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Beverly Cornell: The Accidental Entrepreneur Fueling Small Business Growth Through Strategic Marketing

Beverly Cornell: The Accidental Entrepreneur Fueling Small Business Growth Through Strategic Marketing

From a young age, Beverly Cornell had an innate fascination with communication, connection, and the power of storytelling. Her early passion for singing jingles was an indication of Beverly’s natural creative flair and her instinctive grasp of how messaging can shape perceptions. This penchant for self-expression planted the first seeds of her lifelong journey toward leading success in strategic marketing and business growth.   

A Force of Nature in Marketing

Described by colleagues as a “director of awesome,” Beverly brings contagious enthusiasm, bold vision, and refreshing creative perspectives to the table. Her illustrious career is proof of her multifaceted talents, spanning diverse sectors, companies, tools, and technologies across a period of remarkable change in the marketing landscape.   

Born in Alabama and raised in Michigan, she later lived in North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Spain and Brazil. These formative global experiences instilled within her a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and communication styles. She shares, “Exposure to different cultures and lifestyles has broadened my perspective and deepened my understanding of human behavior, preferences, and communication styles.”   

Armed with an educational foundation encompassing associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration and communications, Beverly also obtained professional certifications that would prove pivotal, including earning Master Certification through the renowned Sandler Sales Training. Beverly leveraged her interpersonal strengths and passion for engagement to progressively excel across various marketing roles.    

As Traffic Coordinator at global auto giant Chrysler’s advertising agency, Beverly managed astounding budgets. This first professional role provided an eye-opening look at the power of marketing on a grand scale, handling promotion initiatives and events representing over a billion dollars at Chrysler’s iconic global headquarters. Navigating such staggering budgets and promotions in this pressure-cooker corporate role offered invaluable experience that would pay dividends for Beverly’s burgeoning career.   

However, Beverly credits her most transformational professional growth to an unexpected opportunity at a fledgling startup. Joining a small, innovative language-learning software company as Marketing Director, her strategies, which centered on fun, passion, and authentic engagement, proved to be game-changing.   

Leveraging creative digital marketing tactics alongside memorable offline branding materials, Beverly propelled their meteoric rise from $1 million to $10 million in sales within three years. Beverly recalls this era as “fueled by a combination of innovative strategies and a passionate team dedicated to making a difference.” While humble about her influence, there is no doubt her creative direction and branding genius acted as the linchpin for this remarkable ascent.   

Guiding Entrepreneurs to Success

After over 15 successful years in marketing roles, the allure of flexibility and fulfillment attracted Beverly to make the leap toward entrepreneurship in 2011. Triggers included a desire for professional autonomy given a transient lifestyle and witnessing marketing gaps she felt compelled to fill. Beverly channeled her bold vision and wealth of expertise into establishing Beverly Cornell Consulting.   

Within a few years, accelerating demand led to expansion. In 2020, the consultancy rebranded as BC & Associates Marketing to reflect its growth as a small business marketing agency with a full-fledged diverse team united by a shared commitment to simplifying marketing for clients. It’s crafted for busy small business owners looking to grasp authentic messaging and strategies, blending actionable advice with motivational insights.    

BC & Associates Marketing alleviates clients’ marketing headaches through their signature Brand Spark process providing custom growth blueprints followed by their Brand Ignite system for intensive execution. Beverly explains that customization and collaboration are vital to offering relevant solutions for diverse business challenges.    

Their focus rests on empowering clients with actionable plans paired with accountability. “We proudly call ourselves stress-free strategists.” A key element of Beverly’s approach is to view marketing as an ongoing journey. She guides clients through continuous cycles of goal-setting, execution, measurement and adaptation to nurture impactful transformations rather than quick fixes.    

The Ripple Effects of Her Contributions

Beverly has made a name for herself as a leader, mentor, and expert in strategic marketing for entrepreneurs. Through her bestselling book, engaging podcast, and popular workshops, she breaks down complex marketing concepts into clear, actionable advice, drawing on real-world examples and strategies that have proven effective.   

Her book, “ Marketing For Entrepreneurs, The Quick Guide To Spark & Ignite Your Marketing ,” has offered practical, real-world marketing insights for entrepreneurs. It’s crafted for busy small business owners looking to grasp effective messaging and strategies, blending actionable advice with motivational insights.   

In February 2023, Beverly launched the “ Spark & Ignite Your Marketing ” podcast, which directly shares successful entrepreneurs’ business journeys and marketing advice. Her goal is to foster a sense of inspiration and growth within the small business community by sharing honest entrepreneurial stories.   

Her achievements have been recognized with several industry awards, including Rochester’s Best Marketing Consultant 2022 and Woman Of The Year 2012, among others. Beyond her consulting work, Beverly has contributed her expertise to various boards and initiatives, such as Detroit’s Marketing and Sales Executives, the International Visitors Council of Detroit, and the Stephen Ministry at her church, offering support to those facing life’s challenges.     

As the Marketing Chairperson for Automation Alley, she was key in providing marketing tools and education to support the growth of member companies. She is also certified by the U.S. Army as a teacher for communication and team-building skills through The Army Family Team Building program, instructing soldiers, spouses, and commanders.   

Wisdom for Marketing Success

Reflecting on her impressive journey, Beverly points to authenticity, self-trust and boldness as indispensable elements for sustainable success as an entrepreneur and marketer. She believes fearlessness to stand apart from convention fuels transformative brands and careers.   

In Beverly’s view, the essence of navigating the dynamic landscape of marketing and business growth lies in perpetual learning and adaptability. “Based on my extensive experience in marketing and business growth,” she emphasizes, “my advice to entrepreneurs and marketers just starting in their careers would be to never stop learning and adapting.”   

She highlights the importance of staying curious, open-minded, and proactive amidst the ever-evolving world of marketing. “The world of marketing is constantly evolving,” she notes, “with new technologies, trends, and consumer behaviors emerging all the time. Therefore, it’s essential to stay curious, open-minded, and proactive in seeking out opportunities for growth and development.”   

“Embrace a growth mindset,” she urges, “and be willing to continuously educate yourself on the latest industry developments, tools, and strategies. Invest in ongoing professional development through courses, workshops, conferences, and networking events to expand your knowledge and skill set.”   

She encourages marketers to embrace creativity, take risks, and think innovatively. “Don’t be afraid to take risks and think outside the box,” she advises. “The most successful marketing campaigns often stem from creativity, innovation, and daring to be different.”   

Moreover, Beverly highlights the significance of fostering genuine connections and relationships with the audience. “Focus on understanding your target market,” she suggests, “listening to their needs, and creating meaningful experiences that resonate with them on a personal level.”   

Finally, she stresses the value of building a supportive network of mentors, colleagues, and peers who can offer guidance, inspiration, and constructive feedback. Encouraging collaboration, knowledge sharing, and leveraging the collective wisdom of your network can propel your career forward.   

In summary, Beverly asserts, “It all boils down to embracing a mindset of lifelong learning, creativity, authenticity, and collaboration. Entrepreneurs and marketers can set themselves up for success in their careers and make a meaningful impact in the dynamic world of marketing and business growth.”   

The Editorial Team

The Editorial Team

Hi there, we're the editorial team at WomELLE. We offer resources for business and career success, promote early education and development, and create a supportive environment for women. Our magazine, "WomLEAD," is here to help you thrive both professionally and personally.

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