BREAKING
NEWS
3STEPS4WARD is partnering with the Sacramento Kings to help small businesses succeed. Check out our Founder and CEO Douglas Younger on Fox 40 and Good Day Sacramento.
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CEO
Douglas Younger, III
Founder and CEO
Doug Younger is the Founder and CEO of 3STEPS4WARD, a technology savvy marketing company that helps startups and entrepreneurs succeed with digital marketing. Doug and his team are a full-service marketing company that was founded on the principles of socially-responsible business.They are a Minority Business Enterprise and a Small Business Enterprise certified by the state of California; driven by the beliefs of positive social responsibility, mutually beneficial business, and personal reinvention.
California State University, East Bay
Doug and CSU: East Bay
Our CEO, Douglas Younger III, will be teaching marketing at CSU: East Bay this Spring. He will be teaching a Seminar in Selected Marketing Topics (focusing on social media and digital marketing) in the MBA for Global Innovators program and the One-Year MBA program.
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ORIGINS
Our company was founded by Douglas Younger, III in January 2020; however, the true origins of 3STEPS4WARD lie with Doug’s father. Douglas Younger, II was a middle-class entrepreneur and financial advisor who raised a family in Cleveland, Ohio.
He instilled in his son the values of achievement and socially-responsible business: the belief that true success comes from taking pride in your work, conducting yourself and your business in an ethical way, and using the fruits of your labor to help others.
“3STEPS4WARD a Continuing Father-To-Son Family legacy” by The Roanoke Tribune. Read More
Douglas
Younger, Jr
“Douglas Younger, Jr.—Junior, Tennis Pro, “Doug-er” or “Pops” (as I liked to call him)—had many different names because in our community he was a brother, cousin, husband, coach, financial advisor, fraternity brother, tennis player, and to me personally, a father. Douglas Younger, Jr was a great man. Simply put, they just don’t make them like that anymore. For me, my father was a “hero” and a “role model” because he constantly demonstrated his values of pride, discipline, love, hard-work, and personal growth.”
Kathie Wheaton
Younger
Kathie Joanne Wheaton Younger graduated from James Madison University with a degree in elementary education and library science. She also attended Kent State taking classes towards her master’s degree.
Kathie married Douglas Younger, Jr. on August 20, 1977 and later moved to Cleveland, OH. There she was a librarian and teacher in the East Cleveland school system for 15 years until early retirement due to health issues. The pride of Kathie and Doug’s union was Douglas (DJ) Younger, III. Kathie was so proud of him and his accomplishments.
OUR
ORIGINS
Our company was founded by Douglas Younger, III in January 2020; however, the true origins of 3STEPS4WARD lie with Doug’s father. Douglas Younger, II was a middle-class entrepreneur and financial advisor who raised a family in Cleveland, Ohio.
He instilled in his son the values of achievement and socially-responsible business: the belief that true success comes from taking pride in your work, conducting yourself and your business in an ethical way, and using the fruits of your labor to help others.
Douglas
Younger, Jr
“Douglas Younger, Jr.—Junior, Tennis Pro, “Doug-er” or “Pops” (as I liked to call him)—had many different names because in our community he was a brother, cousin, husband, coach, financial advisor, fraternity brother, tennis player, and to me personally, a father. Douglas Younger, Jr was a great man. Simply put, they just don’t make them like that anymore. For me, my father was a “hero” and a “role model” because he constantly demonstrated his values of pride, discipline, love, hard-work, and personal growth.”
Kathie Wheaton
Younger
Kathie Joanne Wheaton Younger graduated from James Madison University with a degree in elementary education and library science. She also attended Kent State taking classes towards her master’s degree.
Kathie married Douglas Younger, Jr. on August 20, 1977 and later moved to Cleveland, OH. There she was a librarian and teacher in the East Cleveland school system for 15 years until early retirement due to health issues. The pride of Kathie and Doug’s union was Douglas (DJ) Younger, III. Kathie was so proud of him and his accomplishments.
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VALUES
At 3STEPS4WARD, intellectual curiosity is baked into our DNA. New hires are onboarded with Doug’s top 20 book lists, and debates on everything from sci fi and video games to politics and literature are encouraged! Members of our family have post-graduate degrees in disciplines such as business, public health, finance, art history, and healthcare administration. Regardless of our formal education, we all share a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
We believe that technological innovation should benefit local communities, not just Silicon Valley startups or the elite. We make technology-forward marketing accessible to small businesses and entrepreneurs from all walks of life. 3STEPS4WARD uses leading-edge tools:
“Just do it” isn’t just Nike’s slogan—it’s one of Doug’s many motivational catchphrases! We share his drive and take pride in producing excellent work for our clients. We’ve overcome adversity to get 3STEPS4WARD where it is today, and we’re ready to face whatever challenges may come tomorrow.
We are an “Avengers” team of professionals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, ages, and perspectives. We are not just marketers: we are military veterans, leaders, strategists, and creatives. We have worked in industries ranging from healthcare to higher education, finance to fundraising, the arts to AI, and beyond. We look different from one another. But rather than let such differences divide us, they are our strength. 3STEPS4WARD is one family united by one mission.
3STEPS4WARD helps local communities, one entrepreneur, small business, or nonprofit at a time. We are especially passionate about supporting minority-, women-, and LGBTQ-owned businesses. We are called to educate future generations of marketing professionals through classes, mentorship, internships, webinars, and more.
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Approach
A Unique
Business Model
We primarily work with pre-Series A startups and entrepreneur-owned small businesses that can’t afford their own in-house marketing departments. We partner local organizations and chambers of commerce in the cities where we live. This is how we give back to our communities.
Long-Term Partnerships
When you work with 3STEPS4WARD, you gain a true business partner. We are invested in our clients’ long-term success, especially startups in their infancy. We become an extension of your team and your own marketing department.
A Core Team Approach
Our family is large and growing; to offer our clients the most personal and customer-oriented service possible, we are divided into client-centered core teams. Each client is assigned a small group with one or more experts from each of 3STEPS4WARD’s “factions”: client leads, marketing strategists, program managers, designers, developers, and writers.
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FAMILY
3STEPS4WARD is a family that’s also a marketing company. We are young marketers, strategists, creatives, and business professionals from diverse backgrounds. What unites us? Our belief in each other, in Doug, and in the mission of 3STEPS4WARD.
We are young marketers, strategists, creatives, and business professionals from diverse backgrounds.
What unites us? Our belief in each other, in Doug, and in the mission of 3STEPS4WARD.
Testimonials
Jordan Engbers, PhD Chief Executive Officer of Cohesic
Gaurang Mehta President of ProtecSpine
Neil Ray CEO of Raydiant Oximetry
OUR CLIENTS
Some friends we have made while working together.
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