Maverick Marketers Defy Economi...(anies have in their marketing efforts. ....),Health

"When consumers pull their purse strings a little tighter, you need a top-notch marketing plan to keep revenues up," Butler says. "Unfortunately, some companies don't think about marketing until the slowdown is well underway."

Still, Butler says, it's never too late to get started. At PRstore in Huntersville, Roman has sold so many GamePlans -- customized marketing strategies -- that she's projecting a very busy summer.

"Smart companies know that a solid marketing plan is a priority in any economy," Roman says. "We're proof that you can grow a business during a slowdown if you have a good marketing plan."