I’m AJ D’Andrea — a Fractional CMO, brand strategist, and creative director who’s spent the last several years helping businesses bring their ideas to life through smart marketing, content, and execution that actually works.
My journey started in 2018, when I landed my first marketing opportunity at just 18 years old, helping a small business in my local area. That project changed how I saw everything — I realized how powerful good marketing could be in transforming a business. From there, I went on to build websites, create promotional videos, and support a range of local brands across different industries.
When tough times hit in 2020, I used the same principles I had applied for clients to build my own business — a music studio. What started as a creative side hustle turned into a full-time operation. We opened our doors during lockdown, grew fast, and quickly had to expand from one location to another just to keep up with demand. By 2023, we had hosted some of the area’s most talked-about post-2020 events — all fueled by grassroots marketing, video content, and a strong community vibe.
Even though the studio was thriving, I eventually stepped away — not because it failed, but because I felt the pull to return to what I truly loved: building brands, not just businesses. I wanted the freedom to move, explore, and help more people bring their visions to life beyond one location.
Marketing, to me, isn’t just a service — it’s a craft. I love being part of someone’s story, helping them go from idea to execution, and seeing their wins as my wins. Whether I’m creating visuals, crafting a strategy, or just being in the room, I give it everything. This is what I’d do even if money wasn’t a factor — it’s just who I am.
One of my proudest moments? Helping a small taco shop with limited resources transform into a full-fledged restaurant — from a quiet opening to packed tables and a thriving local following. Seeing that journey unfold is why I do what I do.
Ideas is the space where I share pieces of that process — the real-time thinking behind campaigns, strategies, and brand moves. It’s where you’ll see how creative direction and structured execution come together — and hopefully, where you’ll find ideas to help push your own vision forward.
