Let's Think!
Me
nlt-01
Let's Think!
Me

About Us

When we created NextLevel Thinking, we set out to build a virtual firm that combines the disciplines of marketing strategy and creative thinking.

That is our core competency!!!

Our Client Experience Team

Eric Poerschke

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Kate Buchanan

Kate Buchanan

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Kristen Dyson

Kristen Dyson

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Emily Hemenway

Emily Hemenway

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Angie De La Cruz

Angie De La Cruz

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Kyle Poerschke

Kyle Poerschke

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Amir Gooden

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Maegan Meynig

Maegan Meynig

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Tara Lockhart

Tara Lockhart

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Oana Borcoman

Oana Borcoman

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Scott Blair

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Tailored Solutions from our Marketing Consulting Team

Our World Headquarters is located in Houston, Texas and our associates are located all over the US. For each of our projects, we put together a team that is specially qualified to address your unique needs.

Creative Thinking

Website Design and Development

Copywriting

Competitive Intelligence

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Search Engine Marketing (SEM)

Graphic Design

Logo Creation

Photography

Qualitative Marketing Research

Quantitative Marketing Research

Media Planning and Placement

Our Purpose

Challenging organizations to discover who they are, understand what business they are actually in, and confidently articulate their why.

Our Core Values

blue and gold eye emblem, symbolizing the marketing firm's philosophy of discerning and fulfilling the true needs of clients
Giving the client what they need, not just what they want.
Seeing the needs of a client is our specialty. Being able to help the client understand what they need beyond what they want is our distinctive approach.
Icon of three figures at a table, symbolizing client-focused guidance and growth
We listen before we lead.

We listen to our client, study their marketplace, and talk to their customers. It’s only after this communication takes place that we are fully equipped to lead them on a journey of discovery and growth.

Icon of a head with a clock, signifying strategic timing for business growth
Everyone needs what we offer. They just may not be ready for it.
Clients usually understand that real sustained growth requires work and plenty of company soul searching. Not every organization is currently equipped to take on this type of initiative. We’re willing to wait until the timing is right for both of us.

How Our Team Uses Working Genius

What is “Working Genius”? Working Genius is a system of identifying and leveraging one’s natural talents and preferred ways of working in order to achieve greater success and satisfaction in your career and personal life. It was developed by Patrick Lencioni, a management consultant and author, and is based on his earlier work on the five dysfunctions of a team.

The NLT Team uses Working Genius both internally and with clients to create the most personalized experience possible.
Learn More About WG

Eric Poerschke

Managing Partner

The Intuitive Activator

The Intuitive Activator stands out for their ability to quickly initiate action and kickstart projects with a blend of instinct and momentum. Their strength lies in their spontaneous energy and knack for turning concepts into tangible actions, making them invaluable in dynamic environments.

Discernment, Galvanizing

Learn more about how our team utilizes Working Genius.

a psychologist!

My absolute best days are when we’re able to help a client see their business differently. It’s usually at this point when things begin to take off and the effectiveness of what we can do for them begins to be realized both internally and externally in a very powerful way.

don’t get too high on the highs and too low on the lows. This advice was from my high school basketball coach.

I think it would be so cool to be able to fly. The different vantage points would be amazing and the ability to get places quickly would be awesome.

As a young fella, I probably wanted to be the usual things like a policeman, fireman, etc. But from high school on, I have always wanted to own my own business. In graduate school, my buddies were sure that I would make a living helping people/organizations see things from a different perspective. They were right!

Be prepared to deliver absolute excellence, while being part of a very caring, results-oriented, drama-free work environment.

There are a whole bunch of food categories that I wish had zero calories. If I had to pick one, it would definitely be tortilla chips with guacamole, chili con queso and/or salsa.

My favorite thing to do, by far, is to hang out with my family…Tracy, Erin, Trey and Kyle. My peeps!

I think giving the client what they need, not just what they want really defines NextLevel Thinking. We have seen some extraordinary results from those clients that have really embraced this collaborative approach.

Kate Buchanan

Kate Buchanan

Director – The NLT WAY

The Judicious Accomplisher

The Judicious Accomplisher is skilled at making well-informed decisions and persisting until tasks are fully completed. They excel in analytical thinking and ensuring that tasks are not only undertaken but seen through with diligence and precision.

Discernment, Tenacity

Learn more about how our team utilizes Working Genius.

probably a Christmas Elf. Friends and family tell me that I’m cheerful, upbeat, and notice my desire to help others.

The most inspiring part of my job is truly taking a business to the next level by better articulating who they are, and how their clients see them. We get to do some fun things that make a huge impact!

love God, love others, succeed at home first and always be grateful and gracious.

A huge fan of Harry Potter, I’d love the ability to rearrange an entire room with the flick of my wand, or the ability to transport from one location to another, and the trickster in me would also have fun making a tail appear on family and friends.

When I was little, I loved creating things. One time I created a house, furniture, and people all out of pipe cleaners. So maybe an interior designer or artist? I’ve also always wanted to be a mom.

Be ready for anything! We are learning new things everyday because we have awesome clients in a variety of markets. Not every project looks the same, in fact, most of them look very different. We meet our clients where they are at, and we help them grow in the direction they want to go.

My favorite dessert…Berry Cobbler and Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream!

In my spare time, you will find me working out at Pure Barre, enjoying beautiful New Braunfels by spending time outdoors by the Comal River with my golden doodle, Biscuit, or spending time with my church community, specifically my 6th and 7th grade girls I mentor and love dearly.

We listen before we lead” resonates with me the most. On many occasions I find myself wanting to jump headfirst into a project. In order to deliver the best end result, it is critical for our team to listen closely and fully understand our client’s needs before executing on a project. Once we listen, we can then lead our clients in the best direction. Oftentimes, it is a direction they have not thought of before.

Kristen Dyson

Kristen Dyson

Senior Account / Content Manager

The Insightful Collaborator

The Insightful Collaborator excels in providing valuable insights and supporting others in their tasks, combining Discernment and Enablement effectively. They are adept at understanding complex situations and using this knowledge to assist and empower their team members.

Discernment, Enablement

Learn more about how our team utilizes Working Genius.

a horse wrangler on a dude ranch in Montana. In my spare time, I enjoyed penning novels, boating, making casseroles and cake decorating for the town’s local bakery.

Working with a variety of different clients in different industries. I always say having clients is like having children; each one is unique, and I learn so much from them!

you can be right or you can be dead right.

The ability to feel fully rested after approximately 38 minutes of sleep.

A veterinarian. I learned pretty quickly that wasn’t in the cards for me after discovering an intolerance for guts and blood.

Ask questions, unleash your curiosity and don’t be afraid to be the odd one out.

Definitely cake.

Spend time with my family, read, work out, play with my dog, bake, enjoy the great outdoors, listen to podcasts and watch reruns of Mad Men.

Giving the client what they need, not just what they want.

Emily Hemenway

Emily Hemenway

Account Manager

The Visionary Finisher

The Visionary Finisher combines the ability to conceive grand ideas with the perseverance to see them through to completion. They are adept at maintaining focus and enthusiasm from the conceptual stage all the way to the project’s end, bridging the gap between dreaming and doing.

Wonder, Tenacity

Learn more about how our team utilizes Working Genius.

I was most likely a deer because I am long and clumsy…or a cup of coffee.

Seeing the impact our involvement makes on our clients inspires me to do my best on even the smallest of tasks.

nobody will ever remember what you accomplished or how pretty or funny or successful you were, they will only remember how you treated them.

Mind-reading, but I’m sure I would get tired of it after a while.

A veterinarian, an ice skater, a gymnast…it changed weekly.

This is a team that promotes healthy communication and a willingness to learn, so bring those things to the table.

Hot Cheetos with lime! I already act like they have zero calories.

I love creative writing and photography and I do those as often as I can.

“We listen before we lead” – mostly because that is the one I aim to grow in the most.

Angie De La Cruz

Angie De La Cruz

Account Manager
The Loyal Finisher

The Loyal Finisher is distinguished by their exceptional dedication to completing tasks and their meticulous attention to detail. They excel in ensuring projects are not only finished but also meet high standards, making them reliable and essential in any team.

Enablement, Tenacity

Learn more about how our team utilizes Working Genius.

a bird! Maybe a tropical, colorful parrot or a peace-loving dove or an outgoing peacock. Or a combination of all three? Flying freely, discovering new places, having fun, and landing in different spots to hang out with other birds.

Helping clients find creative and unique solutions to marketing problems they’ve been struggling with.

passed on by my mother from my grandfather:

“La Verdadera inteligencia radica en saber utilizar las otras inteligencias” which translates to “True intelligence lies in knowing how to make use of other intelligences.”

Learning how to work as a team and take advantage of the different strengths each person brings makes all the difference.

Teleportation. I actually find myself often saying “oh how I wish I could teleport right now”. I would love to be able to be in several places, events, and with loved ones in the blink of an eye.

A dancer! I grew up in a very musical family in a city on the Caribbean coast where music and dancing was a part of everyday life.

Be prepared and open to work in different roles and different industries in a team-oriented environment.

Chocolate!

Lots of things! My favorite by far is spending time with my husband Nadim and my two kids Safi and Sara at home, at a park, having a nice dinner, or traveling together. I like to work out and dance. I also love organizing, it relaxes me. So, in my spare time you can also find me re-organizing closets, bedrooms, keeping things nice and tidy.

We listen before we lead. I think it is very important that clients feel heard and feel that their opinions, doubts and ideas are taken into account.

Kyle Poerschke

Kyle Poerschke

Assistant Account Manager / Content Curator

The Discriminating Ideator

The Discriminating Ideator excels in generating original ideas and critically evaluating them, effectively blending creativity with practical judgment. They are adept at not only coming up with innovative concepts but also in assessing their feasibility and potential impact.

Discernment, Invention

Learn more about how our team utilizes Working Genius.

a race car driver. As a child, I had a desire to become a race car driver even though I didn’t have any particular exposure or introduction to the sport. It was just an early gut feeling I had. For some reason I felt like I knew it would be something I would enjoy!

That feeling of getting to work on something you enjoy and are passionate about, and when finished, feeling like you did a good job. That just makes me want to do more!

don’t take any wooden nickels.

I don’t see how you can answer anything other than flying. It would solve so many of life’s issues. There are obvious benefits like efficient travel and scenic views.

But think about this. It is a common thing to “go for a walk” to relieve some stress but how lame is that in comparison to someone who can take a couple minutes to “go for a flight”. Flying would provide a sense of joy and freedom that would allow me to forget about all of my current problems, allowing me to reset and return with a new focus. I’d never be stressed again.

A race car driver in my early ages, and then I shifted towards basketball when I realized I was pretty good. I wanted to go to the NBA. I was also inspired by Dude Perfect growing up, to the point where me and my friends had a YouTube Channel making trick shot videos. I wanted to be like them.

Make yourself available!

Probably chocolate chip cookies. I eat them pretty much every night and I don’t think I will be able to do that much longer.

Play golf, tennis, listen to music, be with friends and family, eat good food. I am a person who enjoys having hobbies, so I am always open to trying new things.

We listen before we lead. Those who give the best advice are the ones who listen well!

Amir Gooden

Assistant Account Manager / Content Curator

The Discriminating Ideator

The Discriminating Ideator excels in generating original ideas and critically evaluating them, effectively blending creativity with practical judgment. They are adept at not only coming up with innovative concepts but also in assessing their feasibility and potential impact.

Invention, Discernment

Learn more about how our team utilizes Working Genius.

a photographer or archivist. Photos and capturing memories have been important to me for as long as I can remember.

The eureka moment is when you figure out what a client wants. It can be a bit of a dance initially but seeing a client excited about the work you’re doing for them is the most rewarding part of the job!

“don’t take it personally.” Learning how to regroup and shift perspective has been instrumental in my career.

Cloning myself!

A botanist or a Pokémon master. Still pursuing one of those, honestly.

The team is truly here to work with you and every skill you’re bringing to the table is a valuable asset. Don’t doubt yourself!

Cinnabons.

I collect and play retro games from yesteryear, and I also spend a lot of time cycling. It goes back and forth depending on what time of year it is!

Definitely “we listen before we lead.” Learning how to help a client becomes so apparent when you really hear them and can form strategies and plans specifically for them.

Maegan Meynig

Maegan Meynig

Assistant Account Manager / Content Curator
The Loyal Finisher

The Loyal Finisher is known for their unwavering commitment to completing tasks and their meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that projects are carried through to a successful conclusion. They bring a sense of reliability and consistency to teams, making them invaluable in executing and finalizing projects.

Enablement, Tenacity

Learn more about how our team utilizes Working Genius.

someone in a fantasy novel! I love the feeling of adventure and can get lost for hours reading about far-off places and new worlds.

Knowing that I am making other people’s lives easier. I enjoy the behind-the-scenes piece that helps the finished product come together.

never stop being a student of the world and questioning the “status quo”

Invisibility!

A neuroscientist.

Be confident in your abilities and honest about places where you may need help.

Cookies.

Read!

We Listen Before We Lead. I love that we emphasize being good listeners. The world needs more of those!

Tara Lockhart

Tara Lockhart

Learn more about how our team utilizes Working Genius.

an au pair. I’m good with kids- especially those that belong to other people. I love traveling and anything having to do with arts and crafts.

For me, I always feel the most inspired by clients who have a true passion for their unique product or service. Passion is infectious and leads to some of the greatest creative ideas.

you can’t control other peoples’ actions, but you can control your own reaction.

Easy. I choose to use the force like a Jedi.

As a young girl I wanted to be an attorney. I loved watching Matlock with my grandmother.

While you may think you’re joining a cool strategy firm, you’re actually going to become an integral part of many different companies.

Braum’s chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream

In my spare time I spend time with my family attending baseball games, horseback riding shows, or playing in the treehouse outside. I also love to complete DIY projects at our house. From refinishing furniture to painting rooms, I’m always making some kind of an update.

Giving the client what they need, not just what they want is highly important to me. We owe it to our clients to push their limits and show them what is possible.

Oana Borcoman

Oana Borcoman

Learn more about how our team utilizes Working Genius.

a mind reader or a therapist. I am extremely sensitive to people’s emotions around me where I not only internalize their emotions but somehow, non-purposefully, invite them to share all their most intimate secrets with me. I often find myself in very personal conversations with strangers, but I am happy I can be that person for them!

I love that everything we do makes people happy in the end. We give them memorable experiences, help make people feel appreciated, contribute to their fun and positive state of mind. No matter how hard working on an event gets or how frustrating supply chain issues are, it’s all worth it seeing the smiles at the end!

underpromise and overdeliver. I live by this in all aspect of my business and life to the point where I probably undersell myself too much. However, imagine the delight in the overdeliver afterwards!

I would like the ability to do magic… to snap my fingers and make something I want appear or happen, to instantly transport myself wherever I want with a quick blink, and to control situations that I cannot otherwise control without magical abilities!

I always wanted to be a lawyer, and to this day, more than ever, I think I should have been a lawyer. Boy, do I love a good argument and winning a point!

Qualities you must possess… accountability, reliability, self-starter, self-teacher, and intrinsically motivated. The rest can be taught but the qualities mentioned above are hard to find and even harder to fake if you don’t possess them.

Burgers… I love burgers. Oh and queso… or can my answer just be “junk food?” My weakness!

Anything that involves my dogs!

Giving the client what they need, not just what they want – for sure! I am BIG on learning to manage the client because ultimately, they are hiring us for a reason. Having the strength and confidence in your work to tell a client that what they want is not what they need and that they should trust you instead is so important.

At the end of the day, as a consultant and service provider, we have experience that we stand by and value within ourselves. If we do not stand by what we think is best for the client, despite their opinion on it, then we are doing them a disservice.

Our job is to prevent the mistake rather than say “I told you so” if it’s made.

Scott Blair

Learn more about how our team utilizes Working Genius.

working as a blacksmith or carpenter.

The opportunity to be creative in generating solutions while analytical to discover the patterns for pivots or changes.

don’t wait until retirement to travel. We’re not all guaranteed to make it or arrive fully intact.

Teleportation

Being a professional baseball player was always my dream as a kid.

Maintain great communication, flexibility, and a positive attitude.

Tacos.

Spend time with the family, watching sci-fi series, hiking, and exploring National Parks..

We listen before we lead!

Tenacity

Angie

Emily

Kate

Maegan

Enablement

Angie

KD

Maegan

Galvanizing

Eric

Tara

Discernment

Eric

Kate

KD

Kyle

Amir

Invention

Kyle

Tara

Amir

Wonder

Emily