🎉 Celebrating One Year in Business – Thanks to You


Hello Reader

I can hardly believe it’s been one year since I officially took the leap into running my business full-time!

This past year has been a rollercoaster of learning, growth, and (yes!) a few moments that took my breath away. But above all, it has been a year filled with connection, purpose, and incredible partnerships.

I’m so grateful for every nonprofit leader and team who has trusted me to support their marketing and communications. Together, we’ve built strategies, launched campaigns, and created systems that help missions shine with the visibility they deserve.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing:

  • Lessons I’ve learned from my first year in business
  • Stories and spotlights of the amazing clients I’ve had the honour to partner with
  • Insights that I hope will inspire and support your own journey

Thank you for being part of my community and for cheering me on along the way. Whether you’ve read a newsletter, referred a client, or simply followed along, your support means the world.

Here’s to another year of Heart-Driven Marketing Inc. building sustainable systems and helping nonprofits stop being the sector’s best-kept secret.

Best,

Marcela

photo

Marcela Zafra
Hands-On Marketing Support For Nonprofits

www.marcelazafra.com

marcela@marcelazafra.com

linkedin

Let's give your mission the visibility it deserves

Img Free Gift Download the guide + template to build brand guidelines

 
__tpx__

P.S. I’d love to hear from you. What is one lesson you have learned in your own journey this past year? Hit reply and share with me!

Marcela Zafra

I help nonprofits give their mission the visibility they deserve through various marketing strategies. I am a seasoned marketing expert with a track record in digital advertising, content and email marketing strategies; I bring more than ten years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Clients value my ability to see the big picture and create practical, executable marketing strategies. My transformative digital initiatives in a previous role with Brown Bagging For Calgary’s Kids boosted new website visitors by 141 percent and website engagement by 130 percent. I also grew their online community by almost 20 percent across all social media platforms and generated hundreds of leads through targeted Google and Facebook ads. As a creative thinker with a growth mindset, I love bringing ideas to life through painting, drawing, and dreaming. I offer Fractional Marketing support for nonprofits looking to: Increase awareness Boost fundraising efforts Build a thriving community of supporters. Reduce stress and workload. Execute strategic and consistent marketing efforts. Fractional marketing gives small and medium-sized nonprofits access to the expertise of a seasoned marketer on a part-time (fractional) basis. It's for organizations looking to enhance their marketing efforts with a small budget, and that means hiring inexperienced staff who require more effort and time to manage. marcela@marcelazafra.com www.marcelazafra.com

Read more from Marcela Zafra

Hello Reader Today, I want to share the story of an inspiring organization doing transformative work for newcomers: Passport to Integration. They offer an evidence-based online literacy and well-being program designed to help immigrants confidently navigate the challenges of starting a new life in Canada. When we met, they had a powerful vision, but were struggling with visibility, brand clarity, and strategic direction. As their Fractional Marketing Partner, I supported them to:- Define...

Hello Reader,I hope your week is going well, as I continue to celebrate and reflect on what this year in business has meant to me. I wanted to share what I believe is the biggest gift I have received. One of the biggest gifts my business has given me is freedom. And with that freedom came flexibility. Early on, I thought I needed rigid schedules and tight control to succeed. But I quickly learned that flexibility, not rigidity, is what actually allows me to do my best work. Specific creative...

Hello Reader Today I want to share a story that is deeply personal to me — my partnership with Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA). Thirteen years ago, when I first arrived in Calgary, I was a client at CIWA. Fast forward to today, and I had the privilege of returning, not as a newcomer, but as their Fractional Marketing Manager. CIWA was going through a mid-management transition, and like many nonprofits, they needed strategic support to keep things moving forward. Together, we...