Katrina J. McBride is the principal and lead consultant for eXo associates, Inc., whose mission is to provide small to mid-sized businesses and entrepreneurs with resources and tools they need to market effectively, generating market share growth through alliance-based marketing.
 
Katrina joined NAWBO in February 2002, with the goal to learn and gain strength from established women business owners and become a mentor to new business women.  She is an active member of the Membership Committee because, as she says, “I understand the benefits of keeping our chapter healthy and growing, and I am passionate about supporting women in business.  By inviting others to join NAWBO, we draw on one another’s strength and provide the encouragement, resources and sense of purpose a new business owner needs.”  Katrina points out that she has experienced this firsthand because, “already--in just seven months--I have made contacts and friends with members that have expanded my business opportunities exponentially.”
 
Katrina enjoys seeing a small business owner’s eyes light up when she realizes that she can grow her business without a huge budget.  Additionally, the entire process of building the networks that are the core of targeted alliance marketing brings her joy.
 
In her personal life, Katrina says that she must maintain a left- and right-brain balance to keep her sanity.  To do so, she designs and creates jewelry, collects first-edition children’s books, and roams around flea markets and antique shops.  She is also pursuing a master’s degree in organizational management.  To further support NAWBO, Katrina has contributed two of her “Mad Cat” designs to NAWBO events – the Golf Tournament silent auction on October 21, and the November New Member Outreach Event.
 
Katrina and her husband are passionate about the environment and are active in several organizations that work to reduce and correct its destruction.  They also love animals and are supporters of ASPCA and Operation Kindness. 
 
When asked what else her fellow NAWBO members should know about her and eXo Associates, Katrina adds, “While small and medium-sized businesses are the focus of eXo, I am also skilled at lead generation and channel market consulting and implementation.  I have had the opportunity to develop and implement process and programs for a large telecom manufacturer and several telecom service providers.  And I hope to include team coaching and mentoring to the marketing mix of eXo in the next 12 to 18 months.  I believe this is a perfect complement to alliance- based marketing, which is based on relationship-building and embracing new ideas.”