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

Emily Hemenway

Emily Hemenway

Angie De La Cruz

Angie De La Cruz

Ashley Smalley

Kyle Poerschke

Amir Gooden

Maegan Meynig

Maegan Meynig

Karley Black

Scott Blair

Tailored Solutions Rooted in Reality

At NextLevel Thinking, we don’t believe in off-the-shelf tactics. As premier Houston marketing consultants, we understand that every organization faces a unique set of competitive hurdles. Our “Tailored Solutions” are not just a list of services; they are the strategic outcomes of our four-phase methodology. We refuse to move into creative execution until we have a foundation of truth built through deep investigation.

The Four-Phase Solution Framework

Phase I: Investigation

Before we lead, we listen. We act as your marketing consulting Houston partners to uncover the data points that define your brand’s current reality. We don’t guess—we investigate the landscape, your internal culture, and your clients’/customers’perceptions.

Phase II: Visualization

Data without direction is just noise. In this phase, we act as your positioning consultant, distilling our findings into a singular story. We create the “North Star” for your brand that ensures your message is distinct and authoritative.

Phase III: Realization

This is the bridge between thinking and doing. Our Houston marketing agency develops a comprehensive roadmap that outlines exactly how your brand will move into the marketplace and enable meaningful client/customer participation.

Phase IV: Collaboration

Realization is where your story meets the world. We collaborate with you to amplify your brand across every essential touchpoint, ensuring you stay top-of-mind.

Our Purpose

Challenging organizations to discover who they are, understand what business they are actually in, and helping them to 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.

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.

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.

Emily Hemenway

Emily Hemenway

Sr. 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

Sr. 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.

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.

Ashley Smalley

Account 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 coffee shop owner! I can’t live without my coffee.

Helping people understand that their ideas and goals can be translated into palpable outcomes with real results.

To just do something when you’re feeling stuck. You may not always know the right course of action to take, but it’s easier to solve things when you’re already in motion versus when you find yourself stagnating with self-doubt.

To learn anything instantly. Imagine being able to go to a new country and instantly communicate with people like a native! It’d also be pretty cool to teach myself some new dance moves on the fly as a party trick, but I would mostly use it for knowledge purposes.

My dream growing up was to be a writer. Now, I help people tell their stories through marketing.

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!

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.

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.

Invention, Discernment

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!

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.

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.
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!
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”

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

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

Karley Black

Intern
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.

…living in Italy! I love travel and I fell in love with the culture and architecture in Italy when I visited in 2023. I will definitely go back some time!
Getting to collaborate with clients and understand how they want their brand to be perceived. Everyone has a different type of creativity, and it’s cool to see it come alive!
Fail Forward! (It’s okay to fail as long as you “fail forward”)
The power to travel anywhere I want to within a split second.

Work hard, be flexible, and stay patient when you get told no. Opportunities come when you least expect it so continue to work and stay persistent through the struggle.

Play grass/indoor/sand volleyball, shop, see movies with my friends, and work out!
Giving the client what they need, not just what they want. I think this shows that NLT will go the extra mile to not only make their client happy, but also make sure they are well serviced and prepared.

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.

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

Maintain great communication, flexibility, and a positive attitude.

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

Tenacity

Angie

Emily

Kate

Maegan

Enablement

Angie

KD

Maegan

Galvanizing

Eric

Tara

Discernment

Eric

Kate

KD

Kyle

Amir

Invention

Kyle

Tara

Amir

Wonder

Emily