ABOUT
I'm Karin Oliver-Kreft, and I started Kreftwerk because I got tired of watching good businesses get burned by big agencies.
You know the drill: massive retainers, endless meetings, strategies that sound impressive but don't actually help you sell anything. Contracts that lock you in. Consultants who talk a big game but can't execute. Teams that make you feel stupid for asking questions about your own business.
That's not how I work.
I build marketing for small business owners who:
• Know their craft and take pride in what they make or do
• Need professional marketing but don't have agency budgets
• Want someone who can actually DO the work, not just talk about it
• Value straight talk over corporate babble
• Understand that work is what pays the bills—it shouldn't consume your entire life
I work with tradespeople, makers, service providers, and small business owners who built their companies to fill a real gap in the market—not just to compete for competition's sake.
How I'm Different
I build it AND teach you how to run it.
Most agencies want you dependent on them forever. I want you empowered. I can build your marketing systems for you, OR I can teach you how to do it yourself, OR we can do a mix—whatever makes sense for your business and budget.
No endless retainer
We agree on what we're doing, I do it, you pay for it, we're done. If you need more help later, great. If not, that's fine too. You're not locked in.
I actually do the work
I'm not a strategist who hands off execution to a junior team and lets them figure it out from there. I write the copy, design the materials, build the websites, produce the videos, create the campaigns. And I make sure you are clear on how it works and what needs to happen next. You work with me, not a revolving door of account managers.
I respect your time and knowledge
You know your business better than I ever will. I know marketing. Together, we figure out what works. I don't change the plan mid-stream, move goalposts, or question every detail. We agree on a direction and execute it.
I finish what I start
When I hand you finished work, it actually works. You get documentation, training if you need it, and a clean handoff so your team can maintain it. No half-finished projects. No dependencies.
Who I Work With
I've worked with senior living facilities, arts organizations, food producers, specialty retailers, professional services firms, personal development organizations, and more across 30 years.
My ideal clients are:
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Small businesses ($500K–$5M revenue)
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Owner-operators who care about quality
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Service businesses (trades, consulting, professional services)
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Product companies (food, beverage, manufacturing, retail)
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Nonprofits and community organizations
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Anyone who values honest work and straight talk
Industry matters less than values.
If you want a partner who builds quality work, respects your budget, and treats you like an adult—let's talk.
