'Marketing wizard' starts new business

A self-professed “local marketing wizard” is venturing into the business world with her own marketing firm.

Simone Steiskal, who has connections to Dodge County, has started Steiskal Strategies. With more than eight years of marketing experience spanning various industries like insurance, performing arts, beauty, health and fitness, construction and agriculture, Steiskal brings a fresh and unconventional spin to traditional marketing tactics.

Steiskal said her journey into entrepreneurship has been years in the making.

“I always had a goal to start my own business, but self-doubt and imposter syndrome made it a challenge,” she said. “With a nudge from my support group, I finally took the leap, and I haven’t looked back since.”

In addition to running the new business, Steiskal still works full-time for an agricultural-based company in Dodge County. She has been the marketing manager for the company for the past three years.

Playfully dubbed the “local marketing wizard,” Steiskal is in her current role thanks to a job posting that quite literally called for one. “The job listing I applied for was titled ‘Marketing Wizard,’ and it immediately caught my attention,” she said, adding she still jokes around with the HR manager because it’s so fitting for what she does now.

She also has previously worked for Gopher Sport and Wenger Corporation, both in Owatonna.

In her new role with the marketing business, Steiskal will specialize in branding, strategy and social media, helping businesses tell their stories through digital marketing.

“Marketing is more than just advertising,” she says. “It’s about storytelling. It’s about showing the faces behind the brand and making businesses feel more human,” she added.

When working with companies, her approach starts with listening. “Many business owners find social media daunting,” Steiskal said. “They already have so much on their plates, and marketing feels like another full-time job. That’s where I come in.”

Her process is simple yet effective: discovery meeting, customized proposal, execution and tracking and communication.

“My impact is already being felt in the Owatonna community, with businesses seeing increased engagement and brand awareness thanks to my digital marketing strategies,” she said. “Whether you’re a small or medium-sized business, my expertise and passion for storytelling marketing can help take your brand to the next level.”

She said marketing is extremely important for businesses to succeed. “Marketing is one of those things that works 24/7. It’s always working even when you’re not,” said Steiskal. “It’s always important to invest and improve your marketing strategies,” she added.

Besides social media management, Steiskal Strategies also offers a wide range of services to support businesses in their marketing efforts, including brand strategy, SEO strategy, blog writing and copywriting, video editing, graphic design, promotional items and tradeshow booth planning.

Steiskal, who graduated from Owatonna in 2013, has a degree in marketing from Minnesota State University-Mankato. She is an avid weightlifter and channels her passion into the Women’s Barbell Classic that will be back in Owatonna this fall. She and her husband have a 4-year-old daughter.

For anyone interested in working with Steiskal, she may be reached at 507-390-0871 or steiskalstrategies@gmail.com.