AGE:35
POSITION: President, New England Division, Precision Web Marketing LLC
RESIDENCE: North Providence
LIFELONG AMBITION: To have a child and run successful business
FAVORITE BOOK: “The Sassy Ladies’ Guide: How to Be Successful In Your First Year Of Business,” the book she’s co-writing
GUILTY PLEASURE: Days off with her kids
Michelle Girasole has worked in marketing communications for more than 13 years, gaining experience in a range of consumer, corporate and business-to-business accounts. She has done event marketing, public relations, direct mail, print advertising and more.
After earning her MBA from the University of Rhode Island, Girasole joined PharmaCare, a CVS Corp. subsidiary, as an account manager, working with major clients such as the World Bank, BMW, Gerber Children’s Wear, Hitachi Electric and others. In short order, Girasole took over the management of PharmaCare’s marketing communications department, including proposals, the Web site, trade shows, and direct mail activities.
In 2000, Girasole was hired to rebrand Mapletree Networks, a high-tech startup in the telecommunications equipment field. She created a new line of marketing materials, built a new Web site and employee intranet, handled PR, managed trade shows and more; the company went on to be sold to Performance Technology.
Girasole opened her own agency in 2002, Next Step Web Advertising, and her online marketing programs for Kullberg Consulting Group, the Verizon-Bryant Telecommunications Center, the Center for Women & Enterprise and Roger Williams Park Zoo caught the attention of Precision Web Marketing, leading to a merger in April 2005.
Now Girasole leads a Precision training center in Warwick to teach marketing professionals and entrepreneurs how to succeed in marketing their businesses online.
While online marketing is Girasole’s specialty, she also provides expert assistance to community organizations and has a passion for helping entrepreneurs succeed. She has provided consulting services through the R.I. Small Business Development Center and has been a Business Volunteer for the Arts as well. In addition, with the Entrepreneur Forum of New England, Girasole co-founded a peer-to-peer advisory team for entrepreneurs.
Last year, Girasole launched The Sassy Ladies LLC, which is producing a digital and print-format book on women and entrepreneurship. There’s also an iTunes podcast called “Mind Your Own Business,” and it’s made the Top 10 under the topic “women entrepreneurs.”
