Meet Chris Dimacale | Fractional CMO & Strategic Marketing Expert

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Dimacale and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Starting my own business, Marant Digital, was equal parts passion, ambition, and a sprinkle of “What’s the worst that could happen?” After 20 years in corporate roles, I’d grown tired of the bureaucracy and unceasing meetings. Now, as a Fractional Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), I help businesses that need strategic marketing leadership—without the commitment or cost of a full-time executive. Think of me as the marketing equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, minus the corkscrew.

My focus is on turning marketing chaos into something clear, actionable, and effective. Whether it’s creating a roadmap, optimizing campaigns, or uncovering growth opportunities, I develop and activate strategies that actually work—not just ones that look good in a PowerPoint or in theory. Authenticity is central to my approach, shaped by years of frustration with environments where buzzwords outpaced results. I’m not interested in learning “how to eat an elephant,” nor do I think anyone should be.

Starting a business hasn’t been without its challenges. Late nights wrestling with accounting software were humbling moments. But seeing the impact of my work—whether helping a cancer treatment center eclipse its goals or guiding a startup to gain traction—has made every challenge worthwhile.

At its core, Marant Digital is about more than marketing. It’s about empowering businesses to grow with clarity and confidence, equipped with practical tools and strategies—and maybe a few jokes to keep things light.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Marant Digital wasn’t born out of a master plan—it grew from a mix of trial, error, and plenty of “Let’s see if this works.” Running a business isn’t a straight path; it’s more like a really awkward dance.

Being your own boss may sound glamorous, but the reality hits when you’re Googling, “SMTP server connection error?” at 11 PM. From negotiating service terms to balancing client needs with my own sanity, every challenge came with a lesson—most learned the hard way.

What sets Marant Digital apart is how I approach the work. I help clients see the bigger picture and break it into actionable steps. Whether it’s crafting a marketing roadmap, optimizing sales funnels, or finding untapped growth opportunities, I focus on strategies that deliver results, not just vanity metrics.

The real joy comes from partnering with clients to solve complex challenges and seeing their vision come to life. I love looking at all the data and inputs and figuring out what’s missing, going awry, and coming up a solution. For me, the process is inherent. It’s about more than checking boxes—it’s about creating something impactful and meaningful.

The real joy for me comes from partnering with clients to tackle tough challenges and bring their vision to life. I have an inherent love for digging into the data, connecting the dots, and uncovering what’s missing or isn’t working. It’s about finding a solution that not only fits but feels right. For me, it’s never just about checking boxes—it’s about creating something that truly matters and makes a lasting impact.

I’ve also learned that success isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about asking the right questions and staying adaptable. Some days feel like smooth sailing, while others feel like duct-taping a boat together in a storm. But even in those messy moments, there’s satisfaction in knowing I built this, imperfections and all.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that starting a business isn’t reserved for those with all the answers—it’s for anyone willing to figure it out along the way and laugh at themselves in the process. Trust me, I’ve laughed plenty—usually at my own expense.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
At this stage in life, my friends and I are less about jam-packed itineraries and more about hanging out, eating good food, and having conversations that don’t require sign language because we can’t hear each other over the crowd. That said, if they came to Atlanta for a week, I’d still have a loose plan to make sure we made the most of our time.

We’d definitely spend a day wandering the BeltLine. It’s the ultimate multitasking activity: walking, eating, and people-watching all at the same time. Plus, so many new restaurants are popping up along the trail that it’s basically an excuse to eat appetizers at three different places and call it “exercise.”

Dinner at Marcel would happen. It’s the kind of spot where you can eat like royalty, pretend you’re fancier than you are, and linger over a good steak while pondering how many desserts are too many for one person.

For something more offbeat, I’d check out the Center for Puppetry Arts. It might sound quirky, but that’s part of the charm—and let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to casually drop “puppet museum” into their Monday morning water-cooler chat? From there, we’d head to SCAD to see whatever exhibit they have going on. It’s always inspiring, even if it occasionally leaves you wondering how someone half your age already has a better portfolio than you ever will.

The rest of the week would be wide open for spontaneous plans—brunch at Star Provisions or Bantam + Biddy, maybe a low-key evening at The Works, or even just sitting around with coffee and catching up on life. No pressure, no agenda, just good company and the occasional argument over who last picked up the tab.

Ultimately, it wouldn’t matter what we did—it’s the laughter and memories along the way that make any trip unforgettable.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The pivotal moment in my journey came during an annual family trip, which this time brought us back to my favorite city—Paris. While at a cafe off Rue Cambon, my brother-in-law—no stranger to entrepreneurial risk—asked, “Why don’t you do your own thing?” I laughed, thinking, “Sure, because figuring out what ‘my thing’ is will be easy.” But Paris has a way of making big questions stick. That conversation was the nudge I needed to rethink the corporate grind and consider what I really wanted.

Back home, I wrestled with what “my thing” could look like, I reached out to Kelly, a marketing solopreneur I’d heard of through a colleague. Her advice was simple but transformative: “You’re a Fractional Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). You’ve got the skills; now package them up for the people who need them.” It was like she handed me a flashlight in a dark room.

From there, the real work began—figuring out how to be a Fractional CMO. That’s where cohort groups came in, offering guidance on pricing, positioning, and avoiding the dreaded “jack of all trades” trap. Building the systems and processes I’d once taken for granted in corporate roles was humbling but rewarding.

None of this would have been possible without my partner, who has been my sounding board, reality check, and occasional therapist. Their unwavering support turned what felt like a daunting leap into manageable steps.

Looking back, it wasn’t one defining moment that brought me here—it was a series of lessons, challenges, and people who believed in me. For all of that, I’m deeply grateful.

Website: https://www.marantdigital.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fcmo_chris/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdimacale/