Kim Darragon
Marketing & Events Consultant / Public Speaker / Founder of Kim Does Marketing
Santa Monica, CA
kimdoesmarketing.com
instagram @kimdoesmarketing
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Q What do you do?
“Hello, bonjour! I’m a marketing and events expert and the founder of Kim Does Marketing, a consultancy for creative small businesses and startups.”
I specialize in helping all founders – especially those from underrepresented backgrounds and immigrant founders in the US, UK and Europe – grow their profiles and see results.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
Let's go way back for a minute. I'm originally from the south of France, where I got a bachelor's degree in fine arts with a focus on French literature and the art of making maps – yes, literal geographic maps – and then a master's degree in business management and marketing.
I’m a massive bookworm and print lover, and my goal when I was 20 was to work for all the publishing companies and magazines I loved so much. I ended up doing just that, working for the likes of Le Monde in Paris, and Monocle magazine in London.
The UK and Europe is where I gained hard-won corporate and freelance experience, leading the marketing activities and boosting the profiles of businesses in many industries, from tech startups and creative brands to global publishers. By 2019, I was ready to set off on my own, and so I launched my marketing consultancy, Kim Does Marketing.
Finally, I've recently started a new chapter in the US, having moved from London to Santa Monica, California. With 15 years of experience in the marketing industry, I'm ready to help as many talented, ambitious American small business owners with their marketing as I can.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
Since I started Kim Does Marketing, I’ve supported more than 100 businesses across the UK, US, Australia and Europe. Community and inclusivity are important to me, so I've specialized in supporting founders from immigrant and minority backgrounds and also refugee entrepreneurs. I’m an advisor at TERN (The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network) and I've been listed in The Dots' Top 100 Rising Stars Inspiring Change in 2022.
I love supporting creative students and aspiring entrepreneurs. To that end, I’ve been an Associate Lecturer at the University of the Arts London, and the London College of Fashion. I’ve also been a mentor for various programs like Atelier100 (run by IKEA and H&M), the Design Museum's Entrepreneur Hub, and Squarespace's Ready to Launch.
My expertise has been featured in books and articles about entrepreneurship and personal branding. I’m also an Adobe Express Ambassador and a Mailchimp Partner! So you’ll often see me talking regularly about these two awesome platforms.
Q What are you working on right now?
I’m currently organizing an event here in LA for Courier, a London-based global magazine all about amazing creatives, entrepreneurs and small businesses around the world. At the same time, I'm auditing a website for a non-profit organization dedicated to combating climate change, and I'm creating an email strategy for a beauty brand.
My weeks are never the same as I'm constantly working on different projects for businesses in loads of different industries. I like this diversity!
Q What’s your style?
My mission is basically to make marketing easy to understand and implement. So my style is always super approachable, practical and straightforward. And though I’m an all-around marketer, one of my biggest specialties is marketing strategy; helping entrepreneurs with setting up their foundations or launching a new product or service.
In terms of my perspective, as someone who's worked everywhere from Paris and Stockholm to London and Los Angeles, I've developed an innovative 'hybrid' style. By this I mean I’ve absorbed many different cultures and practices, which makes my marketing approach super multidimensional. This is something that's been appreciated by clients who want a fresh and unique approach to their marketing. And finally, my mantra is to always say no to vanilla marketing! :)
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I’d like to teach, host workshops and take part in more events in the US. This could be for a small group of people or onstage in front of a large audience. I love hosting marketing sessions and also sharing my knowledge and lessons learned from my career in marketing, topics related to freelance careers, female entrepreneurship, and more. I’ve hosted more than 50 events in London and I’m interested in replicating this track record in the US!
Q What is frustrating you right now?
The admin, logistics and hurdles of settling into a new country. Being a new immigrant in the US takes a lot of effort, especially setting up a new business. I built my profile in the UK and most of my clients are still based in the UK, so I often have to wake up early to host sessions or Zoom meetings to be on Europe's timezone. Raising my profile here in the US takes time!
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
All my US admin! Everything is so new, so if I had a few extra pennies in the piggybank I'd pay someone to help me with paperwork, bank docs, insurance, bookkeeping and international taxes! Please send help! :)
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I'd tell 20 year-old me to trust yourself. Stop trying to fit in, stop living according to other people's expectations, and stop ignoring who you are! Listen to your inner voice. It will bring you to places you'd never imagine would be possible: moving countries, working around the world, launching your own business, giving lectures at universities and a whole lot more. Sure, it will often be scary and challenging, but the outcome of all the risks you'll take is what you'll be most proud of.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
A consultant at a trend forecasting agency. Someone who could give me access to the freshest quantitative and qualitative marketing research, hot trends, and consumer and industry insights. I’d be even more in the know and I'd love it.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
Calling all US-based small business owners and startup founders! I’d love to support you with your marketing functions.
I'm looking for: Solo entrepreneurs who are ready to turn their business ideas into reality. Startup founders who want to scale or who need senior marketing guidance. And creative business owners who are looking to build their brand reputation online.
I can support you with audits for your website, email marketing or social media; strategic guidance on your launch campaigns or other marketing challenges; and organizing events or pop-ups. I also often help clients with setting up or optimizing their website, creating content and refreshing their social media or email marketing. And, of course, I offer ongoing support for any of the above services. I've worked with businesses in publishing, media, art, fashion, retail, food, hospitality, tech and many others.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
Above all, I enjoy working with creative brands that care about community and inclusion. Brands ready to have a positive impact on the world. They can be small businesses or startups, but they’re usually on a path to making a difference.
I especially love supporting small businesses who have hired junior marketers to manage their activities, but who need an experienced pro like me to guide them. These junior marketers are in charge of day-to-day execution, but can often benefit from the experience and advice of a senior marketer. I'd support, strategize and oversee what they do. Think of it like a part-time head of marketing who swoops in a few times a month to make sure everything is on track!
Q What is your rate?
My rate varies depending on the type of service, collaboration or duration you’re after (i.e. one-off consulting session, audits, 1-to-1 or team workshops, ongoing support, public speaking, etc). Reach out to discuss your specific needs and lets see how we can work together.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Filling in the form on my website is the easiest way to get in touch with me, as I’ll guide you on what to share! Easy peasy: kimdoesmarketing.com/contact
Or email me at hey@kimdoesmarketing.com
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Discovering & learning new things every day.
This member profile was originally published in April 2023