Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Beasley
Hi Shannon, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been drawn to problem-solving and strategy. I started my journey by earning a degree in biomedical engineering, which gave me a strong analytical foundation and a deep appreciation for data-driven decision-making. But rather than pursuing a traditional engineering path, I found myself drawn to business, leadership, and growth strategy.
I first applied those skills at Lululemon, where I ran a store, led a team, and managed operations—a hands-on experience that taught me how to scale a business from the inside out. That led me to the marketing world, where I eventually became the Director of Project Management at a marketing automation agency, working with enterprise-level clients.
While I gained invaluable experience there, I realized that my passion wasn’t in serving massive corporations—it was in helping businesses of all sizes grow sustainably—especially midsize businesses looking to scale to the next level. That’s why I launched Acorn to Oak Strategies, combining high-level growth strategy with hands-on execution in SEO, paid ads, cold email, and automation.
Now, my focus is on scaling the agency, mentoring my team, and helping our clients drive real revenue growth, all while keeping a white-glove, personalized approach that businesses don’t often get from bigger firms.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No real growth journey is ever completely smooth. Building Acorn to Oak Strategies has come with its fair share of challenges, but each one has strengthened my ability to lead strategically and scale businesses effectively.
One of the biggest struggles was transitioning from being the person who did everything to leading a team that could execute at a high level. Early on, I took on too much myself, thinking that working harder was the answer. But I quickly realized that real growth comes from building systems, empowering the right people, and creating a culture of accountability—not from trying to do it all alone.
Another challenge was navigating the shifting priorities of small to midsize businesses. Unlike enterprises with dedicated marketing budgets, many of our clients need to see ROI quickly to justify continued investment. That forced me to refine our strategies to be both high-impact and adaptable, ensuring that we drive measurable growth while keeping businesses agile enough to scale.
Scaling the agency itself has also tested me as a leader. As demand grew, I had to hire the right people, train them efficiently, and make sure we were delivering at the level I expect. This meant setting clear processes, implementing strong leadership frameworks, and ensuring every team member understands the business impact of their work.
What I’ve learned is that growth isn’t just about marketing tactics—it’s about building a business that can sustain success, no matter the obstacles. That’s exactly how we help our clients. We don’t just execute campaigns—we partner with businesses to create scalable, revenue-driven growth strategies that work long-term.
The challenges along the way have made me a stronger strategist, a better leader, and someone who understands what it takes to scale a business beyond its current limitations.
We’ve been impressed with Acorn to Oak Strategies, 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?
At Acorn to Oak Strategies, we help businesses grow smarter, scale faster, and drive real revenue—not just vanity metrics. We specialize in SEO, paid ads, cold email, and automation, offering high-level strategy with hands-on execution to businesses looking to reach their next stage of growth.
What Sets Us Apart?
We don’t just execute—we build growth engines.
Many agencies focus on tactics. We focus on scalable strategies that fuel long-term success. Whether it’s increasing inbound leads through SEO, launching high-converting paid ad campaigns, or automating sales processes, we ensure every move drives measurable revenue.
We bridge the gap between strategy and execution.
Most companies struggle because they either have a solid strategy with poor execution or great execution without a real strategy. We bring both—ensuring marketing efforts are data-driven, intentional, and actually profitable.
We know how to take midsize businesses to the next level.
Our sweet spot is working with midsize businesses that are ready to scale but need the right marketing infrastructure to get there. We bring the high-level expertise of a CMO with the efficiency of a specialized growth team, helping businesses reach enterprise-level success without enterprise-level complexity.
What We’re Most Proud Of?
The real revenue growth we deliver for clients. We’ve helped businesses double or even triple their revenue through smarter marketing, automation, and better lead conversion.
Our white-glove, high-touch service. Clients don’t get a faceless agency—they get a true growth partner who understands their business and helps them win.
The team we’ve built. We’ve structured our company to operate like an extension of our clients’ teams, making strategic growth feel seamless and effortless.
What Should Readers Know?
If you’re a business looking to scale—whether through better inbound marketing, more qualified leads, or a smarter sales process—we can help. We don’t just run campaigns; we architect sustainable growth strategies that move the needle where it matters most—your revenue.
Let’s grow.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I Love About Knoxville
Knoxville has the perfect balance of entrepreneurial energy and a tight-knit community. It’s big enough to have strong business opportunities yet small enough that relationships matter—which is exactly how I like to do business.
I also love how supportive the local business scene is. Whether it’s small businesses, startups, or established companies, there’s a real sense of collaboration over competition. Plus, the city has a growing tech and innovation scene, which makes it an exciting place for business growth.
And of course, you can’t beat the outdoor lifestyle. The Smokies, the river, and the greenways make Knoxville a place where you can work hard and still enjoy life.
What I’d Like to See Improve
Knoxville has a ton of growth potential, but sometimes businesses—especially midsize ones—struggle to scale because they don’t have access to the right resources, talent, or marketing strategies to compete on a larger stage. There’s a big opportunity to elevate Knoxville businesses to national and global success—and that’s something I’m passionate about helping with through Acorn to Oak Strategies.
I’d also love to see more investment in digital infrastructure and innovation hubs to help local businesses adapt faster, automate smarter, and stay ahead of industry shifts. Knoxville has all the ingredients—it just needs more acceleration.
That said, I love this city and the opportunity it provides for business owners who are ready to take things to the next level.
Pricing:
- SEO & Local Search Optimization – Starting at $2,500/month
- Google & Meta Ads Management – Starting at $3,000/month (plus ad spend)
- Cold Email Outreach & Lead Generation – Starting at $4,500/month
- Marketing Automation & CRM Optimization – Custom pricing
- Full-Service Growth Strategy & Execution – Starting at $5,300/month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.acorntooakstrategies.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acorntooakstrategies/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571193915060
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonpbeasley/
