From Pulpit to Profits: Tim Holt on Building Revenue-Driven Marketing
What happens when a youth pastor discovers the power of a boosted Instagram post? For Tim Holt, it launched a journey from ministry to marketing that led him to create Rivia, a Carlsbad-based firm redefining what “marketing done right” looks like.
In this episode, Tim shares how his company helps businesses cut through the noise with revenue-first marketing and a fractional CMO model that delivers measurable results without long-term contracts. From growing Google Reviews to building websites that generate six-figure sales, Tim explains why the right mix of authentic storytelling, branding, and digital strategy can transform any business.
Whether you’re a startup, a nonprofit, or an established company, this conversation will give you practical takeaways on marketing, branding, and growth in a world that never stops changing.
👉 Tune in to hear how Tim and his team are helping Carlsbad businesses thrive, one story (and one review) at a time.
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Sponsor: This show is sponsored and produced by DifMix Productions. To learn more about starting your own podcast, visit www.DifMix.com/podcasting
Intro
Carlsbad. People. Purpose. Impact. An essential podcast for those who live, work, visit, and play in Carlsbad.
Good morning and welcome! I’m Bret Schanzenbach, President and CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, and your host once again. Today, I’m excited to be joined by Tim Holt, founder and CEO of Rivia.
Early Conversation
Bret: Good morning, Tim.
Tim: Good morning, Bret. Thanks for having me. Glad we could finally make this happen. Last time we tried, some health issues popped up—life with four boys under the age of eight means when one gets sick, everyone does!
Bret: I know that story well—I also raised four boys, though they’re all grown now. I even have grandkids. Number five is on the way!
Tim: That’s awesome. Congrats!
Background & Journey
Bret: Let’s talk about your backstory. Where did you grow up?
Tim: Born in Texas, then moved to L.A. when I was 12—skating, surfing, the whole SoCal thing. Later, I moved to Chicago for school, where I met my wife (a Carlsbad native). Once I visited, I knew I never wanted to leave.
Bret: I also saw you have a ministry background.
Tim: Yes—studied ministry and worked as a youth pastor for about nine years in New York, Chicago, San Diego, and Encinitas. That’s actually where I stumbled into marketing. My boss handed me a phone one day and said, “You’re young—figure out this new thing called Instagram.” I boosted one post for $100, and instead of 60 kids, 160 showed up. From there, I got hooked on the power of digital marketing.
From Ministry to Marketing
Tim: What started as helping friends on the side eventually became my company. At first, it was called First Door—focused on helping churches and nonprofits. Then COVID hit, and the digital world exploded. We worked with national organizations, but in 2022, we pivoted to helping local businesses too.
Our focus is revenue-based marketing—if an ad campaign doesn’t make you money, it’s not working. We operate as fractional CMOs: consulting, executing, and analyzing results. Month-to-month contracts. No fluff—just measurable growth.
Bret: I love that. Results over buzzwords.
Tim: Exactly. Our clients don’t stay with us because they have to—they stay because we drive results.
On Branding & Tech
Bret: Marketing evolves so fast. How do you keep up?
Tim: We marry new tech with timeless fundamentals. Sure, TikTok is vital for some industries, but great reviews and storytelling are universal. If customers can’t figure out what makes you unique in five minutes, your branding needs work.
Bret: That’s so true. We did a huge Google Reviews campaign at the Chamber—went from 7 reviews to over 500, the most of any chamber we’ve found nationwide. It’s been huge for credibility.
Tim: Exactly. Reviews are the lifeblood of online visibility. I always tell small business owners: if you do nothing else, set up your Google Business profile and get reviews.
Websites & Growth
Tim: We also build websites—free for our clients—because your site should be a growth engine, not just a brochure. One remodeling company went from zero leads to $100k/month in six months after we rebuilt their site and paired it with strong SEO and storytelling.
Bret: That’s powerful. And your team is growing too?
Tim: Yes—we’re up to eight people now. Love this crew.
Family & Closing
Bret: You’ve got four boys at home—what are they into?
Tim: Declan (8) is a gardener—he grew watermelons that took over the yard. Ronan (6) is the “glue” of our family—sweetest kid with our puppy. The younger two are busy climbing and toddling around. Life is full, but it’s great.
Bret: Fantastic. For listeners who want to connect with you?
Tim: Best way is at rivia.com—that’s R-I-V-V-I-A (two v’s). Or email me at tim@rivia.com. Business phone is (760) 782-2875—call or text anytime.
Outro
Thanks for joining us today on Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow us on your favorite podcast app and tell a friend. See you next time!
