Strategic business partner to women entrepreneurs
Former corporate marketing executive helping women-led businesses clarify their value and build momentum.
Who I am
Hi, I'm Laura Garofalo. I help women entrepreneurs communicate their value in a way that actually drives business growth—not just visibility, but real opportunities, clients, and revenue.
How I got here
I started in public relations, where I learned how narratives shape perception, reputation drives revenue, and attention is earned. From there, I moved into business development and senior marketing roles, where I saw how positioning, messaging, content, and thought leadership must work together to influence buying decisions—not just make the brand look good. I’ve:
Qualified thousands of companies and opportunities
Worked on dozens of clients across multiple growth stages and industries
Built content engines from the ground up
Managed pipelines and new business opportunities
Led rebrands and thought leadership campaigns
Optimized marketing and sales systems
What I do now
For nearly a decade, I supported a woman founder—helping her build and grow a business in a competitive industry. I saw firsthand what it takes to lead, make decisions, and drive growth when the business depends on you.
That experience shaped how I think about this work.
When I left corporate and started my own company, Professional Banter LLC, I initially focused on professional services firms—helping people who sell knowledge and time position themselves as experts. Because that’s my experience.
But then I noticed a pattern:
I kept meeting women entrepreneurs building cool businesses who felt stuck when it came to marketing themselves. They were overthinking content, defaulting to tactics that didn’t match their goals, and trying to figure everything out on their own.
Women are starting businesses at a faster rate than any other group—and they’re often doing it without the kind of strategic marketing and business development support I’ve spent 15+ years building. That’s why this work feels so important right now. It’s where my experience is most needed, and where I’m meant to focus in this next chapter of my career.
Why hire me?
My goal is simple: help you get clear on what to say, confident about where to show up, and intentional about how you grow. I’m not here to overwhelm you with jargon or overengineered strategies. I focus on what works, what matters, and what moves your business forward. If you’re looking for a thoughtful, strategic partner—someone who can both challenge your thinking and support your execution—I’d love to hear from you.
How I can help
I help women entrepreneurs make sense of their experience and turn it into clear positioning, focused offers, and marketing that feels authentic to them.
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Be known for the right things by the right people.
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Speak clearly about what you do and make it relevant.
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Find new ways to monetize your experience.
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Know exactly who you are communicating to and engaging with.
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Build a marketing rhythm you can actually maintain.
Your Questions, Answered
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I work with solo entrepreneurs building businesses on their own, as well as founders who have teams of employees. Most of my clients are service-based professionals selling their knowledge and time, not products.
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Many of the women I work with are in early stages of building a business and not ready for ongoing support. If that’s you, my one-time offerings are a good place to start. Growth Gut Check sessions and Marketing Foundation Plans are designed to give you clarity, direction, and immediate next steps without the commitment.
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“Thought leadership” is a marketing term for someone who has built credibility and visibility around their expertise. You don’t need to label yourself a thought leader to succeed. The real focus is building authority—being clearly known for what you do and trusted for how you think.
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I use AI as a thinking partner in the following ways:
Perplexity – for industry research and SWOT analysis
NotebookLM – to synthesize notes from client questionnaires and calls
Hemingway Editor – to identify grammar and readability issues (not for writing content)
Claude Artifacts – to mock up design ideas before building in Canva
I do not input sensitive client information into AI tools, and I’ve configured my settings to avoid data sharing where possible.
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We can do whatever works for you. This includes scheduled strategy calls, ad hoc video calls, email, and text. I also use Loom for async video updates and walkthroughs, which helps reduce unnecessary meetings while keeping the momentum going.
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Payments are accepted via Zelle, Venmo, or check.
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That’s great to hear! I frequently work alongside existing teams as a strategic partner, especially during inflection points where clearer positioning, messaging, or direction is needed. While I’m not a fractional CMO, I’m open to opportunities that are a fit for my expertise.
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I occasionally bring in trusted specialists for areas outside my core focus, particularly media relations and paid campaigns. This isn’t standard for every project, but I do it when it improves the outcome for the client.