HOW WE’RE DIFFERENT

A woman sitting outdoors at a table with a laptop, smiling, with a blurred man in the background, possibly in a park or public space.

We’re the marketing agency that hates marketing agencies.

Carly Olson is a seasoned marketing strategist who knows how to cut through the noise and deliver branding that truly performs.

She founded Divergent Marketing and Branding after realizing that small business owners today are left with two choices: take on the massive undertaking of becoming a self-taught branding and marketing expert overnight, or put themselves in danger of being swindled by large agencies who care more about contracts and retention than helping blue collar America.

You’re a business owner—not a marketer. Carly gets that wholeheartedly.

Coming from 15 years of hands-on experience in corporate, nonprofit, and small business marketing, she’s seen it all—from leading national digital campaigns to crafting razor-sharp content strategies that drive results and brand awareness.

Having worked with easily over 100 companies, agencies, and nonprofits over her career, she’s not afraid to get in the trenches with her clients to build strategies that work in virtually any industry or niche.

Carly’s all about value, quality, and ensuring every client walks away with a brand that not only stands out but drives real growth. She believes going the extra mile for her clients should be the norm, and brings humor, energy, and thoughtfulness to every step of her projects.

No More Guesswork. Just Strategic Growth That Hits Hard.

  • My branding package with Carly is the best gift I ever gave myself. We spent the week going top to bottom creating my branding, website, and social media pages, and developed a comprehensive marketing plan to get my business where I want it to be! Carly is incredibly knowledgeable and easy to work with, and I would recommend Divergent Marketing and Branding for all your needs!

    Andrew Z. | A to Z Pet Sitting

  • Carly saved me and my business and was fun and easy to work with in the process. We had an in depth marketing strategy session where she recognized my strengths and found out what I needed to work on to make the biggest impact. She helped me the most with my copywriting and I learned how to fine tune my digital presence. As an e-commerce only business this is HUGE. My brand and my pocketbook owes her a ton.

    Anna T. | Hard Charger Coffee

  • Carly is incredible! She held a branding session with me to revamp my brand and marketing strategy for Spearhead Leadership and it was an absolute game changer for me and my business. Her ability to ask the right questions and identify the best strategy for each of her clients is unrivaled. She’s also updating my website and I couldn’t be happier with the progress. If you want to take control of your brand and marketing, contact Divergent Marketing and Branding today. I’m thrilled to continue working with her!

    John L. | Spearhead Leadership

  • I’ve had an incredible experience working with Carly. Her coaching on my overall marketing strategy and branding has truly transformed my business. Carly helped me get clear on my value proposition, which was key to attracting the right clients and setting the foundation for long-term growth. The strategic advice not only boosted my confidence but also led to a noticeable increase in client inquiries.

    Brittany P. | Virtual Assistant

Divergent in The Media

  • Fireside America Episode 106

    Fireside America Episode 106

    On this episode Carly helps host Ryan Robbins unpack how stepping into uncomfortable territories and opening up to vulnerability can drastically shift your personal and professional landscape. From navigating the uncertainty of leaving a stable job to discovering the power of authenticity in branding and marketing, Carly’s story offers a roadmap for anyone craving freedom, growth, and genuine connection.

  • Everyday is Friday Podcast

    Everyday is Friday Podcast

    In this episode of Every Day is Friday, host Matthew interviews Carly who shares her journey from working in various industries to founding Divergent Marketing. She emphasizes the importance of understanding one's brand, building emotional connections with customers, and the need for clarity in branding. Carly discusses common mistakes businesses make and how to maintain authenticity in a digital world. The conversation also touches on the role of AI in branding and the importance of learning from failures in business.

  • The Might in Motion Podcast S3E3

    The Might in Motion Podcast is one of the top rated professional podcasts on streaming platforms reaching hundreds of thousands of industry leaders with each episode and helping them to reach their personal and professional goals. This episode is an insightful conversation with Carly and podcast host Marianna Kinnee. Carly shares her expertise in demystifying brand messaging and creating unexpected marketing content that sets businesses apart.

For us, witnessing those “lightbulb moments” is the best part of what we do.

Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a small business with an admin team, or a company looking to overhaul your digital presence, we take the guesswork out of marketing.

We focus on delivering value and quality in everything we do, guiding you through the complex world of marketing with a hands-on, personalized approach. You can stop Googling the latest trends and elusive “algorithm", and quit taking course after course of mastermind coaches promising to help you unlock the secrets to success.

When you work with us, you get more than just marketing support—you get a partner who’s committed to helping you build a reputable, concrete brand and driving real, measurable growth.