How to Build a Lean Marketing Team That Actually Works

Send us a text In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, I sit down with Alex Love—VP of Marketing and Communications, adjunct professor, and co-host of the podcast Mastering the Art of Failing. We dive into her unexpected journey into marketing, the lessons learned from failure, and the art of building small but mighty teams. Alex shares how her career evolved from writing grants at a nonprofit to leading marketing teams and teaching the next generation of marketers. We explore: The Power of Learning and TeachingWhy a love of learning keeps marketers adaptable and relevantHow Alex turned her passion for education into a teaching role at GWThe challenges (and joys) of engaging students who just want to “check the box” Lessons in Failure and ResilienceThe rise and fall of Digital District, a pioneering social media communityWhy Alex considers it both her biggest success and her biggest failureHow failure becomes fuel for future opportunities and growth Building and Leading Lean TeamsWhy relationship-building is the secret weapon of small marketing departmentsThe importance of hiring for ambition and drive over technical skills aloneHow to communicate that no single marketer can “do it all”Why outsourcing and specialized support free teams to focus on strategy Creativity, Risk-Taking, and Viral WinsHow one “crazy idea” born on a dog walk turned into an award-winning campaignWhy sometimes the riskiest ideas resonate the most with your audienceRedefining what “going viral” really means for niche organizations Key Takeaways for MarketersMarketing is as much about relationships as it is about tacticsLean teams thrive when curiosity and problem-solving lead the wayFailure is inevitable—but also invaluable in shaping future successSometimes the boldest, quirkiest ideas lead to the greatest impact Whether you’re a solo marketer, part of a lean team, or leading communications at a larger organization, this conversation is full of insights into how to stay creative, scrappy, and resilient in an ever-changing landscape. Connect with Alex Love: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexslove/ Website: https://rivasolutionsinc.com/ 🎧 Ready to rethink failure and lean into creativity? Tune in now to hear Alex’s inspiring journey and actionable lessons. Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage? Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube. From "Holy cow, it can do that?" to "Wait, how does this work again?" – I"ve got all your AI curiosities covered. It"s the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain. Watch here