StoryBrand Marketing Agency
Is Your Marketing Message So Confusing Even Your Own Mom Doesn’t Get It?
We're an award-winning StoryBrand Marketing Agency that helps Service Businesses clarify their messaging so everyone wants to work with you!
✓ Build trust and authority in your industry
✓ Connect with CLIENTS WHO ACTUALLY GET IT
✓ MARKETING THAT FEELS NATURAL
WATCH THIS VIDEO
If your message isn’t landing—and the right clients aren’t showing up—it’s not your fault. Most service business owners are great at what they do. They just struggle to talk about it clearly.
In this video, I’ll walk you through how we fix that using the StoryBrand Framework, plus how to get started with either DIY or done-for-you options.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR MESSAGE ISN’T CLEAR
Can your mom explain what you do?
Can you easily explain what you do?
Can anyone?
If not, that's the problem we fix.
Because when people don’t understand what you do, they move on. You end up working harder just to stay in the game.
You’re always re-explaining yourself
Your website doesn’t convert visitors into clients
Your leads aren’t the right fit
Referrals become scarce
Marketing is frustrating as all hell
But it doesn’t have to be this way. A clear message makes all of that easier. It’s the difference between chasing leads—and attracting the right ones.
You might not believe it yet, but marketing can actually be the opposite of frustrating when you're doing it right.
MAKE YOUR MARKETING Simpler
Whether you want to learn the system or hand it over completely, the goal is the same: clear messaging that brings in better clients with less effort.
A DIY SYSTEM THAT’S SIMPLE TO FOLLOW
for weekly group coaching, templates, and a proven system that fits seamlessly into your week—without taking over your life.
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COACHING THAT MEETS YOU WHERE YOU ARE
Want someone to walk you through it? Get 1:1 or team coaching to clarify your message and apply the StoryBrand Framework to your business in real time.
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DONE-FOR-YOU MARKETING
Too busy to do it yourself? We’ll build your messaging, write your copy, create the assets you need, and handle your StoryBrand marketing—so you can stay focused on running your business.
HI, I'm Vicky Sidler
And I’VE BEEN WHERE YOU ARE
I know how it feels to stare at your marketing and think, “Why isn’t this working?” That's why I created a StoryBrand Marketing Agency.
All in all, your business isn’t just another brick in the wall—it’s something special. Your story matters, and I’m here to help you share it in a way that feels real, connects with people, and gets results.
As a certified StoryBrand Guide, I specialize in turning complicated ideas into clear, compelling messages that resonate with your audience.
With a background in journalism, I’ve spent decades telling stories that matter and crafting content people want to read.
I’ve developed a proven system to help businesses like yours cut through all the AI trash that's out there and build genuine connections with their audience.
Your story isn’t just important—it’s the reason people will choose your business. Let’s make sure it’s heard loud and clear by the people who need it most.
And sorry if I got Pink Floyd stuck in your head just now...
Hear Directly from DONALD MILLER
In this short clip, StoryBrand’s founder Donald Miller explains why clear messaging and a simple marketing plan change everything.
Donald shares why newsletters are back, what a full StoryBrand campaign includes, and how a certified guide helps you focus on what actually works—without wasting money or time.
Watch to see how working with a StoryBrand Certified Guide can make a measurable difference for your business.
EVERYTHING STORYBRAND, ALL IN ONE PLACE
Whether you need help with strategy, websites, content, or SEO, I offer the full range of StoryBrand marketing services—done with you or done for you.
StoryBrand Framework
StoryBrand Wireframe
StoryBrand Websites
StoryBrand SEO
StoryBrand Video
StoryBrand Copywriting
StoryBrand Email Sequences
StoryBrand Marketing Funnels
StoryBrand Workshops
StoryBrand Consulting
StoryBrand PPC
StoryBrand Lead Generation
StoryBrand
Social Media
StoryBrand Strategy
StoryBrand Content Marketing
StoryBrand Local Service
StoryBrand Coaching
MARKETING THAT DOESN’T TAKE OVER YOUR LIFE
Whether you want to build it yourself or hand it off completely, as a StoryBrand Marketing Agency, we’ll give you a clear message and a simple system that actually works.
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BOOK A COFFEE CHAT
This is a no-pressure, non-sales call where we discuss what’s working, what’s not, and where you want to go.
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CHOOSE YOUR PATH
Get hands-on support through the StoryBrand Course, 1:1 or team coaching, or let me build the entire marketing system for you—messaging, website, emails, and more.
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FIX YOUR MARKETING
Walk away with a message that resonates, a plan that’s easy to follow, and marketing that works while you sleep and finally delivers results.
COFFEE’S ON ME (OK, NOT REALLY)
But I'm serious about helping you connect with your audience. Let’s grab a coffee (on Zoom) and chat about your marketing goals.
Wondering how to simplify your message? Let’s talk.
Ready to stand out in an AI-saturated world? I’ve got ideas.
Just need clarity? I’ll help you see the big picture.
This isn’t a sales call—just a friendly, low-pressure chat. At the very least, you’ll walk away with some cool ideas you can try on your own.
SCHEDULE YOUR COFFEE CHAT WITH ME (VICKY) TODAY
FIXING YOUR MARKETING SHOULDN’T FEEL IMPOSSIBLE
Most small business owners aren’t marketers—they just want to explain what they do in a way that makes people care.
But when the message isn’t clear, everything else gets harder: websites don’t convert, leads go cold, and social posts fall flat.
You might worry that getting it right will take too much time, cost too much money, or feel like just another online course you’ll never finish.
That’s why I offer three simple paths: do-it-together support through the StoryBrand Course, 1:1 and team coaching, or done-for-you services where I build your full funnel myself.
You’ll get clear messaging, practical templates, and real support—so your marketing finally works and your business actually grows.
YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
We know marketing can feel overwhelming, and you probably have questions. That’s why we’ve put together answers to the things people ask us most.
What makes Strategic Marketing Tribe different from other StoryBrand marketing agencies?
We’re the StoryBrand marketing agency that skips the boring "corporate speak." We blend the power of StoryBrand with strategic marketing solutions to craft content that feels human, genuine, and impossible to ignore.
How can your strategic marketing solutions benefit my business?
Our strategic marketing solutions simplify your message, clarify your brand story, and help you connect with your ideal customers. It’s marketing that makes sense and gets results – no jargon, no gimmicks, just growth.
What is StoryBrand, and why does it matter?
Think of StoryBrand as a cheat sheet for marketing clarity. It helps you explain what you do in a way that makes people stop, listen, and say, “Oh, I get it.” We use it to create marketing that feels human and that your audience will actually enjoy reading.
Do I need to be familiar with StoryBrand to work with you?
Not at all! Whether you’re a StoryBrand superfan (like us!) or have no idea what it is, we’ll walk you through everything. We’re here to make the process simple, clear, and (dare we say) fun.
How do I know if this is right for my business?
If people keep saying “I don’t really get what you do,” or you’re getting the wrong kind of leads, it’s a sign your message needs work. That’s what we fix.
What if I don’t have time to take a course?
The course is built for time-strapped business owners. You get short lessons, plug-and-play templates, and live support so you’re never stuck or overwhelmed.
What’s the difference between the course and the done-for-you service?
The course gives you training, tools, and weekly support so you can do it yourself. The done-for-you option means I build your whole funnel for you.
How long does it take to see results?
Most people see clearer messaging and better engagement within a week of applying the one-liner. Bigger results (like leads and conversions) follow as you apply it across your marketing.
What if I’ve already tried StoryBrand and it didn’t work?
Many people try to apply StoryBrand on their own and miss key parts. This course walks you through it step-by-step, with real examples and live feedback from a Certified Guide.
STORY, MEET STRATEGY
Let’s make marketing feel less robotic and more real. Find resources from a StoryBrand Marketing Agency that bring your message—and your business—to life.
OpenAI’s Billion-Dollar Loop: Is the AI Boom a Bubble?
By Vicky Sidler | Published 30 October 2025 at 12:00 GMT+2
If you’ve ever wondered how ChatGPT keeps getting smarter while your laptop still freezes on a spreadsheet, the answer is a global web of cash, chips, and contracts so tangled it makes your tax return look simple.
According to Visual Capitalist’s Made Visual Daily, OpenAI’s empire runs on a closed loop of money and hardware that circles between a few trillion-dollar players—Microsoft, Nvidia, TSMC, and Oracle. Together, they fuel the machines that train the AI models we now casually ask to summarise our emails.
TL;DR:
OpenAI’s success relies on a tight circle of corporate partners, led by Microsoft and Nvidia
The AI sector’s funding and hardware supply are so interlinked they may form a bubble
GPU chips are now a global commodity—and even collateral for loans
👉 Need help getting your message right? Download the 5-Minute Marketing Fix
Table of Contents:
OpenAI’s Billion-Dollar Loop: Is the AI Boom a Bubble?
The Hidden Machinery Behind ChatGPT:
What This Means for Small Businesses:
FAQs on OpenAI’s Billion-Dollar Loop and the AI Bubble
1. What does “closed-loop capital” mean in the context of OpenAI?
2. Why are GPUs so important to AI companies?
3. How could this “AI bubble” affect small business owners?
4. Is there a real risk of an AI crash similar to the dot-com bubble?
5. Why are AI chips being used as loan collateral?
6. How can small business owners protect themselves from AI market volatility?
7. Is AI adoption still worth it for small businesses?
8. What should I do before investing in AI tools or subscriptions?
The Hidden Machinery Behind ChatGPT:
Behind every chatbot answer sits an industrial network of chip designers, cloud providers, and data warehouses. Nvidia designs the chips. TSMC fabricates them in Taiwan. They’re assembled by Foxconn, built into servers by Supermicro, and shipped to cloud providers like Microsoft Azure and CoreWeave.
It’s a process so intricate that one hiccup in a supply chain or policy decision can ripple through the global economy. The U.S. is already restricting exports of these chips to China, while others are rushing to build local alternatives. Demand has grown so intense that some startups literally use GPUs as collateral for loans. Yes—computer chips are now bankable assets.
When Money Chases Itself:
The real plot twist comes when you trace where the money goes. Microsoft has invested over $13 billion in OpenAI. OpenAI then buys compute power from Microsoft’s Azure platform. Azure, in turn, runs on Nvidia chips, which Microsoft helps to purchase through bulk contracts. CoreWeave joins in by renting Nvidia hardware back to other AI companies, using private investors’ money to do it.
It’s the corporate version of passing the same R200 note around the dinner table and calling everyone rich.
This circular financing—what some analysts are calling a “closed loop”—makes the system fragile. If demand slows or investors lose confidence, the whole chain could seize up. It’s reminiscent of the dot-com era when enthusiasm and venture cash outpaced long-term value.
What This Means for Small Businesses:
You might be wondering why any of this matters if you’re not sitting on a data centre. Here’s why.
Tech bubbles shape the tools and platforms you use. If this AI ecosystem stumbles, smaller companies depending on its software—like marketing tools, automation systems, or AI assistants—could face price hikes, slower updates, or service disruptions.
The smart move is to use AI tools that fit your strategy, not your fear of missing out. Build marketing systems that still work if your favourite platform suddenly raises prices or goes offline. In short, don’t build your business on borrowed GPUs.
AI may power the next decade of innovation, but real growth still depends on clarity, not hype. Start by getting your message right before you plug in the tech.
My free 5-Minute Marketing Fix can write a one-liner that works whether the AI boom keeps rising—or bursts.
Related Articles:
1. The AI Boom is Costing More Than It’s Making. Here’s What Small Business Owners Should Know Before Jumping In.
This article expands on the OpenAI discussion by showing how massive AI investments often fail to deliver profits. It helps small business owners weigh hype against real returns and choose AI tools that add measurable value.
If the rising costs of AI infrastructure made you raise an eyebrow, this one explains why software prices are climbing too. Learn how to avoid overspending while still accessing tools that move your marketing forward.
Curious whether AI lives up to the productivity claims? This post breaks down where it truly supports creative work, where it stumbles, and how to keep your edge without losing time chasing trends.
The OpenAI article hinted at the risks of dependency and overconfidence. This one shows what happens when companies get it wrong—with practical steps you can take to keep your brand safe and credible.
AI’s efficiency promise hasn’t quite panned out. This piece digs into why operational costs are rising and offers strategies to keep your business agile, even when the tech world gets expensive.
FAQs on OpenAI’s Billion-Dollar Loop and the AI Bubble
1. What does “closed-loop capital” mean in the context of OpenAI?
It refers to how money circulates between the same few companies—Microsoft, Nvidia, and OpenAI—without leaving the ecosystem. Microsoft funds OpenAI, OpenAI buys compute power from Microsoft’s Azure, which runs on Nvidia chips that Microsoft also helps purchase. It’s a financially self-reinforcing cycle that could amplify risk if demand or funding slows down.
2. Why are GPUs so important to AI companies?
GPUs (graphics processing units) are the hardware that powers AI model training. They handle complex calculations far faster than normal computer chips. Nvidia designs these GPUs, TSMC fabricates them, and cloud providers like Microsoft Azure and CoreWeave rent them out to companies like OpenAI. Without GPUs, advanced AI models like ChatGPT can’t run efficiently—or at all.
3. How could this “AI bubble” affect small business owners?
If the AI sector’s tightly linked funding structure falters, small businesses relying on AI tools might feel the impact through price hikes, slower updates, or service outages. Many popular tools are built on the same infrastructure that OpenAI uses. A disruption there could ripple through the ecosystem.
4. Is there a real risk of an AI crash similar to the dot-com bubble?
It’s possible. Analysts are warning that too much investor money is chasing limited compute resources and unproven revenue models. Like the early 2000s internet boom, the danger isn’t innovation—it’s overvaluation. The companies are sound, but expectations might be inflated.
5. Why are AI chips being used as loan collateral?
Because GPUs have become so valuable and scarce that they now act as physical assets. Cloud providers and startups sometimes pledge them as security for financing. It’s a sign of both the demand for compute power and the speculative nature of the market.
6. How can small business owners protect themselves from AI market volatility?
Use AI tools strategically, not emotionally. Focus on tools that directly support your marketing or operations goals. Build systems that work even if one tool changes pricing or shuts down. Clarity and consistency in your brand message will outlast any tech bubble.
7. Is AI adoption still worth it for small businesses?
Yes—but with clear expectations. AI can boost productivity, automate tasks, and improve targeting. The key is to treat it as a support system, not a shortcut. When used with a strong message and strategy, it can magnify results without adding chaos.
8. What should I do before investing in AI tools or subscriptions?
Start by clarifying what problem you’re solving. Then test one tool at a time, measure results, and make sure it fits your long-term marketing plan. And if your message isn’t clear yet, begin there.
👉 Download the5-Minute Marketing Fix to write a one-liner that strengthens your brand message—before you invest in another AI tool.
Is your Marketing Message so confusing even your own mom doesn’t get it? Let's clarify your message—so everyone wants to work with you!
Created with clarity (and coffee)