New Cumberland marketer aims to rebuild trust in industry by helping small businesses

Richie Treadway

Business Name: Richie Treadway—Digital Marketing for Local Business

Years in business: 6 months

Location: New Cumberland

Q: Why did you want to start this kind of business?

A: I have always loved writing and being creative. I believe every business has a story to tell, and every business owner a passion to be expressed. But you can’t just have a good story. You have to get that story in front of the people it will truly connect with. I understand that small business owners are far too busy running their business to keep up with Google updates to the search algorithm or new trends in social marketing. So, I started a business where I get to use my love for storytelling and my knowledge of marketing to help them be seen, without adding to their already hectic workload.

Q: How did you get your start?

A: I started by building my own websites while in college and experimenting with how to move them up in search rankings. This got me hands-on experience with SEO, a creative outlet for writing and a way to practice what I learned in school. I also took on freelance work for friends who ran their own marketing agencies and worked with clients through platforms like Fiverr and UpWork. As soon as I finished schooling in December 2024 I wanted to start my business. I’ve already spent decades working for other people, and now I’m excited to see what I can do on my own.

Q: What does your business sell or provide?

A: I help small businesses get the kind of marketing support they actually need. While I specialize in local SEO, I know no two businesses are the same. Some have their website and social media nailed but need help with paid ads or offline strategies. Others just need a bit of guidance or advice to move in the right direction, which I’m happy to offer freely. I meet them where they are and provide solutions that fit, not a pre-loaded one-size-fits-all plan.

Q: What is the biggest challenge you are facing right now?

A: The biggest challenge is cutting through the doubt in an industry full of overpromises. I haven’t spoken to a business owner yet that hasn’t been burned by “set-it-and-forget-it” marketing packages, or a random person from Facebook calling themselves a marketer and charging an arm and a leg because they watched a few videos on YouTube. There’s a level of skepticism to overcome. I work hard to rebuild that trust by being transparent about what’s working, what isn’t and how we’ll adjust. I prefer to work locally so I can meet clients in their place-of-business and talk with them face-to-face. Marketing should be a partnership, not a gamble.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do or place in Cumberland County?

A: I love exploring with my 3-year-old son; he tags along to almost all my client meetings. Where I grew up, we didn’t really know our neighbors, and we never just “ran into them” while out shopping or at a restaurant. It was a world of strangers. Everyone kept to themselves and that’s the way they liked it. The people here are different, kinder. In Cumberland County you get to see the world through the eyes of your neighbor, and I want him to experience that.