i called it “anxious.marketer” because it’s funny and true

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the world around me makes me feel different things every day. one day it’s hope, beauty, and appreciation, the other - it’s fear, disappointment, and derealisation.

is it the same for you?

as changemakers, we see so many ways to make this place better, but let’s be honest - we’re also anxious and hesitant about the impact we can make.

hi, I’m Elena. an anxious marketer turned purpose-driven Fractional CMO.

i’m in endless awe of people who bring beautiful, meaningful change. they come up with great new ideas that are beyond me, new products and tools i’d never think possible, new methodologies, and new ways for a better life.

my purpose is to provide these changemakers with the best possible marketing advice and services to give them a fighting chance against big budgets and old corporations.

i’m a marketer and an educator. born in Russia, based in Portugal.

not a genius scientist. not someone who can cure endometriosis or solve climate change. but i can help the people who are trying.

i’ve been in global marketing for over 10 years - since i received my MSc in Marketing at HEC Paris. i ran B2B campaigns at big corporations like Dynata and Kaspersky, did three years as a regional marketing lead at Starbucks, worked with various startups in healthtech and edtech. i learned a lot, delivered a lot, but something was always missing. meaning. purpose.

then my daughter was born. and suddenly that feeling of futility couldn’t be ignored anymore.

so now i focus on things that matter. startups, changemakers, causes, people fighting for a better world. i use what i’ve learned from big brands to help them get a fighting chance - to get seen, to make a difference.

who am i?

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A woman with long, wavy blonde hair sitting at a small round table in a cafe, using a laptop. The table has a glass of water with mint and a latte with foam art. Behind her are potted plants and magazines on a shelf.
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you don’t need a full-scale marketing team right away. here’s how we can work together:

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fractional CMO

true ownership and quick wins without investing in a permanent hire

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specific project

when something important is on the horizon and you need a senior marketing leader

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ongoing consultancy

on-hand for a few hours, acting as your trusted advisor

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three for free

come and ask questions. three 60 min sessions are yours for free. really.

schedule a life-changing chat

 FAQs

  • basically - i’m your part-time marketing lead. you get senior-level strategy, direction, and execution without committing to a full-time hire.

    i help you figure out what matters, build the plan, and make sure your marketing actually moves your business forward (not just makes a pretty deck for investors). think of it as having a CMO - but only for the hours you actually need one.

  • i choose to work with climate tech, femtech, and mission-led businesses - the ones trying to fix systems, not just sell products.

    if your brand is doing something that makes the world tangibly better - i’m in.

    whether you’re pre-Series A or mid-scale, my sweet spot is helping you translate purpose into positioning - so your message lands, your audience cares, and your investors see the commercial path forward.

  • here’s what we’ll do together, depending on your stage:

    • clarify your marketing strategy and brand story.

    • map your go-to-market or launch plan.

    • define who your customer actually is — and how to reach them.

    • build your first marketing engine (the one that doesn’t collapse under growth).

    • create campaigns, systems, and messaging that scale with your mission.

    • help you understand what to prioritize now, and what can wait until later.

    in short: i give your marketing direction, focus, and purpose - not just activity.

  • that depends on what you need:

    • fractional CMO: i act as your part-time marketing lead - setting strategy, mentoring your team, managing projects, and building your roadmap.

    • project-based: we focus on one key thing - like your rebrand, launch, or investor campaign.

    • advisory / coaching: you get me on speed-dial for big decisions, quick feedback, or when you just need a marketing grown-up to sanity-check your plan

    and yes - it’s all flexible, remote-friendly, and built around your current stage (and budget).

  • i believe in being transparent about pricing - so no mysterious “let’s jump on a call to discuss budget” energy here.

    since i’m based in Portugal, my rates reflect Portuguese-level pricing, not Silicon Valley or London ones. you’re getting senior-level strategic marketing expertise - but without the inflated “big city” hourly rate.

    here’s how it usually works:

    • advisory calls / short-term consulting: €120–€150/hour

    • fractional CMO retainers: from €2,000/month, depending on scope and hours

    • project-based support (e.g. go-to-market plan, rebrand, launch): usually €2,500–€6,000 depending on deliverables and timeline

    early-stage or mission-led startup? let’s talk. i sometimes adjust my pricing or design smaller “starter packages” for founders who are still finding their footing - because meaningful work shouldn’t only be for teams with big budgets.

  • not at all. in fact, this is when the right strategy matters most.

    i love working with early-stage founders who know their mission but aren’t sure how to tell the story or prioritise their marketing. we’ll start small — think 90-day roadmap, clear priorities, and systems that grow with you.

    basically: i’ll help you get unstuck before you spend money on things you don’t need yet.

  • usually within 2–3 weeks. i only work with a small number of clients at a time so i can actually focus (and not just nod through Zoom calls).

    the process starts with a short intro call - we’ll see where you are, what you need, and if it’s a good fit. then we build from there.

ready?

let’s be awkward & professional together.

you bring the mission, i’ll bring the marketing plan, and we’ll make your purpose make sense - to the people who need to hear it most.

now, tell me what you’re working on ->