Hi, I'm Zane BolenI lead marketing systems that turn pipeline into performance
As a marketing systems expert, Zane Bolen aligns strategy, systems, and execution to drive real business growth from scaling startups to transforming enterprise operations.
Proven Impact
The results that define my approach
$1B+ Revenue
Strategic value creation positioning companies for successful exits
Healthcare, education, cannabis, franchise
3 Exit Processes
Developed and executed comprehensive exit strategies across multiple industries
Due diligence, integration, strategic positioning
1 Successful Exit
Successfully navigated complete exit process from preparation to close
$20M Native Grill & Wings acquisition
200+ Locations
Built scalable marketing operations that enhance enterprise value for exits
Multi-campus, multi-state coordination
Executive Profile
C-suite marketing executive who transforms marketing from cost center to growth engine. Proven ability to scale teams, budgets, and systems while delivering measurable business impact across regulated industries and high-growth environments.
Strategic Capabilities
Executive Experience
Board-Level Strategy
C-suite collaboration, investor relations, strategic planning
M&A Leadership
Due diligence, integration planning, value creation
Regulatory Expertise
HIPAA, Title IV, cannabis compliance, multi-state operations
Platform Innovation
AI implementation, martech integration, proprietary systems
Market Leadership
Healthcare Technology
HIPAA-compliant platforms, telehealth
Higher Education
Multi-campus operations, Title IV
Emerging Markets
Cannabis tech, regulatory navigation
Franchise Operations
Multi-location marketing, brand consistency
Leadership Differentiators
Team Transformation
Inherited lowest morale team, achieved 100% new hire retention and Top Workplace awards in Hampton Roads and Orlando
Exit Strategy
$20M franchise acquisition through strategic preparation
Healthcare Tech
HIPAA-compliant telehealth systems for addiction treatment
Ready to Transform Your Marketing Systems?
Let's discuss how strategic marketing operations can drive your business growth.
Speaking Engagements
Invited to share expertise on marketing systems and growth operations
eduWeb Summit 2025
Invited by eduWeb's review committee to present one session from among three approved topics, demonstrating recognized expertise in higher education marketing systems.
Breaking the Funnel
How personalized CRM automation can transform admissions marketing and improve conversion rates through strategic data utilization.
Own the Data, Own the Outcome
Structuring marketing teams to directly impact enrollment outcomes by aligning data ownership with accountability.
Endure. Learn. Rise
Building resilient, high-performance internal team cultures during organizational change and uncertainty.
Awards & Recognition
Industry recognition for marketing excellence and creative achievement
Wrike Elite 100 Nominee
Nominated for the 2025 Wrike Elite 100, recognizing top Wrike users globally. Selected for using Wrike to connect cross-functional teams and drive project outcomes.
MARsum's Top 100
Recognized among elite marketing professionals for contributions to the marketing and advertising sector through Baked Bros™.
Pioneer Intelligence
Awarded for SEM strategies that increased website traffic from 4,000 to 80,000 monthly unique visitors for Baked Bros™.
Baked Bros Impact Award
Presented to the employee who makes the most significant impact in their department or on the business as a whole.
Excellence Award
Monthly recognition for exceptional performance and contribution to company growth and culture.
Impact Award
Recognition for relentless commitment to constant improvement and significant departmental impact during critical growth period.
Case Studies
Real challenges, strategic solutions, measurable results
Successful $20M Exit: Native Grill & Wings Franchise Acquisition
Led comprehensive digital transformation and exit preparation strategy resulting in successful franchise acquisition.
HIPAA-Compliant Telehealth Platform for Addiction Treatment
Developed a secure telehealth system enabling addiction treatment services across multiple states.
Leading Inquiry Growth & Student Enrollment Without CRM Access
Functioning head of marketing during institutional CRM transition and high-growth cycle.
322% Increase in Organic Traffic for ATI Through SEO & Web Redesign
Complete SEO overhaul and website redesign driving massive organic growth for career-focused education.
12.8% YoY Inquiry Growth Across 18 Campuses While Improving Quality
Scaled marketing performance across 18 campuses while improving targeting efficiency and lead quality.
19,000% Organic Traffic Growth for Baked Bros™
Award-winning SEO campaign that positioned Baked Bros™ as a cannabis industry category leader.
Transforming Team Output Through Leadership Structure and Strategy
Restructured leadership model to dramatically increase team productivity and project completion rates.
85% YoY Inquiry Growth Driven by Organic Channel Optimization
Transformed the website into the highest-performing inquiry channel through SEO, UX, and content strategy.
Free Marketing Systems Assessment
Get a personalized analysis of your marketing operations and discover optimization opportunities
What You'll Get:
- Marketing systems audit checklist
- CRM optimization framework
- Lead generation workflow templates
- ROI measurement guidelines
No spam. Just actionable insights.
Marketing Performance Calculators
Evaluate your ROAS performance and estimate SEO potential with these interactive tools.
ROAS Calculator
Calculate your Return on Ad Spend and evaluate campaign performance
ROAS Formula:
ROAS = (Revenue from advertising ÷ Cost of advertising) × 100
Need help improving your ROAS?
SEO Calculator
Estimate traffic and conversions based on keyword rankings and search volume
How it works:
Estimated Traffic = Search Volume × CTR (based on ranking position)
Estimated Conversions = Traffic × Conversion Rate
Want to achieve 19,000% organic traffic growth like I did?
Marketing Systems
Platforms, automation, and campaigns that drive business growth
Native Grill & Wings
25+ location franchise prepared for successful $20M acquisition through digital transformation
Tech Stack
Rume Health
HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform for addiction treatment services
Tech Stack
Baked Bros™
Award-winning cannabis e-commerce platform with 19,000% organic traffic growth
Tech Stack
ECPI University
Multi-campus university platform driving 32% inquiry growth
Tech Stack
Auto.edu (ATI)
Trade school platform with integrated CRM and 322% traffic growth
Tech Stack
Grassp Health
Proprietary tech platform integrating with dispensary POS systems to enable delivery services
Tech Stack
Trusted by Leaders
What colleagues and clients say about working with me
"What has impressed me most is his ability to lead and manage a team, create processes, procedures and products all while executing collaborative projects from inception to launch in an uncertain start-up environment."
"He's driven by new technology and has the unique ability to set strategic priorities, yet also operate at the practitioner level if need be."
"His ability to simplify complex systems while keeping them user-friendly was truly impressive. Beyond his technical skills, Zane's thoughtful collaboration and steady leadership made the entire process smoother and more effective."
Brands I've worked with
Let's Talk Growth
No pitch. Just a strategic conversation about where you're stuck and where you want to go.
About Zane Bolen
Zane Bolen is a marketing systems expert and growth operations specialist with extensive experience in digital marketing, SEO, CRM management, and marketing automation. Based in Virginia Beach, VA, Zane Bolen has helped companies achieve significant growth through strategic marketing systems implementation.
Zane Bolen's Expertise
- Marketing Systems Architecture
- Growth Operations Strategy
- SEO and Organic Traffic Growth
- CRM Implementation and Optimization
- Marketing Automation Workflows
- Paid Media Management
- Lead Generation Systems
- Marketing Analytics and Reporting
Zane Bolen's Achievements
- 19,000% organic traffic growth for Baked Bros™
- $20M successful exit for Native Grill & Wings
- 32% inquiry growth for ECPI University
- Prism Top 100 Marketing Leaders recognition
- Pioneer Intelligence Top Mover rankings
Industries Zane Bolen Has Worked In
- Higher Education Marketing
- Healthcare Technology
- Cannabis Industry Marketing
- Franchise Operations
- SaaS and Technology
Zane Bolen's Awards and Recognition
- eduWeb Summit 2025 Invited Speaker (invitation received)
- Wrike Elite 100 2025 Nominee - Collaboration Category
- MARsum's Top 100 Marketing & Advertising Leaders 2021
- Pioneer Intelligence Top Mover for Website Activities 2020
- DNA Paris Design Awards - Logo Design Award 2021
- London International Creative Competition - Official Selection 2021
- Baked Bros Impact Award recipient
- Multiple international photography exhibitions
Zane Bolen Speaking Topics
- Breaking the Funnel: Personalized CRM automation for admissions marketing
- Own the Data, Own the Outcome: Structuring marketing teams for enrollment impact
- Endure. Learn. Rise: Building resilient team cultures during change
Contact Zane Bolen
To learn more about Zane Bolen's marketing systems expertise or to discuss growth operations consulting, contact Zane Bolen at zanebolen@gmail.com or connect on LinkedIn.
"The best marketing leaders are shepherds: they guide with wisdom, protect with systems, and measure success by their team's growth."