Melea McRae

Throughout my 25 years in marketing, business owners have asked me countless times how to best grow and scale their businesses.

As a business owner myself, I understand just how much risk one takes starting and running a company. But whether you own a start-up or an established, mid-sized business, smart marketing is one of the best investments you can make. Read More

We know. It’s been a while.

The past six months have been some of the most transformative since Crux launched two years ago. It’s been a time of extreme growth for our company, both internally and externally. We’ve added desks to our office, client folders to our computers and milestones to our memories.

And we’ve done a terrible job documenting it. Read More

Ever since childhood, I’ve been enamored with the Swiss Army knife. I’d borrow my dad’s and marvel at how each tool fit so nicely with the next, and how incredibly functional the whole thing was. (And someday, I will open a bottle of wine with that tiny corkscrew.) Read More

Anyone in a relationship can identify: Even if you understand the words your partner is speaking, you can still be talking in very different languages. Those of us in the marketing world can definitely grasp this analogy, especially as it applies to the differences for B2B and B2C companies. Read More

A sofa just rolled past our office door. To the left, an electrician is wiring a globe chandelier, and outside our glass wall, they’re taking measurements for our new logo decal. Feels like home! Read More

Don’t get me wrong—I’m a big fan of tradition, especially around the holidays. All of the same ornaments are on my Christmas tree this year, my daughter is enjoying her Elf on the Shelf named Ginger once again (when I remember to move it around, that is), and I have my tried-and-tested holiday rituals and indulgences I look forward to each season. Read More

Everyone loves a good origin story. Hewlett Packard basically started Silicon Valley in an old garage (now a preserved museum); Sara Blakely dreamed up Spanx after attacking some pantyhose with a pair of scissors; and everyone knows the Man of Steel grew up just down I-70 to the west. Read More

Think different. I’m lovin’ it. Where’s the beef?

Three very distinct companies just flashed through your brain, all because of a little word magic and some cleverly crafted taglines that have left an indelible impression on American culture over the past few decades. Read More

While the “Made in KC” mark is becoming ubiquitous on T-shirts and tote bags around the region, the slogan is more than just the name of a popular local brand––it’s actually quite a powerful movement. In fact, we’re a city full of creators, makers and innovators––and it’s time to spread the word! Read More