As a founder, you’ve built something real. You’ve hustled through startup mode, found product-market fit, maybe opened new locations or expanded your reach. But now, things feel… stuck. Or chaotic. Or both.
This is where many founders hit a critical inflection point — marketing becomes too important to wing, but not quite ready for a full-time CMO hire.
Here are five signs you might need a Fractional CMO:
1. You’re the “default” head of marketing
You're reviewing ad creatives between investor calls. You're rewriting emails at night. You're greenlighting promos without any real strategy. It’s not sustainable, and it’s not the best use of your time as a founder.
A Fractional CMO steps in to lead marketing, so you can lead the company.
2. Your marketing feels like “random acts”
You’ve got social posts, ads, maybe a few email blasts. But none of it feels connected. There’s no plan, no feedback loop, and no clear sense of what’s actually working.
Fractional CMOs create structure and turn chaos into strategy.
3. You’re testing channels, but seeing weak ROI
You’ve tried Meta ads, influencers, email, loyalty apps, and agencies… but nothing sticks. You’re bleeding cash without traction.
A Fractional CMO will cut waste, align spend with goals, and build systems that compound.
4. Your brand isn’t standing out anymore
Your offer is solid, your product is great — but your brand’s not breaking through. You’re stuck in the middle of the pack, and competitors are grabbing mindshare.
A strong CMO builds positioning that sticks, and a brand that customers feel.
5. You need strategy, but can’t afford full-time leadership
A full-time CMO can run $300-500K+ in salary and benefits. Most emerging brands just aren’t there yet.
Fractional CMOs bring senior leadership at a fraction of the cost — and often deliver bigger returns.
You don’t need more busy work or marketing band-aids.
You need leadership — someone who knows how to drive growth, clarify your message, and make sure every dollar moves the business forward.
I'm Justin Egan, fractional CMO and Co-Founder of Wing It On!, successfully guiding the brand from startup to acquisition. With over 20 years of marketing leadership experience at Fortune 500 companies and innovative startups, I specialize in helping visionary founders turn creative ideas into measurable marketing success.
Let's connect and collaborate — find me on LinkedIn to start the conversation.
