Barbara Breckenfeld – long bio

My introduction to marketing came when I took a portfolio of textile designs to New York. Everyone who looked at them asked me the same question, “What market are these for?”

I didn’t know the answer, but as I worked in the garment business I learned that a beautiful design wouldn’t sell if it wasn’t what the client was looking for. The insight that effective marketing connects with our clients’ concerns has never left me. That was 25 years ago. Since 1996 I have worked primarily with professionals in the design and construction industry.

Since the age of six when I taught my younger sister to read, I have always been teaching something. Most recently, I delight in distilling my strategic marketing and communications experience into practical, usable skills as a marketing coach for small business people. I also lead groups and workshops in marketing that support small businesses to develop and grow.

I volunteer as a mentor to a teenaged girl, volunteer with Animals as Natural Therapy using horses to help teenaged girls in recovery, and I donate my professional skills to a non-profit using executive coaching to help youth create better futures. I love spending time with horses, and find them to be powerful teachers.

Education:

Colby College in Waterville, Maine

University of the Arts, Philadelphia – Bachelor of Fine Arts in Textiles

University of Washington Extension – Certificate in Integrated Marketing Communications