Small teams don’t need big budgets to be influential—they need strategy. In this episode, Paige Velasquez Budde, CEO of Zilker Media and author of The Strategic Business Influencer, shares how to build lasting visibility and trust in a crowded market. We talk about what it really means to scale influence as a small business leader, the missteps to avoid, and where to focus when your time and resources are limited. You’ll learn: What “strategic business influence” actually looks like How to get noticed without chasing every new trend Why trust is more powerful than reach when building a brand This episode is for leaders who want real traction—not just attention.
Quotes from the show
”You are the expert. That’s why somebody’s gonna buy. That’s why somebody’s gonna invest. That’s why somebody wants to work with you.”
-Paige Velasquez Budde
“ Don’t be afraid to repurpose, just do it in a strategic new way.”
-Paige Velasquez Budde
Let’s Meet Our Guest
Paige Velasquez Budde
Co-Founding Partner & CEO | Zilker Media |
Paige Velasquez Budde is a veteran marketer, entrepreneur, and keynote speaker. She is a co-founding partner and the CEO of Zilker Media, an Austin-based agency that builds trusted leaders and companies. During her tenure as CEO, the Austin Business Journal has named Zilker one of the city’s fastest growing companies as well as one of its best places to work, two years in a row. It has also been listed on Austin Inno’s list of “Coolest Companies.”
Paige speaks to leaders about strategic business influence conferences and corporate events, including organizations such as Ernst & Young, JPMorgan Chase, Harvard Medical School, The University of Texas, Camp Gladiator, Entrepreneurs Organization, and the Women Presidents Organization. She delivered a TEDx Talk at the University of Texas Business School in March 2023. Her approach to people-driven marketing has been featured in media outlets such as Inc., Thrive Global, KevinMD, Texas CEO Magazine, Authority Magazine, Business News Daily, and Business.com.
Espresso Shot(s)
You talk about “strategic business influence”—what does that really look like for small teams?
How can a small team prioritize visibility efforts without stretching too thin?
What visibility tactics work better for local businesses and what works better for digital-first brands?
Toolkit
Toolkit:The Strategic Business Influencer (book available for pre-order)
Meet Anna + Selena – a duo of fun-loving small business owners, digital experts, and strategic smarty-pants that offer resources and services to small and medium-sized businesses.
