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

Nicole, appreciate you joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

I didn’t exactly wake up one day and decide to become an entrepreneur. In a lot of ways, Idea Queen Marketing had been building itself quietly in the background for years.
I built my first website when I was 12 years old for my dad’s band, just because I thought it sounded fun. Looking back, that probably should have been everyone’s first clue. While other kids were figuring out hobbies, I was teaching myself branding, web design, and how businesses connect with people online….you know…things that normal middle schoolers do?!
As I got older, I kept gravitating toward using my skills to help small businesses and community organizations. My first part-time job was creating marketing campaigns and building out a CRM for a local hair salon, and from there, I just kept saying yes to opportunities to help people grow. Over time, I worked with businesses, nonprofits, event venues, fundraisers, musicians, community leaders, and organizations across Iowa and beyond. Every role taught me something different about storytelling, branding, and human connection.
The actual launch of Idea Queen Marketing wasn’t one giant, dramatic leap. It was more like years of people saying, “Can you help me with this?” until I finally realized I had accidentally built a business around the thing I naturally loved doing.
At the time, I was working full-time as Marketing Director for Wired Production Group in Cedar Rapids. I loved the creativity, the strategy, the event world, and the fast pace, but I also kept feeling pulled toward helping smaller organizations that didn’t have access to full marketing departments. I saw so many amazing nonprofits and small businesses with incredible stories but no clear strategy or support system to help them grow. That became the spark behind Idea Queen Marketing.
Once I made the decision to move forward, the next phase became figuring out how to turn years of experience into an actual company. I had to build a brand identity that felt authentic to me, set up a website, define my services, establish pricing, organize contracts and processes, and most importantly, figure out how I wanted clients to feel when working with me.
I spent a lot of time thinking about positioning. I didn’t want to be “just another marketing agency.” I wanted Idea Queen Marketing to feel approachable, creative, community-focused, and deeply invested in the people behind the businesses. That shaped everything from my messaging to the types of clients I pursued.
A lot of the early growth came organically through relationships. Small business owners talk to each other. Nonprofits refer people. Community involvement matters. I had spent years building genuine relationships in Eastern Iowa, and when I officially launched, people immediately started connecting me with others who needed help.
There have definitely been moments where I had to pause and figure things out as I went. Every entrepreneur does. I had to learn how to balance strategy with execution, how to manage multiple clients while protecting creativity, and how to transition from being “the marketing employee” to being the person fully responsible for the business itself.
But honestly, the biggest thing I learned is that execution matters more than perfection. So many people sit on great ideas because they’re waiting for the perfect timing, the perfect logo, the perfect plan, or the perfect confidence level. I learned that momentum is built by starting before you feel fully ready and having the most epic support system of friends and family members to cheer you on along the way.
Idea Queen Marketing exists today because I stopped overthinking and finally gave myself permission to build the thing I had already been preparing for most of my life.

Nicole, 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 an Iowa native, a lifelong creative thinker, and someone who has been fascinated by marketing and storytelling for as long as I can remember. I’m especially passionate about storytelling and community-centered marketing. I want the work behind every organization’s marketing efforts to feel human first.

I think what sets me apart is that I genuinely care about the people behind the businesses. I’m not interested in creating marketing that feels robotic, trendy for the sake of trends, or disconnected from the heart of an organization. I want clients to feel seen, understood, and supported. A lot of my work starts with listening before strategy. I’ve built my business around a space where creativity and strategy coexist in a way that I can serve the big guys (like multi-million dollar companies with 50+ employees) and also take care of the little guys, too (think soloprenuers and mom-and-pop shops).

If there’s one thing I’d want potential clients or supporters to know, it’s that I truly love this work. I love helping organizations uncover what makes them special. I love brainstorming ideas that make people excited again. I love helping nonprofits tell stories that inspire donations and action. I love building marketing strategies that help small businesses feel more confident in their future.

Honestly, I just love being part of things that bring people together, create impact, and make communities stronger.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think my reputation has been built through consistency, community involvement, creativity, and genuinely caring about the people and organizations I work with.

I didn’t build my business by trying to become an internet celebrity or a “marketing guru.” I built it by showing up consistently for businesses and community leaders. A lot of my growth has come from relationships, referrals, and trust, and I’m incredibly proud of that.

I also think people know that I’m someone who can balance both strategy and execution. I love brainstorming big ideas and building brand strategy, but I also love rolling up my sleeves and helping make those ideas happen. Whether that means writing content, planning campaigns, building websites, supporting fundraising events, managing social media, or helping organizations clarify their messaging, I enjoy being part of the entire process. I refuse to leave any client behind, no matter how big or small their budget is. And if I can’t serve them, I promise myself that I will do everything in my power to find someone or something who can.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

A few books have had a meaningful impact on how I’ve built and approached Idea Queen Marketing over the years. The Freelancer’s Bible helped me better understand the realities of building a service-based business and gave me the confidence to take my skills seriously as a business owner before I was ready to quit my 9-5 job. The One Minute Manager reinforced the importance of communication, leadership, and building positive working relationships, which has been incredibly valuable when working with clients and my creative team members. The 4-Hour Workweek challenged me to think more strategically about systems, efficiency, and designing a business that creates freedom and flexibility instead of burnout (and how I balance being a new mom, wife, daughter, AND business owner). Each of these books shaped different parts of how I approach leadership, creativity, and entrepreneurship today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ideaqueenmarketing.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ideaqueenmarketing/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IdeaQueenMarketing/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-schroeder-from-iowa/