Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Laurie Mann. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Laurie, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

MANN|MARK was born from a deep desire to make a difference and ignite advocates for missions that matter. After decades of working at United Way, I saw firsthand how powerful impact becomes when people truly believe in a cause. The organizations that thrived were the ones that told their story with clarity, heart, and purpose, turning supporters into champions.

I launched MANN|MARK to bring that same belief-driven approach directly to nonprofits and service organizations. By combining my experience in storytelling, advocacy, and community engagement, I help organizations move beyond marketing and build movements around their mission. At its core, MANN|MARK exists to amplify impact by igniting advocates who carry the mission forward.

Laurie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Laurie Mann, founder and CEO of MANN|MARK, a strategic marketing, public relations, and storytelling firm dedicated to helping nonprofits and mission-driven organizations amplify their impact by igniting belief and advocacy around their work.

My path into this industry was shaped by purpose long before it was shaped by marketing. I spent decades working at United Way, where I was immersed in community impact, nonprofit leadership, and large-scale collaboration. That experience gave me a front-row seat to both the heart of nonprofit work and the challenges organizations face when trying to communicate their mission in a crowded world. I saw how powerful change becomes when people truly believe in a cause and how often incredible organizations struggle not because their work isn’t meaningful, but because their story isn’t being clearly or authentically told.

That realization became the catalyst for launching MANN|MARK.

Today, I work alongside nonprofits, service organizations, and purpose-driven businesses to help them move beyond traditional marketing and into belief-driven storytelling. We provide strategic marketing, PR, messaging, brand development, social media strategy, and campaign execution, but at the core of everything we do is connection. I help organizations articulate who they are, why they exist, and why their work matters in a way that inspires action, not just awareness.

The problem I solve for clients is clarity. Many leaders know their mission deeply but struggle to translate it into messaging that resonates, mobilizes supporters, and builds momentum. I help them find their voice, align their message with their values, and create strategies that turn audiences into advocates. My work often bridges internal culture and external storytelling, because when organizations are aligned from the inside out, their impact multiplies.

What sets MANN|MARK apart is that we lead with heart and strategy in equal measure. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all marketing. I believe in listening deeply, understanding the human story behind the organization, and building campaigns that are rooted in authenticity, integrity, and purpose. My clients often describe me as a true partner rather than a vendor, someone who is deeply invested in their mission and success.

What I’m most proud of is the ripple effect of the work. I’ve had the privilege of supporting organizations that serve children in foster care, young mothers and babies, healthcare disruptors, community advocates, and leaders who are doing meaningful work every day. Seeing stories come to life, communities rally around a mission, and organizations grow stronger because their voice is finally being heard is what fuels me.

The most important thing I want people to know about me and my brand is this: MANN|MARK exists to make a difference. We work with organizations that care deeply about people and impact, and we help them tell stories that matter. When belief is ignited, advocacy follows, and that’s where real change happens.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the most defining moments of resilience in my journey came after MANN|MARK was already established.

Early on, I followed a traditional growth mindset, saying yes to clients that looked good on paper. Over time, I realized something felt off. While the work was successful, it wasn’t always aligned with why I started MANN|MARK in the first place. I had left United Way without a single client and built my business from the ground up on trust, integrity, and relationships, and I could feel myself drifting from those values.

The turning point came when I made the difficult decision to walk away from clients that didn’t align with mission-focused work. It was a financial risk and an emotional one. Saying no meant uncertainty, but saying yes would have meant compromising the purpose behind the brand.

Choosing alignment over revenue changed everything.

That decision clarified who MANN|MARK is and who we exist to serve. It allowed me to focus exclusively on nonprofits, service organizations, and mission-driven leaders who are making a difference in their communities. More importantly, it reinforced a belief I carry into every partnership: when you lead with integrity and purpose, the right opportunities follow.

That moment of resilience wasn’t about pushing harder. It was about trusting myself enough to choose what mattered most and building a business rooted in values, not fear.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Building my audience, reputation, and client base all came from the same core approach: showing up with purpose and consistency.

I didn’t grow my social media presence by chasing algorithms or trends. I focused on sharing real stories, real impact, and real moments from the organizations and leaders I support. By highlighting mission-driven work and celebrating the people behind it, my platforms became a place of connection rather than promotion. Over time, that authenticity built trust and engagement organically.

My reputation in the industry grew the same way, through relationships and results. I’ve always led with integrity, followed through on commitments, and treated every client’s mission as if it were my own. People remember how you show up for them, especially in moments that matter, and that has led to long-standing partnerships and referrals.

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been alignment. When I became clear about who I serve and why, the right clients found me. Referrals and word-of-mouth have been the foundation of my growth because people don’t just recommend what you do, they recommend how you make them feel.

Fostering brand loyalty comes down to staying connected. I prioritize regular touchpoints, personal check-ins, celebrating wins, and expressing genuine gratitude. I see my clients as partners, not projects, and that relationship-first approach creates trust, longevity, and advocacy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mannmark.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mannmarklv
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mannmarklv
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/mannmarklv/
• Twitter: https://x.com/mannmarklv
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mannmark-henderson?osq=mannmark

Image Credits

Mikel Conrad McKenzi Taylor