MODERN businesses operate in a competitive arena, and achieving consistent cash flow is paramount to success. CEO and founder of Picture Me Consultancy Fiona Thorpe emphasised that effective marketing is the linchpin to achieving this financial stability.

Since its inception in 2017, Picture Me Consultancy has been dedicated to guiding businesses through the intricacies of establishing themselves and cultivating a loyal customer base.

“Picture Me emerged from the realisation that many individuals struggle to envision themselves in roles aligned with their aspirations,” Thorpe shared with the Jamaica Observer, shedding light on the inspiration behind the company’s name.

“Our mission is to empower individuals to visualise their goals, be it in their personal or professional lives, as this visualisation serves as the catalyst for action.”

With a diverse clientèle ranging from start-ups to established enterprises, Picture Me Consultancy adopts a holistic approach to fostering business growth. Irrespective of industry, it focuses on developing marketing strategies that can pave the way for their sustainable success. Looking back at the history of marketing, businesses used to run campaigns across various platforms, such as social media, television, radio, and billboards, tirelessly. However, in today’s landscape, many businesses have shifted away from this practice due to the substantial funding required. Without a consistent revenue stream, allocating budgets for marketing becomes increasingly challenging.

“Sustainability is one of the primary challenges faced by businesses,” she acknowledged.

“Many businesses either shut down, pause operations, or miss out on opportunities due to a lack of funding.”

She asserted that having a solid strategy will set the business up to thrive, as “cash flow is the lifeblood of any business.”

“By achieving consistent cash flow, businesses can sustain themselves and remain profitable,” she affirmed, highlighting the core mission of her business: aiding companies in effectively marketing themselves.

With the objective of bridging the funding gap through strategic marketing, Picture Me Consultancy offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to individual needs. The consultancy company acts as a one-stop solution for businesses, guiding them through various stages of growth.

“We’re committed to guiding businesses every step of the way,” Thorpe assured.

“Whether it’s providing strategic guidance or maximising profitability through effective marketing, our consultancy services are designed to support our clients comprehensively.”

Its commitment extends to assuming the responsibility for managing campaigns and teaching the strategies to teams within companies. As the business progressed, Picture Me recognised that consistent revenue generation remained a significant challenge for many businesses, often resulting in closures and operational pauses. Thorpe identified a lack of networking opportunities in Jamaica’s business landscape as another gap to be filled. She emphasised the importance of fostering connections through private engagements, where businesses can capitalise on shared strengths and address weaknesses collaboratively.

“We are not seeing this kind of engagement or meeting anywhere in Jamaica,” Thorpe told the Sunday Finance. “Business meetings tend to be insular, confined within organisations. There’s a clear need for more business-to-business networking events to facilitate cooperation and growth.”

To bridge the gap in business-to-business (B2B) relationships, Picture Me Consultancy introduced initiatives like its annual expo, “Picture Me Your BFF.” This event fosters networking among businesses across various industries, providing a platform for companies to forge partnerships and capitalise on synergies in areas such as business, fashion, and food.

“We aim to convey the message that the businesses showcased at our expo are indeed your best friends forever,” she explained.

By extending invitations to join the Picture Me family, businesses have the opportunity to showcase their offerings and connect with like-minded entrepreneurs. However, one notable observation made by Thorpe was the prevalence of a selfish mentality among entrepreneurs and businesses. She emphasises that there are ample customers for everyone, and businesses will not thrive if they adopt a scarcity mindset.

“The truth is, no business can serve everybody within the market,” said Thorpe. “We must recognise that we share a customer base, and it’s normal for customers to switch between businesses. This dynamic is part of the natural ebb and flow of the market.”

Picture Me Consultancy has further plans to engage with overseas businesses, providing a platform for them to interact with Jamaican consumers. By facilitating cross-cultural exchanges for international businesses to tap into the Jamaican market.