Zilker Media CEO shows leaders how to accelerate growth by aligning authentic leadership, digital discoverability and high-impact thought leadership.
AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 25, 2025 — Paige Velasquez Budde, co-founding partner and CEO of Zilker Media, today announced the release of her debut book, The Strategic Business Influencer: Building a Big Brand with a Small Budget. Published by Matt Holt Books, The Strategic Business Influencer is the modern guide for executives and entrepreneurs who want to strengthen visibility, credibility and trust in an increasingly competitive business landscape.
Drawing on more than a decade of advising CEOs, authors and mission-driven companies, Velasquez Budde introduces the concept of the Strategic Business Influencer: a leader who develops high-touch yet scalable relationships that accelerate trust and drive measurable business impact. The book details a practical blueprint for leaders seeking to differentiate themselves from larger competitors and build influence without enterprise-level marketing budgets.
“I wrote this book because too many leaders underestimate the influence they already have and the impact they could make if they harnessed it intentionally,” said Velasquez Budde. “Today’s marketplace rewards leaders who show up with clarity, credibility and purpose. You don’t need viral moments or to be a celebrity-like brand. What you need is a strategy that builds trust at scale in the changing environment. This book gives leaders the roadmap to do exactly that.”
“There’s a reason most CEOs struggle to make marketing work: They don’t see how their role has changed,” said Camille Burns, CEO, Women Presidents Organization. “This book delivers that clarity—and a strategy that aligns leadership with growth.”
In The Strategic Business Influencer, Velasquez Budde reframes influence as a leadership responsibility rather than a performative exercise. The book introduces frameworks such as the Influence ID and features case studies from figures like Sara Blakely and Henry Ford. It also highlights everyday successful leaders including Jeff Wilkinson of Keystone Bank, Joyce Durst of Growth Acceleration Partners, and Sarah Dusek of Under Canvas and Enygma Ventures, providing clear strategies for building digital trust.
The Strategic Business Influencer: Building a Brand with a Small Budget, published by Matt Holt Books, an imprint of BenBella Books, is now available in print, digital, and audio formats via Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and major retailers. For more information, visit www.paigevelasquezbudde.com or follow Paige on LinkedIn.