by Judah | Jan 8, 2026 | Marketing, Personal
Sometimes the hardest step is loosening your grip
For the last season of my life, my biggest concern was simple and heavy at the same time, consistency in income.
Six months ago, success meant helping clients succeed, finding more clients, building recurring revenue, and keeping Dynamic Spark moving forward. I was doing meaningful work, work I cared deeply about, but the stress of inconsistency sat quietly in the background, always present.
Today, success looks different.
It looks like being happy with the work I’m doing.
It looks like less stress about income.
It looks like peace with working for an individual business again.
That shift did not happen overnight, and it definitely did not happen according to my plan.
Choosing faith before the math worked
One of the clearest faith moments in this journey had nothing to do with work.
I proposed to my girlfriend of four years during a season when income felt anything but stable. From a purely logical standpoint, it did not make sense. But after conversations with a spiritual leader, prayer, and consistent confirmation through Scripture and daily devotionals, it became clear that faith was asking me to value the future more than the present.
That decision set the tone for everything that followed.
Shortly after, a part-time position kept showing up on my radar. At first, I resisted it. It felt like a distraction from the business I was trying to grow. But the more I prayed for provision, the more I realized something uncomfortable, if I was asking God to provide but unwilling to take a step when an opportunity appeared, I was closing the door myself.
So I applied.
When a step is not the destination
That step required letting go of some control, time, and pride. The role itself was never the destination, but it softened my grip and widened my perspective. Going through the process gave me permission to imagine a different rhythm of work and life, one that did not revolve entirely around carrying everything on my own.
Through interviews and conversations, I caught glimpses of a healthy culture and what it could look like to be part of a team again. It reminded me that while remote work has served me well, I have spent a significant portion of my career behind a screen. I thrive on real connection, and even recognizing that longing helped me loosen my hold on what I thought I needed to protect.
That openness mattered. Without it, I would not have been willing to consider what came next.
Around the same time, a new client opportunity experienced a delay. Another reminder that even my best plans were still fragile.
And that is when a different door opened.
The role of friendship and timing
My friend Tommy reached out to see if I would be open to learning more about working with Patio Pleasures in a marketing role.
Tommy and I go back to college at UW–Whitewater. We’ve stayed in contact over the years and have been in the same fantasy football league for more years than I’d like to admit. He knows me well enough to recognize not just a skills fit, but a values and personality fit.
What mattered most was that he advocated for me before I ever stepped into the building. He helped leadership see the value of having marketing in-house and had me in mind as someone who would align with the culture they were intentionally building. I’m deeply grateful for the role he played in making this career change.
Even then, I didn’t rush into it. It took me until the next day to have peace about learning more about the business. But once I visited the store, heard about the company, and spent over an hour talking with his manager, something felt different.
There was no pressure. No pitch. Just conversation.
The more I learned, the more everything lined up. The people. The culture. The integrity. The way they view marketing as education and relationship, not noise or manipulation. Without realizing it, I was describing how I have always believed marketing should work, and they were nodding because that is how they already operate.
That alignment felt like confirmation.
Why this chapter makes sense
Accepting the Marketing Manager role at Patio Pleasures came with mixed emotions.
There is real excitement about the work ahead and the opportunity to enhance an already strong foundation. There is peace knowing income will be consistent. And there is also some grief in putting Dynamic Spark on hold, at least for now.
Dynamic Spark has shaped me deeply. It taught me that I love people and thrive on authentic interaction. It taught me grit, how to finish projects when there are no clear answers, and how growth often requires doing uncomfortable things first. Networking, presenting, and talking to strangers all felt awkward early on. With practice, they became formative.
Putting this work on pause does not erase those lessons. If anything, it builds on them.
At Patio Pleasures, I get to focus fully on marketing. I get to work within an established business that already has a strong base, adding clarity, personality, and one-to-one connection to what is already working. I get to test ideas, help shape execution, provide consistency, and work alongside a team that trusts me to make decisions.
I’ll also be stepping back into an in-person environment for the first time in a long while. I’m looking forward to the connection, even as I acknowledge some natural discomfort in the transition. Growth often carries both.
What I am learning through all of this
This season has reinforced something I am still learning to live out.
Faith requires action. Faith without action isn’t faith at all.
Sometimes God does not provide far in advance. He provides at the moment of need. That means control often has to be released before clarity shows up. Leaps of faith can feel ill-timed or uncomfortable, but they can also lead you exactly where you are meant to be.
This chapter is not about walking away from something. It is about walking toward peace, alignment, and growth.
If this season has taught me anything, it is that control often feels safe, but surrender creates space.
If you are holding tightly to something because letting go feels risky, maybe the question is not what you might lose, but what you are not allowing room for yet.
What would change if you loosened your grip just enough to take the next step, even without seeing the whole path?
by Judah | Jan 8, 2025 | Marketing, Personal
How did I end up starting a marketing consulting business? Great question! But before I dive into my career journey, let me ask you this: Do you love what you do? Why do you do what you do? These are the very questions I ask my clients when learning about their businesses. Each story is unique, and every path has its own twists and turns—just like mine.
Cue Lady Gaga: “Cause God makes no mistakes, I’m on the right track, baby, I was born this way.”
How does that resonate with me? Marketing has been a part of me since I was a kid. Let’s rewind to the late ‘80s, when selling wrapping paper was a thing. Oh, I dominated in personal sales. A family friend still has wrapping paper I sold nearly 35 years ago! You’d think this entrepreneurial streak would’ve launched an illustrious sales career, right? Wrong. I quickly realized I didn’t enjoy the high rejection rates of one-to-one sales, but that spark for business and personal connection never left me.
Art, Business, and High School Revelations
Growing up, I was always creating. Drawing, designing—you name it. By the time I got to high school at Madison East, my artistic side blossomed in various art classes. I loved exploring creativity and seeing how my designs came to life.
Choosing a Practical Path
As graduation approached, a false sense of reality hit:
Artists are “supposed to be” broke.
That narrative took hold and prompted me to explore a more “practical” career in business. Enter Mrs. Andersen’s “Starting a Small Business” class, which sparked my interest in the business world and entrepreneurship. For the first time, I saw how creativity could intersect with strategy to build something meaningful.
Discovering My Passion for Marketing in College
I went off to UW-Whitewater, a college known for its business programs. Initially, I spent more time “networking” at parties than studying. My GPA reflected this, but joining the American Marketing Association (AMA) introduced me to a world of marketing. I was hooked.
“Where’s the beef?”
Suddenly, I was brimming with movie quotes and catch phrases that fueled my creative fire and brought marketing to life.
Unfortunately, my frequent “networking” led to a GPA that delayed my entry into the School of Business, so I explored Advertising classes to boost my grades. Not only did it work, but I found more fuel for my passion! Shoutout to Professor Zhou for drilling into my head that “Marketing is my… (dramatic pause)… passion!” I ended up double majoring in Journalism and Marketing, capitalizing on my love for communication, strategy, and creative storytelling.
Pivots, Car Rentals, and Coaching Volleyball
An Unexpected Detour in Car Rentals
Post-college, I never landed my dream marketing or advertising agency job. Instead, I found myself cleaning rental cars at the airport and coaching varsity volleyball at Abundant Life Christian School.
Sometimes, life calls for a (Friend’s fans chime in here) PIVOT!
While cleaning rental cars wasn’t glamorous, it taught me valuable lessons about patience and adaptability.
Finding Fulfillment in Coaching
Coaching, on the other hand, fulfilled a different passion:
Mentoring and inspiring young people.
I discovered that guiding others to succeed, whether in sports or business, was deeply rewarding.
Luckily, this was a short detour. A college connection (shoutout to Kim!) referred me to a market research position in Chicago.
Lesson learned:
Who you know can be just as important as what you know.
Kim’s hard work and academic achievements rewarded my “networking.” The role opened doors and gave me experience in analyzing data and understanding consumer behavior. Two years later, though, I felt creatively unfulfilled. A housing crisis and subsequent layoff gave me a chance to reassess my direction.
Back to School–Rediscovering My Creative Side
Pursuing Graphic and Web Design
Deciding to reignite my creative side, I pursued a Graphic Design associate degree at Madison College. This wasn’t just about learning—it was about rediscovering the joy of creating something from nothing. Later, I added a Web Design certificate, which combined my love of visuals with problem-solving and strategy. This technical path sparked my love for blending art and technology, though never with Comic Sans or Papyrus fonts. (Thanks, Mike Martin, for keeping design standards high!)
New Skills, New Opportunities
These new skills opened up a world of possibilities. I started designing logos, building websites, and experimenting with different marketing techniques. Each project felt like another piece of the puzzle falling into place.
Designing, Marketing, and Winning ADDYs
My 10-Year+ Journey at WPS Health Solutions
Fast forward to landing a web designer role at WPS Health Solutions. In the 10+ years I was there, I wore many hats:
- Web designer
- Graphic designer
- Email marketing strategist
I even won a Silver ADDY Award for my work. Email marketing became a niche where I thrived, thanks to email marketing guru Jay Schwedelson’s strategies. Crafting campaigns that connected with audiences and drove results was exhilarating.
When a company-wide restructuring led to yet another career reassessment, I realized something important:
Marketing is still my passion.
Every step in my journey—every pivot and challenge—had led me to this point. Why not make it official? Enter: Dynamic Spark.
Present Day: Sparking Growth with Dynamic Spark
Since launching Dynamic Spark, I’ve been working with clients to help spark growth in their small-to medium-sized businesses by building custom websites that capture their brand’s unique vision so they can:
- Attract their ideal customers
- Turn website visitors into loyal advocates.
My Core Service Offerings
Custom Websites
Helping businesses create professional, high-performing websites.
Branding and Logos
Crafting unique, memorable branding that stands out.
Marketing Strategy
Developing tailored marketing plans for growth.
Website Growth Services
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Email Marketing
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SEO Optimization
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Lead Magnet Development
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Landing Page Design
View Website Growth Services options.
Why I Do This
Why? Because I believe every business has a spark waiting to ignite. I’m passionate about helping business owners uncover their unique stories and use them to connect with their audience. Whether you’re a small business owner in the greater Madison, WiI area or a local service provider, your story matters. You matter. And why you do it is the key.
Let’s Spark Something Great Together
So, what’s your journey? Let’s spark something great together. Learn more and get started today! Even if we’re not a fit, I’ll gladly refer you to someone in my network. Dynamic Spark is here to light up your business. Together, we can create something truly remarkable.
