That Intern Life: Ava’s Take, Weeks 3 and 4

Behind the Pitch: My First Look at Roadmapping Proposals

Intro: A New Kind of Learning Curve

Beneath every polished proposal are hours of strategy, collaboration, and revision. Every detail matters—sometimes a single tweak can shift the outcome entirely. What I’ve come to realize is just how much behind-the-scenes thinking and teamwork go into each one.

Hi! I’m Ava, a 2025 Marketing Intern at REGROUP, and I’m documenting my journey along the way. If you missed my first blog post, you can read it here. Now, here’s what I’ve been up to during my second two weeks.

I’ve gotten to see how REGROUP approaches proposals from the ground up. From learning what an RFP even is, to watching the team map out a pitch on the wall like a storyline, I’ve realized that a proposal is way more than a deliverable—it’s a process. And a pretty creative one at that.

Learning the Language: RFPs, RFIs & Real Strategy

One of the first things I learned was the difference between an RFP (Request for Proposal) and an RFI (Request for Information). Companies send these when they’re looking for marketing help, and it’s our chance to show how REGROUP can solve problems and support their growth.

But it’s not just about filling in the blanks, it starts with research. Who’s the client? What do they care about? What challenges are they facing? From there, the team builds a custom plan, with strategy and creativity woven together.

I also started working in HubSpot—setting up pipelines for two new potential clients. I built out contact profiles and mapped key steps in the proposal process, from deadlines to possible next moves. It helped me see how REGROUP tracks the full journey of a pitch, not just the outcome.

Inside a REGROUP Proposal: Strategy Meets Storytelling

One thing I didn’t expect? The wall.

Andre Mello, REGROUP’s VP of Engagement, walked me through their proposal process, and part of it involves printing out the proposal sections and taping them to a wall (yes, really). Laying it out visually helps the team step back and see how the story flows, from the opening intro to the scope of work.

After that, there’s a kickoff meeting where ideas fly, questions are asked, and the whole thing gets reshaped until it feels right. It’s not just editing, it’s refining the message and making sure it’s built for the client we’re pitching to.

I also spent time looking through past proposals REGROUP has created. Each one was unique and full of personality. It made me realize how thoughtful the team is about not just what they say, but how they say it.

A Quote That Stuck With Me

“A lot of new business is about working together to find the best story we can tell. Because we all have so much to say, it becomes a give and take of ideas and direction. It’s a negotiation, and as frustrating as it may be, collaborating with others allows it to always be better than it was before.”  — Andre Mello, VP of Engagement and Growth (and my boss!)

This quote stuck with me because it felt honest. Marketing really is about working with others, even when it’s tricky or slow or messy. But those moments of collaboration—sharing ideas, reworking drafts, listening—are what make the final result stronger. That’s something I’ve seen in action here every day.

Wrap-Up: What I’m Taking With Me

In just two weeks, I’ve learned that proposals are more than just sales tools—they’re stories. And building them takes strategy, care, and teamwork. I’m excited to keep following the proposals I’ve seen in progress and watch how REGROUP brings them to life.

Stay tuned—there’s more to come.