Blog

I Almost Walked Away from Marketing. Here's What Changed My Mind.

alexis@marketingmanallc.com (Alexis Skigen Rago) — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 18:50:56 GMT

There have been times in my marketing career when I questioned my gift so much that I considered leaving marketing altogether.

Honoring the Past, Reimagining Connection: Lessons from a Sukkah Festival in North Lawndale

alexis@marketingmanallc.com (Alexis Skigen Rago) — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 17:42:50 GMT

Last weekend, I attended a Sukkah Festival in North Lawndale—a celebration that beautifully bridged cultures, faiths, and history.

THE REAL COST OF LOSING A CUSTOMER

alexis@marketingmanallc.com (Alexis Skigen Rago) — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 21:20:58 GMT

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿.

WHAT DO YOU REALLY MEAN BY 'BRANDING'?

alexis@marketingmanallc.com (Alexis Skigen Rago) — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 17:58:21 GMT

What do you really mean by 'branding'?

WHAT DO YOU REALLY MEAN BY 'MARKETING'?

alexis@marketingmanallc.com (Alexis Skigen Rago) — Wed, 21 May 2025 22:29:57 GMT

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝘆 '𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴'?

6 Key Lessons from the Entrepreneurial Journey of My INCubatoredu Team

alexis@marketingmanallc.com (Alexis Skigen Rago) — Fri, 09 May 2025 21:36:47 GMT

I looked down the row, watching my team put on brave faces as they nervously sat, waiting to hear if they would be the final wild card team and have the chance to present on stage. The tension was thick, and you could feel the uncertainty in the air. They hustled the tradeshow floor to get votes, they ran through the latest version of their presentation in the Green Room several times throughout Pitch Night so they would be their best if they were called.

Unboxing the Truth: What Barbie Taught Me About Brand Clarity

alexis@marketingmanallc.com (Alexis Skigen Rago) — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 22:09:00 GMT

You may have seen my latest social media post featuring Marketing Mana Barbie—a playful spin on the AI Barbie-in-a-Box trend.

The Clash of Theory and Reality: Lessons from The 5 AM Club

alexis@marketingmanallc.com (Alexis Skigen Rago) — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 21:06:29 GMT

THE CHALLENGE OF REALITY

Have you ever heard about a program that promises to transform your business, but as you learn the approach, you wonder “How will this work in real life?” That was my reaction when I started implementing The 5 AM Club.

2024 YEAR IN REVIEW: STELLAR OR NOT?

alexis@marketingmanallc.com (Alexis Skigen Rago) — Fri, 03 Jan 2025 22:45:18 GMT

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗱?

Cult or Community?

alexis@marketingmanallc.com (Alexis Skigen Rago) — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 18:48:49 GMT

Cult or community? Sometimes, it's a fine line.

Recently, I was checking out at Trader Joe’s when the person behind me noticed my University of Michigan hat and said "Ohhhh, you went to Michigan?".

My immediate, somewhat surprising response was, “Is there a problem here?”

I didn’t know if they were associated with a rival who lost this past Thanksgiving, and it just slipped out before I realized it.

We paused and then she shared about an upcoming family wedding in Ann Arbor. We left on warm terms, and as I walked out, I wondered why I reacted that way. Usually, when someone spots my UM hat, we exchange a proud “Go Blue,” share a knowing smile, and feel an instant bond. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you came from, the moment you recognize that shared experience, you belong. Some call it a cult, but it’s simply a community.

The UM network carries a sense of pride and connection, even for those who never stepped foot on the campus. It’s passed down through families and embraced by friends. It lives well beyond your years at school. It’s knowing that no matter where you travel, you can find someone who understands and values that part of your story.

That feeling is what drove me to create the Small Business ‘Ohana, a global community built for small business owners, founders, and entrepreneurs. It is a space designed to replicate that sense of belonging, to help you weather the isolation that can come with running a business. This community exists to foster genuine connections, shared insights, and a feeling that you are never truly alone in the journey.