How We Engage

Three ways to work
with Silex.

We structure every engagement around what the client actually needs;not a one-size-fits-all retainer. Start with a project, grow into a retainer, or launch with both divisions running from day one.

Engagement Models

Pick the structure that fits where you are.

Model One
Project-Based

A defined scope. A flat fee. A clear deliverable.

Best for companies that have a specific, defined need with a clear start and end. A campaign launch, a sales enablement refresh, a single executive dinner, or a conference activation. You scope it with us, we deliver it, and there’s no ongoing commitment unless you want one.

Most project-based clients convert to a retainer after the first engagement. We design every project so you can see exactly what senior-led execution looks like before committing to an ongoing program.

Defined Statement of Work (SOW) with fixed scope
50% deposit to begin; balance on delivery
Founding member as primary point of contact
Scope change order required for out-of-scope work
No ongoing commitment after delivery
Pass-through costs (venue, A/V, ad spend) billed at cost with receipts
Start with a Project
Model Two
Monthly Retainer

Consistent execution. Monthly accountability.

Best for companies that need an ongoing marketing function they don’t have in-house. A retainer gives you a dedicated team, a quarterly marketing plan, monthly deliverables, and a reporting cadence tied to your pipeline targets, not vanity metrics.

Retainer clients receive a monthly performance report against agreed KPIs and a formal quarterly business review. Everything is measured against what you’re actually trying to accomplish.

Monthly recurring engagement with 3–6 month minimum
Quarterly marketing plan aligned to your pipeline goals
Monthly performance report against agreed KPIs
Quarterly business review with pipeline attribution
Founding member as dedicated point of contact
Retainer scope defined in a monthly SOW; addendums for expanded scope
Start a Retainer
Model Three
Integrated Bundle

Both divisions. One strategy. One program.

Best for companies that are ready to operate at full capacity. The Integrated Bundle activates both the Campaigns & Growth and Events & Experiences divisions under a single unified program;campaigns that build pipeline feeding directly into events that close it.

This is Silex’s most powerful model and the one that produces measurably better outcomes than either division alone. It’s designed for clients who want to move fast, move together, and hold the firm accountable to a single number: pipeline.

Both Campaigns & Growth and Events & Experiences active simultaneously
6-month minimum for program continuity and compounding results
Single unified strategy across both divisions
One point of contact; fully engaged team
Integrated reporting: campaigns and events measured against one pipeline number
Quarterly business review plus monthly attribution reporting
Explore an Integrated Bundle
Project-Based is best for
First engagements, defined one-time needs, companies that want to see the work before committing to an ongoing program
Monthly Retainer is best for
Companies that need a consistent marketing function, ongoing pipeline programs, and monthly accountability against agreed targets
Integrated Bundle is best for
Companies ready to run both engines simultaneously;campaigns generating demand and events closing pipeline in a single coordinated program
Side-by-Side Comparison

How the three models compare.

Project-Based Monthly Retainer Integrated Bundle
Commitment length Per project 3–6 month minimum 6-month minimum
Campaigns & Growth Per project ✦ ✦
Events & Experiences Per project Add-on ✦
Quarterly marketing plan ; ✦ ✦
Monthly performance report ; ✦ ✦
Quarterly business review ; ✦ ✦
Unified cross-division strategy ; ; ✦
Full team engaged ; As needed ✦
Founding member as primary contact ✦ ✦ ✦
Pass-through costs at cost ✦ ✦ ✦
50% deposit to begin ✦ ; ;
The Process

From first conversation to active program.

Step 01
Discovery Call

A 45-minute conversation to understand your situation, goals, budget, and timeline. No prep required on your end;we come with the questions.

Step 02
Custom Proposal

A tailored proposal delivered within 5 business days of discovery. We recommend the right engagement model based on what you’re trying to accomplish, not what’s easiest to sell.

Step 03
SOW & Kickoff

Once you approve the proposal, we issue a Statement of Work, collect a deposit (for project-based engagements), and schedule a kickoff call to finalize the 90-day roadmap.

Step 04
Active Program

We get to work. Monthly check-ins, weekly updates during active campaigns and events, and a reporting cadence built from day one.

Common Questions

Things clients ask before they start.

If your question isn’t here, ask us directly. We’d rather answer a question than lose a client who was right for us.

Talk to Us
No. Project-based engagements have no ongoing commitment;you scope a specific deliverable, we deliver it, and that’s the engagement. If you want to continue, we discuss next steps after delivery. Retainer and Integrated Bundle engagements have minimum terms (3–6 months and 6 months respectively) because that’s the time horizon over which marketing programs actually compound and produce measurable results.
Every engagement;project, retainer, or bundle;is led and managed directly by Samantha McWhite or Adrienne Locke, depending on the nature of the work. You will have their direct contact information and direct access throughout the engagement. There are no account managers, no junior staff relaying messages, and no one who hasn’t been in your shoes.
A retainer typically activates one division;either Campaigns & Growth or Events & Experiences;with the other available as a project add-on. The Integrated Bundle activates both divisions under a single unified strategy from day one. Campaigns are designed to fill event seats; events are designed to generate signals that campaigns then nurture. The compounding effect of both divisions running together is the core differentiator of the Integrated Bundle.
Against your pipeline targets and revenue goals;not impressions, follower counts, or open rates. Every engagement begins with a shared definition of success: specific pipeline contribution numbers, qualified meetings generated, event attendance goals, or marketing-sourced revenue attribution. Those client-defined KPIs become the benchmarks against which all program activity is reported, monthly.
Yes, and most clients do. We deliberately design every project so you can see what senior-led execution looks like before committing to an ongoing program. After delivery, we typically have a conversation about what a retainer would look like given what we learned during the project. There’s no pressure and no upsell built into the process;the work is the pitch.
Pass-through costs;venue, catering, A/V, ad spend, sponsored content, and similar third-party expenses;are billed at actual cost with documented receipts. We do not mark up vendor costs. Our fee covers strategy, management, and execution; the cost of external resources is a separate line. This is documented in every SOW and reviewed in every monthly report.
Yes. Silex operates as a fully distributed consultancy. Campaign work is delivered remotely, which means we can partner with clients in any market. Event work is executed on-site wherever the client’s clients and prospects are;from major startup hubs to emerging technology corridors. Our founders bring professional networks spanning both coasts and the Mountain West, giving us meaningful reach across the full spectrum of the U.S. startup ecosystem.

Not sure which model is right for you?

Most clients aren’t sure when they reach out;that’s what the discovery call is for. Tell us where you are and we’ll recommend the right starting point.

Start a Conversation
No long forms. No agency deck. Just a conversation.