If you’re running a small business and feeling overwhelmed by marketing, I want you to know one thing: you don’t have to do this alone, and you don’t need a 200-page strategy.

You need clarity, direction, and someone who gets it.

That’s where I come in.

I’m Monica Hoffman, a marketing strategist who helps small, real-world businesses cut through the noise and get focused on what actually works.

Over the past 20+ years, I’ve worked behind the scenes on everything from freebie promo ideas to national television campaigns - helping creative teams bring big ideas to life and making sure nothing got lost along the way.

I started out in magazine publishing - Vogue, New Scientist, Rolling Stone - back in the early 2000s, when things were built with passion, grit, or someone’s garage (no jokes). There were barely any marketing budgets, just big dreams and the need to make it work. I made friends with every radio DJ across New Zealand and quickly learned how to hustle, stretch what we had, and stretch the opportunities.

From there, I went on to Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand and other top-tired agencies working on multi-million-dollar campaigns across AUST and NZ for brands like Telecom, Yalumba Wines, and TVNZ doing advertising campaigns for shows like Desperate Housewives, Dancing With The stars and MORE. I moved from DIY promos to Cannes-winning strategy, and what I learned was this: the size of the brand doesn’t matter. What matters is clarity, creativity, and putting your customer first.

And that’s what I bring to every client I work with now.

I’m here to listen, clarify, and help you move forward with confidence.

I’ve been doing this long enough to spot the gaps fast, pull ideas into shape, and know what work is worth doing now and what can wait. And if I am NOT the right person you should be working with. I’ll point you in the right direction.

You don’t need more overwhelm and spaghetti throwing… You need a plan that fits your business, your life, and your budget.

Clients come to me when:

• They’ve been doing it alone and are ready for real support

• They’ve spent thousands on courses but are still spinning in circles

• They’re stuck in a fog of too many ideas and no direction

• Their brand or messaging doesn’t match the quality of what they deliver

• They’re launching something new and want to get it right the first time

• They want to stop wasting money and start doing marketing that works

I am a mum first.

As much as a miss the budgets, the awards and the long lunches…. I’ve chosen not to work in advertising agencies anymore because I work part-time and my kiddies will always come first. My clients know what my priorities are.

I’ve lived in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, so my accent is a a huge mix of confusion ;) . I’m a mum of three daughters, I have 2 coffees a day and I believe the best marketing happens when we stop trying to be fancy and start getting real and having FUN!

I started out studying Television, Theatre, and Radio and quickly fell in love with the backstage world of theatre - where I could be the boss and the creative glue holding everything together. I’ve dressed up as the Easter Bunny and Catwoman for events, worked as a fairy at kids’ birthday parties, done my time in retail and waitressing, and said yes to just about every creative job under the sun.

I’ve run events, hosted a regular radio segment reviewing magazines, managed competitions, supported research campaigns, studied brand strategy as a graduate certificate at Auckland University and was the agency representative at trade shows, student events and the number #1 mentor for junior execs. I juggled all the messy, exciting parts of bringing ideas to life.

And between 2010 and 2021, I took a full 11-year break from the professional world to be a 100% stay-at-home mum. The best job ever.

I once won the annual “Nothing is Impossible” award at Saatchi & Saatchi. But it wasn’t just for big ideas. It was because I lived that mantra. I went to the ends of the earth for my clients and my creative teams to make things happen. I wasn’t just in the meetings. I was in the trenches, pulling the pieces together, pushing through the roadblocks, and bringing the vision to life.

I love the creative process. I protect it. And I make sure the great ideas don’t get lost along the way.

If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start moving with purpose, reach out. I’d love to hear what you’re working on.