"From pitfalls, rise pinnacles; in trust, success unfurls."
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Table of Contents
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Marin Davis: I am a Kansas girl who married an Army man and has since moved around the country which lead to me starting my own branding and marketing agency, Local Collaborative.
My team collaborates with businesses to create a memorable brand that people will fall in love with. We focus on hiring a talented team of professionals who share a commitment to delivering executive-level results with a personalized, hometown experience.
I’d say my entrepreneurial spirit began at a young age. I’m from a multi-generational farming family in Kansas where my great grandfather started 4-H in our hometown county.
I was a 4th generation 4-Her and Miss 4-H 2009. I also represented Kansas in D.C. for Citizenship Washington Focus, Kansas Youth Leadership Forum and several other leadership trips and conferences.
My entire family has been extremely active in these roles for decades which is likely where my passion for leadership has come from.
I’ve embraced the challenges of being a military spouse, mother, and business owner. After earning my degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Kansas State University, my marketing career began.
I’ve had the honor to work alongside award-winning teams on renowned brands such as Cuties, Mighties, and Panda Express.
After getting married in 2018, I made the pivotal decision to begin her own marketing agency which allowed me to move all over the United States with her family as my husband pursued a demanding career in U.S. Army Special Forces.
Local Collaborative is unlike any other digital marketing agency due to its dedication to collaboration and empowering talented professionals, including other work-from-home parents and military spouses who aspire to pursue their careers while prioritizing family.
We work to deliver exceptional results while understanding the needs of small businesses individually. We take pride in alleviating the stress of social media marketing for small business owners.
In the past year, what is the greatest business achievement you’d like to celebrate with your team? Please share the details of that success.
Marin Davis: This past year we welcomed our second child. If the first one didn’t teach time management, the second one sure did! I’ve found an immense sense of confidence in saying yes or no to things, clients and events which is something I try to translate to my team.
They are also work-from-home parents and military spouses who prioritize the demands of family life but also desire pursuing a career. We’ve doubled our income each year which then is invested in another part of the business.
The confidence of all of this decision making is something we regularly point out and celebrate! It’s a reminder we are working because we love what we do and it positively benefits our family.
Quiet quitting, The Great Resignation, are an ongoing trend causing many businesses to struggle to keep talent engaged and motivated. Most are leaving because of their boss or their company culture. 82% of people feel unheard, undervalued, and misunderstood in the workplace. In your experience, what keeps employees happy? And how are you adapting to the current shift we see?
Marin Davis: My business was built from a very similar experience so I understand where a majority of the entrepreneurs we work with are coming from.
I struggled finding a job after college because no one wanted to hire someone who would move in a couple years. Anyone hiring was a pyramid-scheme or minimum wage job. I was extremely undervalued and unfulfilled. I knew I had more potential.
When I finally did sign a year-long contract as a marketing manager I was thrilled to create insane momentum, launch a program and overhaul their marketing efforts!
But after pitching for a raise, which they agreed to…I was then let go in a very public format…on my birthday…and they continued to sell everything I had created. That event pushed me to create something I owned myself, even if I made no money from it. I had to be my own boss.
Taking what I liked from every employer, I’ve strived to hire a talented, committed team who regularly heard how beneficial and appreciated their minds, work and ideas are.
Work should always be something that provides for our family; not depletes it. When people are trusted, as responsible adults, to manage their own time, I believe they show up in a fresh, excited mindset to help your clients and cause.
We don’t place many rules or restrictions on them aside from myself always being client-facing communication.
Online business keeps on surging higher than ever, B2B, B2C, online shopping, virtual meetings, remote work, Zoom medical consultations, what are your expectations for the year to come and how are you capitalizing on the tidal wave?
Marin Davis: I was working Covid-style before Covid happened. The pandemic proved to everyone who doubted it before how crucial social media and digital marketing is.
If you own a business you MUST have an online presence. Period. I see us focusing on personal brands and user generated content to pull authentic stories and connections. Humans love stories.
Humans are also extremely intelligent so we know when we’re being sold to, manipulated or truly enjoy someone. We’re capitalizing on the desire for storytelling by leaning into brand archetypes to provide consistency and clarity.
Christopher Hitchens, an American journalist, is quoted as saying that “everyone has a book in them” Have you written a book? If so, please share with us details about it. If you haven’t, what book would you like to write and how would you like it to benefit the readers?
Marin Davis: Writing a book is something I have always wanted to do. I agree everyone has a book in them, I’m just waiting until it shows itself to me.
As a child I would write and illustrate my own books which turned into blog-writing for my industry. I take the character building from brands in my daily work and daydream of writing fun children’s books I think my own kids would enjoy!
In your experience, what tends to be the most underestimated part of running a company? Can you share an example?
Marin Davis: Marketing is usually the first thing companies cut from their budget. I say this is because we grew up with social media being a free way to stay in touch with friends and it’s evolved into a powerhouse of opportunity and authority.
When brands say a majority of their referrals come from word of mouth so they ‘don’t need’ a website or social media, they’re gravely misunderstanding that those accounts are what the referrer will send to your potential client.
They want to read reviews, see photos, read your bio. Social media is the introductory handshake before you ever know they’re looking at you.
What does “success” in 2023 mean to you? It could be on a personal or business level, please share your vision.
Marin Davis: For a long time I would have given you some numbers I wanted to hit monthly or annually.
I still have numbers in mind because of what it would mean my company could do for our employees but, after years in the industry, success means that I feel content, happy and at peace.
If there is a decision, a person or other influence who I don’t believe would take us to the next level, I know it’s not for us.
A higher level of success has come from every pitfall so I constantly trust things will work out. A no in business means more time at home with my kids.
Jed Morley, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Marin Davis for taking the time to do this interview and share her knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Marin Davis or her company, you can do it through her – Linkedin Page
Disclaimer: The ValiantCEO Community welcomes voices from many spheres on our open platform. We publish pieces as written by outside contributors with a wide range of opinions, which don’t necessarily reflect our own. Community stories are not commissioned by our editorial team and must meet our guidelines prior to being published.
