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Meet Renae Scott of Bee Collaborative

Today we’d like to introduce you to Renae Scott

Hi Renae, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey in business began with a spark of entrepreneurial spirit from an early age. Growing up in Northwest Indiana, I had a creative spirit that kept me busy for hours; I wasn’t just content to dream—I wanted to create. One of my first ventures was selling rocks from Lake Michigan on our quiet, dead-end street. What some might see as just rocks, I saw as an opportunity to make connections and share something with others. This early experience taught me the value of resourcefulness and laid the foundation for a career centered around finding potential in unexpected places.

That same drive to connect and create led me to a career in marketing, where I began as a marketing analyst at Victoria’s Secret. Over 16 years, I worked my way up, developing a deep understanding of customer insights and strategic brand marketing and direct response marketing. Later, I moved on to lead marketing in economic development in Ohio, where I spearheaded the “Ohio is for Leaders” campaign, branding Ohio as a hub for innovation and growth in a business friendly climate.

Yet, even with these accomplishments, I felt a pull to return to my entrepreneurial roots and support smaller businesses with big dreams and goals. This inspired me to start Bee Collaborative, where I now work as a fractional CMO, helping retail companies grow and scale. My focus is on uncovering unique strengths in each business and translating those into growth opportunities.

Ultimately, I’m driven by a desire to help companies forge meaningful connections and achieve their vision. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m excited for what lies ahead.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I think all journeys are filled with twists and turns, and mine has certainly had its share of them! Early on, I learned that it’s not always about having a clear path forward but about adapting to what’s around each corner. Yes, I had goals and dreams, but I quickly realized the most important aspect was being ready for the next opportunity, rather than just checking a box along the journey. It was a valuable lesson to learn early on that sometimes a lateral move is what truly sets you up for long-term growth. From navigating the demands of corporate life at Victoria’s Secret to leading high-stakes projects, each step came with its own set of unique challenges that stretched and shaped me in new ways.

One of the toughest parts of my journey was learning to balance the drive for success with the need to set boundaries, both personally and professionally. I’ve had to learn how to pivot my approach without sacrificing my values or the quality of my work. Founding Bee Collaborative, for instance, has brought its own learning curve—from juggling all aspects of running a business to meeting the evolving needs of my clients.

What I know for sure is that I learn something new every day. Those challenges are now some of my greatest strengths. They’ve made me a more empathetic, resilient leader and, ultimately, a better partner for my clients.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Bee Collaborative?
Bee Collaborative is a strategic marketing consultancy dedicated to helping small and mid-sized retail businesses grow through customized, high-level marketing expertise. Our services are designed to meet clients where they are in their growth journey, with offerings that include a 90-Day Marketing Assessment, Strategic Marketing Advisory, Marketing Strategy & Leadership Development, Comprehensive Marketing Management, and EOS Fractional CMO Services. Each of these offerings is tailored to support business goals, optimize marketing efforts, and ensure sustainable growth. Additionally, we specialize in Direct Response Marketing to help clients drive immediate engagement with measurable results, enhancing their ability to connect with customers on a deeper level.

What sets Bee Collaborative apart is our commitment to simplicity and collaboration. We focus on solving complex marketing challenges by working closely with clients to uncover their unique strengths and tailor strategies that resonate with their specific audiences. Our approach is grounded in understanding each business’s individual needs and goals, allowing us to create strategies that feel authentic and are driven by real customer insights.

We specialize in taking a strategic, customer-centric approach, guiding companies to make smarter marketing decisions based on real insights into their customer behavior and demographics. Our process is thorough and adaptable, starting with a 90-Day Marketing Assessment. This initial phase includes reviewing current business goals, assessing the marketing strategy, and conducting stakeholder interviews. Clients keep the comprehensive report, filled with actionable insights, whether they continue working with us or not.

One of the most rewarding aspects of Bee Collaborative is seeing the impact of our work firsthand. I’m proud of the strong relationships we’ve built with clients and the meaningful results we’ve helped them achieve. Bee Collaborative is about empowering small businesses to not only compete but thrive in an ever-evolving marketplace. We’re not just strategists; we’re partners in growth, committed to helping our clients achieve sustainable success.

For readers interested in how we can elevate their business, Bee Collaborative is here to be that trusted marketing partner—one that combines friendly, approachable guidance with professional, authoritative insights to transform business challenges into growth opportunities.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is creating meaningful impact and empowering others to thrive. Over the years, I’ve come to realize that success isn’t just about hitting targets or achieving milestones; it’s about the positive, lasting changes we can help make in people’s lives and businesses. I believe that the work I do through Bee Collaborative has the power to make a real difference—helping small and mid-sized businesses reach their potential and build genuine connections with their customers.

I’m especially passionate about helping small businesses because they often have the most to gain and, in many cases, the most at stake. Being able to provide them with the strategic resources they need to compete in a tough market is incredibly fulfilling. It’s also important to me to bring empathy and authenticity into every client relationship. Each business I work with is unique, and seeing the results of a collaborative, customized approach is deeply rewarding.

Ultimately, my work is driven by a desire to make marketing accessible, strategic, and impactful for businesses that want to grow and adapt.

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