Vertical Marketing

04/21/2026

The Faulkner family has spent nearly 20 years giving back to families in our communities across Northwest Iowa. Now they're the ones who need support.

Right now, their family is carrying more than anyone should have to. We're asking you to read their story and give what you can, whether that's a donation or simply sharing this post and lifting them up in your thoughts and prayers.

Jerry aka "Loser" and Ciel Faulkner, along with their daughter L… Charles Oppedal needs your support for Support for the Faulkner Family in Their Time of Need

03/27/2026

It’s my favorite time of year 🎣🙌

Always fun getting to design the logo for Iowa Great Lakes Area Walleye Weekend and see it come to life through so many local businesses.

From printing to distribution, this one’s a true community effort AND all of it goes right back into supporting tourism in the Iowa Great Lakes area through the The Chamber of the Iowa Great Lakes.

Such a good example of community businesses + tourism working together.

🐟 Don’t wait! Walleye Weekend gear is here!

Snag your gear today by shopping online or in person at select locations around the Iowa Great Lakes!
📍The Chamber of the Iowa Great Lakes
📍Oak Hill Outdoor - 2188
📍Kabele's Trading Post & Lodge
📍Fisherman's Factory Outlet

https://okobojichamber.com/walleye-weekend/

02/18/2026

A quick note to anyone who has reached out to us recently.

We see you, and we appreciate you!

We're currently experiencing an unusually high volume of inquiries, and while every message matters to us, we want to be transparent: response times are a bit slower than our norm this month.

As many of you know, I've been navigating some recent medical challenges, which means my current retainer and active clients are our first priority right now. We also have existing volunteer commitments we're honoring.

The exciting news? We're actively working on growing the team, as hiring and scaling are underway and we're addressing this publicly because we simply aren't able to get back to everyone individually this week.

Your inquiry is not lost. It matters.

We'll be in touch as soon as we're able.

Thank you for your patience and grace. 🚀

02/12/2026

Iowa Lakes Community College is deeply woven into my story.

My father was an adjunct professor in the 90s. I attended classes on their campuses while still in high school around the same time. A few years later, they worked me into an internship and full-time position while I was finishing my degree at UNI and raising a baby.

Yesterday, without knowing what was unfolding south of me, I posted on LinkedIn about what Iowa Lakes and this region have meant to my life. Hours later I learned a young student-athlete had been lost and dozens more injured when the baseball team's bus crashed.

There are no words big enough for this kind of loss.

The Laker family is in our hearts today.

We're with you. 💔

01/19/2026

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today with beautiful artwork by Genevieve P., 4th grader at George Mason Elementary, 2025.

"I have a dream."

12/31/2025

Wrapping up 5 years.... 5 years ✅

Launching into year 6.

As Vertical Marketing + Design closes out 2025, I'm reflecting on a milestone year of growth – both for the communities we serve and for this business.

Five years in and the mission has evolved some. When I look back at 2020 I can see how we've gone from supporting small mom-and-pop businesses to partnering with economic development organizations, museum alliances like LAMA and really innovative non-profits whose work is shaping entire communities.

This year deepened partnerships with clients like Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation and Spirit of Okoboji. It also brought some new firsts for myself including meeting (and learning from) entrepreneurial students at OEI, taking part in my first pitch competition, completing pro bono work with Arts on Grand as they moved into their next chapter. And getting through what was personally a milestone year while keeping this work moving forward.

And 2026 is already taking shape with new partnerships and projects coming aboard that we are so excited to help launch!

To my clients, past present and future: Thank you for trusting me to help amplify the work you're doing for our communities. Your missions matter.

To Kathy and Angie: Your collaboration makes the work better and the journey more meaningful.

To everyone following along: You're part of this journey too. Thank you!!

Here's to 2026 – year 6 and our continued orbit together!

– Vanessa

12/02/2025

This Giving Tuesday, we encourage you to give back locally - with your time, talent or money - to organizations and initiatives making a difference in our community:

Centers Against Abuse and Sexual Assault (CAASA)
CASA of Iowa
Shayla Bee Fund
Arts On Grand
Clay County Heritage
Spirit of Okoboji

Thank you to the administrators, board members and volunteers of these very special programs who keep them running all year long.

Thank you for Giving Back to the rest of us, the rest of the year long!

We appreciate your dedication to service to community.

Have a favorite entity of your own? Post it in the comments - let's all highlight the good things this community is doing 👇👇 Let's show the world our giving nature too!

11/24/2025

MISSION CONTROL launches tomorrow 🚀We are taking Marketing Mastermind online!

Business owners: tired of posting on social media with zero strategy behind it?

Join me for 15 minutes on marketing strategy that actually makes sense for small businesses.

Tomorrow we're covering:
✔️ What you're actually trying to accomplish (hint: not just "engagement")
✔️ Who needs to hear from you
✔️ What to say that makes them care
✔️ Where to show up (and permission to ignore the rest)
✔️ How to know if it's working

No fluff. No 40-page marketing plans.

Just a simple foundation you can use immediately.

Tomorrow. November 25 (4th Tuesday Monthly)
9AM via Zoom
Come and Go format

15 min + Q&A
Zoom link: Private message for link

See you in Mission Control.

11/19/2025

When safety equipment isn't designed for everyone, entrepreneurs like Bolu Ojo step up.

Today on Women's Entrepreneurship Day, I'm sharing why her SparkDefy story matters for our region.

Learn more about Bolu's story:

After meeting Bolu at OEI and watching her journey unfold this year—winning 1st place at the Global CEO Conference Pitch Competition in Tampa Bay, placing 1st in ISU's Pappajohn Fall Startup Pitch Competition, earning recognition at multiple events—I knew her story needed to be shared beyond jus...

11/17/2025

Very excited to announce our new

Monthly Mission Control Zoom Room

NO COST TO ATTEND!

Join Vertical Marketing and other business owners looking to connect through marketing on the 4th Tuesday of every month from 9-10am.

15-20 minutes of focused marketing strategies + live Q&A.

Free, actionable and designed for busy business owners.

We start Tuesday, November 25 at 9am—watch for details and PM us for the link!

11/11/2025

Had the absolute joy of capturing Ryonna's senior session this summer and fall—the latest of her family's chapters I've been honored to photograph over the years.

We didn't just pose in pretty spots. We revisited the places that shaped her: the Lakes, Arnolds Park adventures, the nature trails and backroads she's always loved, with her strong faith in tow. The places that make Ryonna Ryonna.

That's what I love most about photographing friends' kids—watching them grow into these incredible humans with their own styles, passions and incredible stories to tell.

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Looking ahead to 2026: We'll be limiting senior sessions again to just 4 slots and typically booked by March. If you know a senior who needs photography services but cost is a barrier, we operate on a quiet don't-ask-don't-tell policy. Just reach out.