Meet Joe Morsello | Owner & Chief Digital Marketer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joe Morsello and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joe, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Starting Graze Marketing was really a mix of timing, opportunity, and purpose. I was working as a marketing director for a not-for-profit trade association representing the local marketing industry, which gave me great insight into the tools, trends, and challenges related to how businesses market themselves locally. From small business, to large, national chains, I learned a ton about the digital marketing space during this time. I saw firsthand how many businesses, large and small, were struggling to find reliable, transparent, and effective marketing support—and I believed we could do better. We launched Graze to fill that gap, offering not just results and strong technical execution, but a much-needed focus on customer service. On a personal level, my wife and I were expecting our first child, and it felt like the right time to take a leap and build something of our own. Since 2018, we’ve been all in—and it’s been incredibly rewarding.

What should our readers know about your business?
Graze Marketing is a full-service small digital marketing agency in Metro Detroit founded in 2018. Our team and vendors are all based in Michigan and the majority of our clients are too. We specialize in lead generation, brand design, content marketing, web and software development, video production, search engine marketing, pay per click advertising, and more.

I think what makes Graze unique is that our growth has been primarily organic. We’ve spent a very little amount of time and resources on outbound growth marketing tactics. In other words, despite minimal marketing, we still have attracted many great clients over the years, some of which have been clients of Graze for over five years. This is a testament to our focus on the clients we have, rather than the clients we don’t. No sales team, no lofty promises, just a really transparent experience and a dedication to driving results. To put it simply, we spend more time finding new ways to help our existing clients grow, and less time focused on our own growth.

But to get to where we are today it required listening to all the signals. Listening to the data and results. Listening to online customer behavior and technology trends. Listening to our clients and what they need. Listening to our gut and doing the right thing.

Our agency does great work but we have learned that the quality of work is directly connected to the amount of input and collaboration we get from our clients. We aren’t going to pretend to be an expert in any space other than our own. But pair our marketing know-how with our client’s deep understanding of their space and that’s a powerful combination that always leads to great results.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Day 1: We’d start with a scenic bike ride through the Metroparks in Southeast Michigan, riding through the woods and riverside paths. It’s the perfect way to shake off the travel fatigue and ease into the Michigan vibe.

Day 2: We’d stop for lunch at Promenade in Trenton—great food and pastries in a laid-back atmosphere.

Day 3: We’d head downtown to catch a Red Wings game at Little Caesars Arena. Even if you’re not a huge hockey fan, the atmosphere, the crowd, and the Detroit pride is tons of fun.

Day 4–6: We’d head west for a camping trip along Lake Michigan—somewhere quiet, maybe around Sleeping Bear Dunes. Bonfires, sunsets, swimming, and just unplugging for a couple days. Michigan’s west coast always leaves a lasting impression.

Day 7: On the way back, we’d stop for one last meal at a local spot.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
No one does anything worthwhile alone – and the story of Graze Marketing is no different.

Michigan State University’s Professional and Creative Writing programs gave me the foundation I needed as a digital marketer. Whether it was technical writing, web development, or learning how to craft a unique voice or tone, those experiences helped shape how I approach digital marketing today.

On a personal level, my wife played a huge role—she encouraged me to start the business and her nudge was the tipping point that made all the difference. Professionally, I owe a lot to Greg Sterling, a former boss and local marketing industry veteran. He not only deepened my knowledge of the space but also was a great example of what a leader should be. Lastly, a shoutout to my former colleague Kevin Kalinowski, whose incredible work ethic pushed me to raise my own standards and stay focused on the bigger picture.

Also a big shoutout to all the clients that took a chance on a new marketing agency back when we first got started. Those early clients are the reason Graze exists today and I can’t thank them enough for trusting us with growing their businesses.

Finally, the staff, past and present, at Graze Marketing has helped the company become what it is today. We couldn’t offer our services to an expanding client list without them.

Website: https://grazemarketing.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grazemarketing/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/graze-marketing/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrazeMarketing

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grazemarketing

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFFiZOS_r2F7oAGxEYD82eg