About handshake marketing
Award-winning, people-first marketing strategy for small businesses and nonprofits in Alberta.
Hi! I’m Liz Jimenez Agudelo, founder of Handshake Marketing, an award-winning marketing strategy studio based in Leduc, Alberta and serving clients across Edmonton and surrounding areas.
Handshake Marketing helps service-based small businesses, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit organizations make sense of their marketing through clear strategy, practical support, relationship-driven messaging, website strategy, local SEO, marketing training, and implementation guidance.
At the heart of my work is one simple belief:
People come first, and marketing should support the humans behind the business.
I work with business owners and leaders who care deeply about what they do, but often feel overwhelmed, scattered, or unsure about where to focus their marketing energy. You don’t need more noise, pressure, or “post more” advice. You need clarity, direction, and a plan that fits your real life.
That’s where Handshake Marketing comes in.
Marketing for people who care about other people
I don’t believe in hustle-culture marketing, one-size-fits-all strategies, or making people feel like they have to become someone else to be visible online.
My work blends:
- strategic marketing thinking
- real-world small business experience
- website and messaging strategy
- local SEO awareness
- relationship-based marketing
- training, coaching, and implementation support
The goal isn’t perfection or constant output.
The goal is clarity, confidence, and consistency, so that your marketing actually works for you, your clients, and your capacity.
Clients often tell me they feel:
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less overwhelmed
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more confident in their decisions
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clear on what to focus on (and what to ignore)
I’m here to help you untangle the mess in your head, ask better questions, and move forward with intention, whether that’s through strategy, training, or ongoing support.
Who is handshake Marketing for?
I often work with:
- founders who are good at what they do, but tired of guessing when it comes to marketing
- small business owners and solopreneurs
- non-profit organizations and community-based teams
- wellness, coaching, consulting, education, and other professional service providers
- local businesses that want stronger messaging, websites, and online visibility
Whether we’re building a marketing strategy, improving your website, clarifying your message, strengthening your local SEO, or creating a plan you can actually follow, my role is to help you identify a marketing plan that aligns with your values and mission.
A small studio model with trusted expert support
Handshake Marketing is led by me, Liz, but I don’t believe every project should be squeezed through one person’s skill set.
Depending on the needs of the client and the scope of the project, I may collaborate with a small team of trusted experts on a per-project basis. This may include specialists in areas such as web design, SEO, paid ads, technical support, or creative production.
This flexible studio model allows my clients to receive strategic leadership from Handshake Marketing while also benefiting from the right expertise at the right time without unnecessary complexity or bloated agency layers.
REcognition, memberships, and professional communities
Handshake Marketing is proud to be part of the local Alberta business community.
Liz Jimenez Agudelo and Handshake Marketing are:
- A proud member of The Chamber of Commerce for the Leduc, Nisku, and Wetaskiwin Regions
- Winner of the 2025 Start-Up Business of the Year Award in Leduc and Nisku, Alberta through The Chamber
- Nominated for the Marketing Award of Distinction through the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction
- Part of Local SEO Academy, an expert learning community focused on local search visibility
- Part of Web Designer Pro, a professional community for web designers, strategists, and digital service providers
These communities and recognitions reflect my commitment to ongoing learning, strong local relationships, ethical marketing, and high-quality work for the clients I serve.
Handshake Marketing is a proud member of The Chamber in Leduc, Nisku, and Wetaskiwin Regions
Winner of the 2025 Start-Up Business of the Year Award in Leduc, Nisku, and Wetaskiwin Regions
Nominated for the Marketing Award of Distinction through the Alberta Chambers of Commerce & the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction
Part of Local SEO Academy, an expert learning community community focused on local search visibility
Part of Web Designer Pro, a professional community for web designers, strategists, and digital service providers
At the heart of it, I’m a people person.
I value relationships, honest conversations, practical strategy, and doing good work that actually helps.
If you want marketing that feels aligned, supportive, and clear… you’re in the right place!
Ready to take the next step?
Liz Jimenez Agudelo
Founder of Handshake Marketing
Liz Jimenez Agudelo is the founder of Handshake Marketing, an award-winning marketing strategy studio based in Leduc, Alberta. Through Handshake Marketing, Liz helps small business owners, service providers, entrepreneurs, and non-profit organizations create clear, people-first marketing strategies that support growth without overwhelm. Her work includes marketing strategy, website strategy, local SEO guidance, messaging, training, and implementation support. Liz is a member of The Chamber of Commerce for the Leduc, Nisku, and Wetaskiwin Regions, winner of the 2025 Start-Up Business of the Year Award in Leduc and Nisku, Alberta, and a nominee for the Marketing Award of Distinction through the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction.