Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Wiles.
Hi Lori, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My Story—From Broadcast Booth to Clarity Champion:
My journey started behind a microphone, not a marketing plan. After earning my degree in broadcasting from the University of Kansas, I became a news and sports broadcaster. It didn’t take long to realize that the world of TV news wasn’t the team-focused environment I craved. That’s when I pivoted – channeling my storytelling and communications skills into corporate marketing.
I dove into the worlds of engineering and technology, joining Sprint PCS as their 58th employee at the very dawn of wireless phones. Growing alongside Sprint for 13 years was a cornerstone of my career. It was a time of bold ideas and working with the best both internally and externally. That experience taught me the power of a clear vision, high standards and what it means to lead through transformation.
Kansas City’s community spirit also drew me in. While at Sprint, I volunteered with local start-ups, including 1 Million Cups events, and saw just how strong and collaborative our entrepreneurial ecosystem is.
Later, I took on senior leadership roles at the NAIA, Blue Cross, Lockton, and GEHA. Each stop deepened my commitment to clarity, partnership and creating real results for teams – no matter the industry.
After navigating leadership transitions at my last two companies, I knew it was time to make a new kind of impact – one rooted in helping small businesses find their footing in the noise. Entrepreneurship runs in my family, but as a single mom during much of my career, timing was everything. It finally felt right to take the leap and launch my own practice, serving a community I care deeply about.
Today, I bring together everything I’ve learned: how to find a clear path through chaos, how to empower teams, and how to make big-company strategies work for small businesses. Kansas City’s energy, resilience and generosity inspire me – every leader deserves clarity, not chaos, and I’m here to help make that happen.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it Been a Smooth Road?
Not at all – but the bumps in the road have taught me as much as the easy stretches ever could.
Leaving Sprint was one of the hardest decisions of my career. I loved the work, and I loved the people. But eventually, the cycles of layoffs and constant reorganizations took their toll. It’s never easy to be part of the process of letting talented colleagues go. Sometimes more than once a year. When that started to weigh heavier than the joy of the job, I knew it was time to move on.
Transitioning to my own business was a whole new challenge. Most of my contacts and relationships were forged in corporate America. Shifting into the world of small businesses meant I had to rebuild my network almost from scratch. That took stepping out—showing up for networking events, volunteering, speaking, and just being present in Kansas City’s entrepreneurial community. Over time, those connections evolved into real, meaningful partnerships.
One of the subtler challenges? People sometimes bring their preconceptions – assuming I’m “corporate” because of where I’ve been. I’ve learned that every new chapter is a chance to show who you are now, not just where you’ve been.
I’ve never struggled to adjust to a new company or team, regardless of size. What’s stood out most is how open, supportive and collaborative the Kansas City small business community is. The road hasn’t always been smooth, but every twist and turn has brought more clarity and confidence in my purpose: helping leaders gain confidence in marketing, whatever stage they’re in.
We’ve been impressed with Lori Wiles, Fractional CMO, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Lori Wiles, Fractional CMO exists for one reason: to bring clarity to marketing for overwhelmed business leaders. I work with small and mid-sized businesses who want more than marketing buzzwords or cookie-cutter plans. They want a real partnership and a clear path to results.
I step in as a hands-on marketing leader for organizations that need CMO-level thinking but aren’t ready – or don’t want – to hire a full-time executive or an agency. My specialty is diagnosing the root problems behind marketing confusion or stalled growth. Together, we build a custom, actionable marketing plan you can understand and actually use. My Strategy First product provides a strategic, customized marketing plan to my clients in as little as 45 days.
Everything I do is personal, direct and focused on making your team stronger – not more dependent. I don’t hand work off, disappear after the first meeting or deliver “plans off the shelf.” You get me, every step, from diagnosis through delivery. I teach as I go, so your team leaves more capable and confident than when we started.
One thing that sets my practice apart is an AI-forward approach – using the latest, practical AI tools to give small businesses a real competitive edge. I believe technology should make life simpler, not more complicated. That’s why I integrate AI in ways that are seamless and human-first, helping businesses streamline operations, find new growth opportunities and make smarter marketing decisions faster. The result? Small teams can move with the confidence and agility of much larger competitors – without losing the personal touch that makes them unique. I offer a product where I can build a marketing-focused AI tool to help my clients execute on our strategic plan.
I’m most proud that my clients view our work with genuine relief and new confidence – the feeling of finally seeing a clear way forward. They know what’s next, and they’re ready for it.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up in Topeka, Kansas, in a hardworking family where independence wasn’t just encouraged – it was a daily expectation. My brother and I were classic LatchKey kids, learning early on to take responsibility for ourselves and figure things out on our own. That sense of self-reliance shaped me for life.
My mom was a career inspiration for me. She spent over 50 years as a realtor and dedicated herself to opening doors for others – literally and figuratively. Her work on the Kansas Human Rights Commission, fighting so women could get loans and credit in their own names and advocating for equal housing, taught me the real meaning of standing up for the underdog. My dad was an incredibly generous and fun man – he also taught us that we needed to care more about other people than we cared about ourselves. That drive to support others and level the playing field became a core part of who I am.
Personality-wise, I was always curious and persistent. Nancy Drew was my childhood hero – minus the pearls and high heels. I shared her inquisitive spirit and tenacity, always digging a little deeper, never quite satisfied with easy answers. That drive pushed me to pay my own way through college and graduate in three years to minimize costs.
Looking back, those early lessons in independence, fairness and grit not only shaped me as a person, but also anchor how I show up for clients and my community today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://loriwilescmo.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loriawiles/
