Policlinics, Hinter Software Solutions.

Increased revenue and established a high-growth medical research start-up by creating rapid global growth strategies. 

Consulted on product marketing, pricing strategies, and project management. 

Marketing advisory for SaaS and technology products: software subscriptions, predictive modelling solutions, and medical research.

Product Marketing and Strategy Consultant

AI Biopharma Market Access Research speeding up time-to-patient • Strategy and Innovation • In a previous life: Brand Namer, Advertiser, Category Positioner • Putting the 'i' back in patents

Innovation Strategist, Advertiser, and Biosciences Commercialization Executive at Loon Inc. Harnassing Cognitive Ensemble AI Systems™ and patient-driven insights for AI Market Access Forecasting and Evidence Synthesis to streamline the commercialization of innovative medicines and drastically reduce the time-to-patient of life-saving medications.

Loon™ forecasts market access reimbursement committee decisions and conditions, offering insights to optimize submissions and value dossiers. We de-risk the commercialization and market access of drugs and medical devices to accelerate time-to-patient, at the same time helping medical innovators make their products available to patients faster and get reimbursed by payers without delay.

Loon fast-tracks evidence synthesis research (systematic literature reviews and indirect treatment comparisons) to accelerate market access and help improve patient access to novel therapeutics. The company’s patent-pending technology and agentic AI services are an industry game-changer and a win-win for all healthcare stakeholders: patients, manufacturers, regulators, and payers.

With over two decades of untamed thinking and experience in positioning, naming, and developing brand assets for Fortune 50 and Fortune 500 companies and iconic brands like Pfizer, La Roche, Glaxo, Dove, Gillette, or Heineken, I've transitioned to co-founding Loon, where I serve as the Chief of Operations and Strategy.

Having worked with global market leaders like P&G, Kraft Foods, and Unilever and being a Global Startup Mentor in tier-1 accelerators like Techstars and Founder Institute, I bring a wealth of strategic insight to revolutionize clinical research and healthcare technologies.

I welcome connections from like-minded professionals passionate about leveraging technology to redefine healthcare. Feel free to reach out and discuss collaborative possibilities focused on uncovering patient-led clinical insights and streamlining clinical evidence synthesis and analytics.

taplio

The Battle

Nora DiNuzzo

mara rada

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreNora DiNuzzo's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Nora DiNuzzo

mara rada

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Nora DiNuzzo's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreNora DiNuzzo's LinkedIn Performance