Stacie Sussman

CRO l We're the all-star team that'll actually increase your bottom line revenue l Business Strategy l Operations l Sales l Marketing l Revenue Growth

After 17 years in media sales, I thought success meant grinding harder and steering the ship alone.

Then I looked around at the CROs I admired—brilliant, well-paid executives who looked… haggard. Burnt out. Like they’d lost their spark somewhere between board meetings and impossible targets.

That’s when it hit me: the system was broken. And I’d lived it.

I spent those 17 years running into obstacles that shouldn’t have existed, feeling like a one-woman show when sales should have been a team sport. I watched talented leaders march in place, trying the same patch-job solutions while the real problems—misaligned departments, broken attribution, CROs and CMOs working against each other—went unfixed.

For the past 7+ years, my team and I have been fixing foundations, not symptoms.

At RevUp Advisory, we take B2B businesses from duct-taped growth to marketing and sales alignment that actually works. We create cohesion between departments that have been at war, align everything with executive vision, and build operational excellence that turns chaos into consistent revenue.

Here’s the truth: we often rip out bad consulting work first. Everyone says they can drive more sales. But saying it and delivering sustainable results? Two very different things.

The transformation? Those scathing emails from bosses stop coming. Pipeline reports finally line up. Attribution makes sense. And instead of being seen as “that hopeless department,” you’re respected as the strategic partner you always were.

Because here’s what I’ve learned: companies should work smarter, not harder. And when you fix the foundation instead of patching the cracks, everyone gets their spark back.

Ready to stop the patch-jobs and actually scale? 

Let’s talk: stacie@revupadvisory.com

CRO - Revenue - Sales - Marketing - Operations - Business Strategy - Growth Plans - Customer Journey - Salesforce - HubSpot - Enablement - Training - OKRs - KPIs - Tech Stack - Pipeline - Forecasting - Sales Operations - Marketing Operations - Revenue Operations- B2B - Founders - CRO - CMO - CRM  - Pricing - Revenue Modeling - Sales Funnel - Marketing Funnel - Customer Success - Foundational Structure - ICP - CAC - LTVC - ARR - MRR - Fundraising - Leadership Consulting - Management Consulting - Sales Coaching - Compensation Planning - Workshops - Training - AI Agents - Process Optimizations - Flows - Automations - Tech Stack

Founding Member

The Upside is a curated, global community for consultants and industry experts.

Yesterday was International Women’s Day.
I spent mine at my first hackathon, n a swanky Miami tech office, laptop open, a few business cards in my pocket, not knowing a single person in the room.

I’d seen that Lovable was hosting SheBuilds events globally and thought, “Why not show up?” 

So I drove over an hour on a Sunday to do exactly that.

What happened next? I got to build alongside engineering legends and AI innovators. I had conversations about the sustainability of AI that stretched my thinking. I met women who were creating, sharing, collaborating and genuinely lifting each other up.

I have a motto in life and in work. ABL—Always Be Learning.

If I’m going to help my clients navigate what AI and emerging tech mean for their marketing and sales systems, I can’t just read about it or theorize from the sidelines. I need to get my hands dirty. I need to understand how these tools actually work, what’s possible, and where the gaps are.

So yesterday, I built a marketing engine diagnostic using Lovable’s vibe coding platform. 

Is it perfect? Absolutely not. But it’s real, it’s functional, and it represents what I believe. You can’t connect the dots for others if you’re not willing to connect them for yourself first.

This work and these platforms are changing how businesses operate. 

The CMOs and revenue leaders I partner with are facing these shifts every single day. My job isn’t to have all the answers. It’s to show up, learn alongside them, and bring back what I discover in the field.

That’s the commitment. That’s the work.

Grateful for the incredible humans I met yesterday. 

Grateful for Thalía Diedrick  and the GoTu Team for hosting. And grateful to the Loveable team for building tools that make this kind of exploration possible.

And lastly there’s a Link to our marketing engine  diagnostic in the comments. 

CC: Noelle R.

RevUp Advisory | We fix broken systems so CMOs can prove ROI | Systems & Revenue Alignment l AI Acceleration l Podcast Host, C-Suite Strategies

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This week, I judged Harvard Business School’s 6th annual pitch competition for the South Florida Alumni Angels. 

4 presentations back-to-back showed me exactly what separates founders who get funded from those who don’t.

First pitch: The founder owned that room. Knew her numbers cold. Answered tough questions without flinching. Her deck told a clear story, and she made eye contact with every single judge. When we asked about competitors? She rattled off three and explained exactly why her approach was different. Her financials weren’t just pretty slides—they actually made sense.

Confidence wasn’t arrogance—it was preparation meeting opportunity.

Next pitch: Brilliant subject matter experts. Solid tech. But they were reading off notes, couldn’t hide their nerves, and when we offered feedback? You could feel the resistance. Their competitive analysis was thin, and the financial projections felt more like wishful thinking than strategic planning.

Here’s the thing about pitch competitions—judges give feedback whether you want it or not. That’s literally the point.

The gap between these two wasn’t talent or even the quality of their ideas.

It was readiness.

If you’re going to compete for funding, here’s what “ready” actually looks like…

• Know your story arc cold. Problem, Market, Solution, Team, Traction. In that order. No stumbling.
• Your financials need to make sense. Not aspirational math—actual strategic projections we can believe in.
• Research your competitive landscape. Know who else is playing in your space and why you’re different. Saying “we have no competitors” is a red flag.
• Your deck is visually clean and your narrative is tight. No mental gymnastics required for judges to follow along.
• Show traction. Even early MVP wins matter. Revenue matters more.
• Be open to feedback. Especially when it stings. That’s how you get better.
The founders who get this? They don’t just present well. They make you want to write the check.

If you’re gearing up for a pitch competition, don’t just apply and hope for the best. 

Get pitch-deck ready first. The difference shows up in the room, and it shows up in the outcomes.

It was a pleasure to meet you: Sertaç Oral, Tupa Gomes, Antonio Vasaiely and Danilo "Danny" Castillo.

I left at the top of my sales game because I was winning at the wrong thing. 

PIcture this…I was crushing it in Manhattan sales. Big brands. High-paid role. Racing between Midtown and the Lower East Side, Tribeca to Soho and back again—subway tracks were my office. 

From the outside? I was winning.

But here’s what nobody saw, I was being measured on outcomes I couldn’t fully control.

I’d pitch programs I knew were wrong for the client. 

Quote pricing I knew was too high to close. 

Chase business from clients I knew were bad bill payers. 

And when things didn’t work out? 
When I didn’t hit quota? 

It wasn’t because I failed, it was because the SYSTEM was broken.

I could see exactly what needed fixing…

The pricing strategy that was killing deals
The program offerings that didn’t match market needs
The client vetting process that set us up to fail
The operational chaos that made everyone’s job harder

But I “only had control over so much.”

So I’d speak up. “I have ideas about how to fix this.”

And I’d hear some version of, “That’s not your job. Just focus on your quota.”

Here’s what I finally realized, I wasn’t failing. I was succeeding at something too small for what I was capable of doing. 

I didn’t leave because I couldn’t hit numbers. I left because I wanted to build something where FIXING THE FOUNDATION was the whole point—not a side conversation nobody wanted to have.

That’s why I built RevUp Advisory. Because CMOs and revenue leaders deserve a partner who doesn’t just help them hit their numbers within broken systems—but actually FIXES the systems so success becomes sustainable.

You don’t have to keep playing someone else’s game by someone else’s rules.

Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is build the game you were meant to play all along.

Quick question, when’s the last time you Googled yourself? Now here’s the better question.When’s the last time you asked an AI about yourself?

Because your buyers aren’t just Googling anymore. 

They’re asking ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity—and getting synthesized answers before they ever visit a website.

And if you’re not showing up in those answers? 

You don’t exist in their consideration set.

I recorded this quick episode for every B2B leader who’s been following our SEO → AEO conversation on our podcast, C-Suitr Strategies. 

Listen to it. Watch it. Then actually DO what I’m asking.

Because what you’re about to discover isn’t just a marketing problem—it’s an attribution crisis that’s making your dark funnel even darker.

Listen to our 15 minute solo episode and let me know what you find.

And yeah, if you’re driving… keep going but do this later. I’m serious.

So you tested it. You asked the AI tools about your company, your category, your competitors.

Now here’s the question that matters…

Why did some names show up… and others didn’t?
It’s not random. And it’s not just about who has the best SEO.

AI-powered answer engines use completely different criteria to decide whose content gets cited. 

And if you’re still optimizing for the old SEO playbook? You’re invisible.

In this video, I break down what answer engines are actually looking for—and why keywords alone won’t cut it anymore.

This is where it gets interesting.

(And yes, my nerdy brain is very excited about this. You’ve been warned.)

Listen to our full episode below for more details.

Purple Peak Marketing

Independent marketing advisor with a focus on growing sales, profit, and distribution for food brands, ranging from emerging and funded to global CPG, through branding, consumer research, market and competitor analysis, product development, and communications.

Adept in the commercialization of innovation from ideas to launch, including consumer validation, packaging development, and customer sell-in.

Offer 1:1 advisory sessions and business audits. Able to serve as interim marketing team resource, with P&L ownership capability, for short and long-term leaves. 

Clients: Ocean Spray, Divine Chocolate, Zitner’s, Candy Corp.

SCRIBO Writing

Communications expert that excels at writing and editing business copy that informs and persuades target audiences through clear, concise messaging and elevates the reputation and credibility of clients.

Services: proposals, emails, case studies, resumes, cover letters, etc.

Clients: All management levels, including C-suite and VPs; start-ups and SME; consultants; job seekers in all industries.

Writer | Editor | Ghostwriter

EF College Study Tours

- Reset marketing strategy, overhauled messaging and creative to build excitement and awareness, and lowered overall spend, by refining consumer facing materials including: emails, direct mail, print, web site, paid digital ads, conference assets, and sales collateral.
- Streamlined sales funnel process resulting in a: YOY marketing spend decrease, reduction in cost per lead, more qualified leads, and a higher conversion rate.

Vice President Marketing and Customer Experience

Lindt & Sprüngli (USA) Inc.

- Achieved 10% growth and improved gross profit 2.3pts. 
- Briefed and led advertising, social media, public relations and creative teams to execute the Easter national support plan, which resulted in a 43% increase in impressions while reducing CPM by 30%. 
- Partnered with Sales to develop seasonal selling story for total portfolio and new product launches, and attended sales calls to top national retailers, Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens and CVS.  
- Designed and executed multiple research projects to help shape strategic plans for product development, advertising and consumer promotion.

Brand Manager, Easter

Lindt & Sprüngli Australia

- Created integrated launch plan for new LINDOR flavor, Strawberries & Cream, including new product development, TV commercial with Lindt brand ambassador Roger Federer, sampling, social media, POS and trade kit. Largest LINDOR flavor product launch in Lindt Australia’s history.
- Developed print ad and PR event for Christmas 2013. Directed 3-page advertorial in Women’s Weekly, Australia’s largest magazine. 
- Introduced new ideas from the US, including how to improve new product development process to increase efficiency, sampling opportunities outside of traditional in-store programs to increase household penetration, and new communication tools to improve relations between Marketing and Sales.

Brand Manager, LINDOR

- Generated growth in sales and increase in profit, overseeing the largest business segment within LINDOR, the largest franchise at Lindt.
- Partnered with Lindt Switzerland and Italy to develop Caramel, the largest single product launch ever at LindtUSA and recipient of the National Confectionary Sales Association 2013 New Product Award.
- Developed new recipes for product line extension: directed R&D for Vanilla and Sea Salt.
- Managed TV and digital advertising, including display and search advertising, and social media campaigns to support key holiday consumption periods. Exceeded benchmarks 100% while staying within budget.

- Led cross-functional team of packaging engineers, purchasing, manufacturing and graphic designers to launch entirely new Valentine's Day product portfolio for 2011 season to target key price points, capitalize on growing segments, improve gift-ability and create cohesive brand look on shelf as a result of researching and analyzing category trends, consumer and retailer needs and competitive developments in the marketplace. Increased sales and profitability and Nielsen POS for 2011 season.
- Created sales presentations with recommended product portfolios and expected sales, and attended sales calls to top national retailers, Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens and CVS, among others.

Associate Brand Manager - Valentine's Day

Associate Brand Manager - Christmas

Marketing Intern

Dunkin' Brands

Evaluated ice cream industry, benchmarked competition, and conducted primary and secondary research to deliver market strategy recommendation for Toronto, Canada market for Baskin-Robbins’ International Brand and Menu Strategy team. Recommendations were subsequently executed.

MBA Student Consultant

Zoots Dry Cleaning

- Developed strategy and managed corporate marketing initiatives including new store openings, acquisitions, new service offerings, and corporate partnerships.
- Oversaw collateral development and production of marketing materials, including vendor negotiation.
- Managed media planning and buying.

Marketing Manager

As a kid, I had an insatiable sweet tooth. I loved going to the penny candy store and walking out with a bag full of candy and snacks, which is why I now work with snack and confection brands. My sweet tooth led me to a 10-year career in brand management at Lindt, managing everyday and seasonal businesses, where I led two 7-figure product launches, the largest in company history. One of these products won the National Confectioners Association New Product of the Year, and the 360-degree campaign that accompanied the launch set the bar for all new product launches that followed at Lindt.

As an innovation and product marketing expert, I find the white space to grow sales, profit, and distribution. I am adept at commercialization, bringing products from concept to launch, including briefing, consumer validation, and packaging development. I partner with and speak the language of sales teams to ensure customer sell-in. 

Sometimes you can’t read the ingredients from inside the jar, so you need a collaborative, innovative thinker and strategic marketer to help you. I excel at bringing organization from chaos. If you’re ready for significant, positive change, you’ve found your “winning golden ticket” with me.

Brands/Client Experience:
- Lindt & Sprungli
- BJ's Wholesale Club (private label)
- Ocean Spray
- Divine Chocolate
- Zitner’s Chocolates

Skills & Specialties
- Business Performance Analysis
- Portfolio Management and P&L Ownership
- Market & Competitor Analysis
- Consumer Insights
- Recipe & Product Development
- Sales & Distribution Strategy
- Vendor & Agency Management
- Cross-functional and Team Leadership

DM me or email me at karen@purplepeakmarketing.com.

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Stacie Sussman

Karen Anderson

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