The Story Behind The Story: How a Fulcrum Event Sparked a Lifetime Connection

Discover how a chance meeting at a networking event sparked a connection to thriving startup and more importantly a lifetime relationship with two industry titans, Suneera Madhani and Sal Rehmetullah.

In the world of entrepreneurship, serendipity often plays a key role in creating meaningful connections. That’s precisely what happened years ago when Kevin O'Malley, now Fractional CMO leader of TMarketers, and Suneera Madhani met at a Fulcrum networking event. What started as a casual interaction, sipping on whiskey and talking up the startup life, blossomed into a powerful professional partnership, leading Kevin to join Stax a few years later as the CMO and being part of the team that led them to a Billion dollar unicorn status.

A Chance Meeting with Big Impacts

Kevin’s story begins at a Fulcrum event over six years ago. It was a time when Suneera was in the early days of building her first company, FattMerchant now Stax Payments. While Kevin recalls it as a moment that inspired his admiration for Suneera’s drive, she jokes that she spent years trying to convince him to work with her.

"I met Kevin at a venture event for our private investors. He was speaking about growth marketing and ABM strategy," Suneera shares. "Not only was I impressed by his deep knowledge of marketing and ROI strategies, but I also saw his charisma as a leader. He wasn’t just smart—he was also incredibly cool."

At the time, hiring Kevin wasn’t financially feasible for the startup, which had just secured venture capital funding. Yet, Suneera saw the potential for collaboration and kept the conversation alive, frequently seeking Kevin’s advice as the company grew.

Building Stax Payments Brand Together

Eventually, the timing aligned. A few years later, Kevin officially joined Stax Payments, and the duo embarked  on an ambitious journey to redefine the company’s brand and to scale its go-to-market operations.

 "Kevin was my right-hand CMO, confidant, and partner during this journey. Together, we scaled the business from $60 million in revenue to over $100 million."

The rebranding wasn’t just about a new name—it was about solidifying the company’s position as an industry leader. It required relentless effort, strategic marketing, and a vision to create something extraordinary.

"It was so much fun and so hard at the same time," Suneera admits. "But working with Kevin made the challenge worth it. He brought creativity, leadership, and a results-driven mindset that helped propel us forward."

The Power of a Strong Partnership

The journey of Stax Payment is a testament to the importance of partnerships built on trust, shared vision, and a willingness to tackle the hard stuff together. Suneera and Kevin’s story is also a reminder that relationships built in seemingly ordinary moments—like a networking event—can lead to extraordinary outcomes.

"Looking back, I’m so grateful for that Fulcrum event," Kevin reflects. "It’s not just about being at the right place at the right time. It’s about recognizing when you’ve found two people like Suneera and Sal whose vision and energy align with yours and doing everything you can to make the partnership work."

Today, the legacy of their collaboration serves as inspiration for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone looking to build something impactful. As Suneera and Kevin prove, the right partnership can truly change the game.

This experience also inspired Kevin to start TMarketers, Fractional Marketing leadership services, so that he can engage with early startups when they need him without having the financial hurdles of having a full-time marketing leader. Let’s grow together.