The mission of Creative Tension Marketing is to provide client-centered, research-based marketing services to help businesses and nonprofits thrive. We do this by working closely with our clients to help them clarify their goals, identify their needs, and then develop a plan of action. We provide the needed support and technical services to help ensure success.
We believe that making a difference in the lives of others is what brings true meaning and purpose to life. Helping businesses and nonprofits thrive leads to increased well-being for individuals, families, and communities. The array of marketing services we offer are essentially tools we use to help promote this well-being. Seeing people succeed in reaching their goals is what drives us.
Creative Tension Marketing was formally started in 2016, but it’s roots extend back to the childhood of it’s founder, Donna Leigh Bliss, who was a born entrepreneur. Her first “business” was opening a lemonade stand when she was 8 years old. When she was 11 she had a newspaper route and when she was 18, she had an ice cream truck route.
Coupled with her love of the entrepreneurial spirit is her belief in the need to help make a difference in the lives of others. Donna graduated with a BA in Psychology from the University of Maryland College Park and received her MSW degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland Baltimore. After many years working in the addictions field in both clinical and administrative roles, Donna returned to school to get a PhD in Social Work from the University of Maryland Baltimore. This has led her to a career path in higher education where she has worked as an associate professor.
While Donna has done consulting work with businesses and nonprofits for many years, she decided to pursue her dream of creating a marketing business that emphasizes entrepreneurism and making a difference in the lives of others. In many ways, Creative Tension Marketing marks an integration of Donna’s life experiences.
According to Donna, “I got my love of business from my father, who was a successful businessman when I was growing up. I saw firsthand how his success helped to support the families of his employees and make a difference in the community by providing needed services. I am more of a social entrepreneur at heart, because while making money is nice, I really like to make a difference in the lives of others. Starting Creative Tension Marketing provides the best of both worlds and it’s been gratifying at the positive reception we have received.”
