Hidden Gems: Meet Anna-Vija McCloud of Piccolo Solutions

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna-Vija McCloud

Hi Anna-Vija, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In the spring of 2014, I was on Unemployment and trying to find a good job that fit my experience and skills but only coming up with part-time contractor gigs. I was also clinically depressed and having panic attacks. I was spending most days in my house looking online for new opportunities but I did manage to get myself to a few networking events that I had frequented when I was managing the Nashville City Club the year before. Many of my networking partners knew that I was looking for a job, and in the meantime, they offered me some marketing project work.

After several of these opportunities came along, I started to notice a trend. Smaller business owners didn’t have great options for growing their business with marketing. At the time, there were far fewer independent marketing firms in the Nashville area. Owners of smaller, growing companies had the choice of hiring a full-time in-house Marketing Director (likely costing between $50,000 and $120,000 per year plus benefits), hiring a larger ”box agency” that generally specialize in creative development at higher project fees, or trying to find someone on Craigslist that would be affordable, but would need to be directed and managed every step of the way.

I got great feedback from my first few engagements, and realized there was an opportunity to create a marketing firm “built for small businesses.” At the time, my goal was just to pay my bills. With my background in hospitality and private club management, I was experienced at researching new marketing resources, developing strategies, and creating content on a shoestring budget. A little desperate, and a little bold, I decided to open my own agency/ consulting business.

Using what I knew about marketing and the power of referral leads, I put together an email blast announcing my new venture and sent it to everyone in my CRM (maybe 2,000 people?). I got several immediate responses, and within the first 6 months, I had 17 new clients. It was growing so quickly that I had to hire part-time help. Our initial clients paid small fees, but we’re so happy with the work that I was able to increase my services and pricing over time. There’s such a huge market for outsourced marketing in Nashville, that we have grown steadily ever since!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I struggle with depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. I started my company in March of 2014 when I was at my lowest point. I was on unemployment and struggling very hard with mental health challenges. I knew that continuing to hide in my house searching for job listings online and going to an occasional networking event when I could muster the strength wasn’t the answer.

Although I had heard it many times before, a friend at the time gave me a cartoon drawing of a man eating an elephant – “one bite at a time.” I adopted that principle and have been using it in my personal and professional life ever since. I decided to start my own company and see if I could make enough to pay my bills. I sent out an email to everyone in my list asking for referrals and within 6 months had 17 clients. I called my friend Tom Starling at Mental Health America of Middle Tennessee and asked for recommendations to a therapist. I started seeing him once a week. I started taking my dog for walks, trying to eat better, and staying off of social media more.

Over time, I felt better engaging with clients and helping them grow their business made me feel better about myself, and I started hiring people to help with the growing workload. Keeping in mind that my mental health had been hugely affected by the toxicity of my past jobs, I made a decision to be a leader that cared about my people first and built systems to ensure that would scale as my company did. Piccolo Solutions has to a multi-million dollar firm, has low employee turnover, and our regular employee satisfaction surveys average 4.5 out of 5.

Through this whole experience, I have learned that leadership is not about being perfect. It’s about having a goal, treating people well, and eating my elephant one bite at a time.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Piccolo Solutions is a unique group of experts who are equipped to handle all aspects of marketing by providing outside perspective and strategy, Fractional CMO expertise, and full-service marketing campaigns. We offer the services and client care of an experienced marketing department, including Strategy & Branding, Website Development, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media, and Email Management.

Piccolo has a special understanding of the pains and struggles that businesses face when it comes to marketing their company, reaching new customers, and retaining their current client base. We provide customized solutions to solve these problems and strategies that have helped independent business owners and multimillion-dollar organizations reach unprecedented results and successfully build their brands.

We like to “meet people where they are.”
– This could mean a new business that needs a launch with a logo, message, and website.
– This could be a client that needs a fresh perspective, with a comprehensive marketing assessment and step by step strategy to scale their impact.
– This may be a company that needs a full marketing department – experts to handle all their marketing activities, and/or a Fractional CMO to lead the efforts.
– This may be a flyer. Like, a single graphic design for a flyer.

Whatever level people are at, we’re here to help them take a solid step forward with the custom help they need.

As a small business, we understand our clients. Marketing isn’t just pushing out posts on Instagram and hoping that leads call. It’s diving down into who your audience is, what problems they have, and crafting your story to help guide them to a solution. It’s different for every business, and we’re here to help you take your next step.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I think risk-taking is an essential part of growth—both in business and in life. But I don’t believe in taking risks just for the sake of it. For me, risk is about calculated decisions. It’s about weighing the potential upside against the possible downside and making a move with intention.

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was launching Piccolo Solutions. I left the security of a traditional career path to build something on my own, with no guarantees. I bet on myself, my skills, and my ability to create a company that not only supports my own goals but also helps other businesses thrive. There was no roadmap, no safety net—just the belief that if I approached it strategically and stayed adaptable, I could make it work.

That mindset extends to how I approach risk today. Whether it’s expanding service offerings, hiring the right people, or stepping into new markets, I always ask: Is this aligned with my long-term vision? What’s the worst-case scenario? Can I mitigate it? If the potential upside outweighs the risk, I’m willing to take the leap.

At the end of the day, I see risk as an opportunity. It’s never about reckless moves—it’s about smart, informed decisions that push you forward.

Pricing:

• Marketing Launchpad – $3995
• New Company Launch Package – $2500
• Monthly Content Package – $995
• Monthly Virtual Project Manager – $800

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.piccolosolutions.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annavija/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annavijamccloud/