From Scrappy Brand Manager to Strategic Fractional CMO with Natalie Swan

In this episode of Female Fractionals, host Amanda Nizzere sits down with Natalie Swan, founder of Swan and Associates, to explore what it really means to be a fractional CMO. Natalie shares her journey from scrappy brand manager in the experiential event space to running a high-touch fractional marketing firm serving B2B companies with $5M+ in revenue.

You’ll hear how she landed her first client (hint: it was her former employer), the mindset CEOs need before bringing on a fractional, and why strategy without execution is a common and costly trap. Natalie also talks about growing her business, building a lean but powerful team, and why building trust is the foundation of every successful fractional engagement.

Whether you're a fractional executive yourself, or a CEO considering hiring one, this episode offers actionable insights and permission to scale with clarity—not chaos.

👩‍💼 Guest Bio:
Natalie Swan is the founder of Swan and Associates, a fractional CMO firm that helps B2B companies turn business objectives into actionable marketing strategies. Her team works with companies doing $5M+ in annual revenue, bringing a high-touch, collaborative approach to long-term marketing leadership. Learn more at swanandassociates.co or connect with Natalie on LinkedIn.

💡 Topics Covered:

• Natalie's journey from experiential events to launching her own firm
• How she landed her first client without a full website or email list
• The difference between fractional leadership, consulting, and agency models
• What CEOs often get wrong when hiring fractionals
• Why mindset matters more than metrics in early engagements
• How Natalie built her team to stay in her zone of genius
• The value of LinkedIn recommendations and client success stories
• What to offload as a fractional to stay strategic

📚 Resources Mentioned:

• Project Management Tool: ClickUp
• Book: Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
• Connect with Natalie on LinkedIn
• Learn more: swanandassociates.co

⚡ Rapid Fire Answers:

• Productivity Hack: ClickUp for team communication and SOPs
• Fun Fact: Traveled to 6 of 7 continents (Antarctica’s next!)
• Dream Skill: Singing or visual art
• Most Used Emoji: Too many to count—but they’re SOP-approved!

🔗 Full Transcript + More Episodes:
Visit femalefractionals.com for the full transcript, past episodes, and more resources for fractional executives.