about

a marketing + communications consultant for small brands

curious at heart

My interests in a wide range of topics and passion for helping people have led me to consulting, where I can weave together my diverse experiences to produce comprehensive, cohesive and affordable solutions for small businesses, startups and nonprofits.

an imperfect perfectionist

From digging into data to editing copy, developing SEO strategies to performing user research, I have a diverse range of skills. I’m resourceful, efficient and a bit of a perfectionist. I’m passionate about social and environmental justice and seek to put my skills toward supporting clients who are building a better world.

a winding path

I’ve lived in seven cities on four continents since graduating college—I’ve lived in the jungle and the mountains, in places with a few hundred to a few million people. I’ve run an ecomm business, started a nonprofit, and even been a DJ at a radio station.

putting down roots

I’ve been living in Seattle since 2014 and call the Pacific Northwest home.

previous experience

Digital Media & Design Manager, Forterra
Communications Director, Global Mamas
Executive Director, Partners for Just Trade
Marketing Coordinator, Green America
Peace Corps Volunteer, Guatemala

education

Masters of Communication in Digital Media
University of Washington, 2018

UX Design Certification, License 1014832
Nielsen Norman Group, 2016

Bachelor of Arts in International Studies & Spanish
Ohio State University, 2001 

Carrie is knowledgeable and clear in the delivery of her work. She understands the marketplace and current trends and how to translate that to her clients' needs.

team of collaborators

Some challenges are best solved with others. After assessing your needs, if necessary I expand my team to collaborate with experts to ensure you end up with a product you love that meets—and exceeds—your expectations.

jessie angus research specialist for small businesses

At the heart of every successful marketing communication is an insight—a simple understanding that aligns company vision with public perception. With over 20 years of experience, Jessie makes the discovery of those elements possible every day. A proud holder of the Insights Professional Certification (IPC), Jessie’s abilities center on understanding human motivation, desire, and behavior to help organizations craft powerful and enduring customer experiences. Jessie designs, fields, and analyzes research studies across verticals such as public health, e-commerce, and B2B. As a company member of the Insights Association, Jessie ensures that Crowd Proof adheres to the highest research ethics, standards and competency.

natalie balthrop creative strategist for small businesses

Natalie is a creative strategist with a shrewd ability to translate the needs of organizations into effective brand strategies. Natalie develops concise, dynamic, compelling storytelling that balances audiences’ needs with strategic business objectives. Prior to working independently, she spent five years in the New York agency world focused on brand strategy and consulting. Natalie has worked at design and brand agencies both small and large, as well as a  freelance consultant and in-house brand director. Throughout her career, she has helped solve challenges for some of the world’s largest brands as well as organizations in the start-up and nonprofit spaces.

Jacob is an Emmy-nominated and three time Telly Award winning visual storyteller. His work has tens of millions of views and has been featured on everything from BuzzFeed to ESPN. He has led commercial projects for Delta Dental, branding campaigns for the University of Washington, and educational content for Microsoft.

Accomplishments aside, what really inspires him is his innate drive to help others. Jacob is committed to making a positive impact on the world and that intention shines through in all of his creative endeavors.

kory northrop web developer for small businesses

Kory has been building bespoke websites for nine years, specializing in custom WordPress themes and plugins. Always learning, he stays up-to-date with emerging developments in the field to ensure that clients are leveraging the best technologies to maintain a fast, stable, and seamless web presence. He also puts a lot of effort into making the management of websites as straightforward as possible so that clients feel empowered and at-ease when it comes time to make updates. Custom integrations with CRM software, client/patient portals, e-commerce, and social media are all on-the-table as well as anything else that can be dreamed up that utilizes React/Redux, JS, and PHP.

Nina is the founder of Sunflower Communications, a social media management and consulting service for nonprofits and impact-driven businesses. Nina helps clients clarify and streamline social content for impact and awareness, and strengthen their brand identity with results-driven strategies. She is passionate about supporting organizations and businesses that have a social, ethical or environmental focus.