Today we’d like to introduce you to Derek Edmond.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Derek. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve been in digital marketing for over 15 years, focusing initially with SEO (search engine optimization) and broadening my experience to social media, content marketing, and various B2B marketing specialties throughout my career.
I actually majored in Finance as an undergraduate degree but after getting caught up in the dot-com bubble around 2000 switched careers to web design and development. After moving from Raleigh, NC to Boston in 2002, I realized I wasn’t a very good developer and caught onto SEO as an added skill because it was a way to further differentiate my resume.
I remember thinking how cool it would be if I could actually work in SEO full time. Keep in mind that in 2002, Google wasn’t nearly as dominant as it is today.
In 2005 a good friend of mine offered me a job working with him as an SEO consultant at KoMarketing. We had a great experience and I learned a ton about what it takes to be an entrepreneur, work as a consultant, and further develop skills in digital marketing.
In 2009 we decided to part ways but because of my passion for search marketing and social media, along with interests in entrepreneurship and building an agency, I decided to buy his equity and continue KoMarketing. I bought a couple colleagues onboard, carried on the emphasis we established in B2B markets and focused on growing the organization.
KoMarketing moved to the Fort Point neighborhood of Boston in 2012 and we’ve had the good fortune of growing pretty significantly as an agency throughout its entire lifetime. Today we’re nearly 7 times the size of the organization we were in 2009 and continue to grow, largely because of the great team we’ve built, invest in, and develop, and the outstanding relationships we strive to keep with clients and partners around the world.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road taken by a small business owner is never smooth (at least in my opinion) but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I also know I’ve been extremely fortunate and have a lot to be thankful for.
But as a small business owner, the biggest struggle is building an organizational culture that your team can get behind and truly enjoy coming to work on a daily basis. We’re not perfect but recognize the importance.
For our clients, the individuals on the teams supporting their programs are the key factors in why we’re so successful at what we do on behalf of their digital marketing initiatives.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the KoMarketing story. Tell us more about the business.
KoMarketing helps B2B organizations get found online, generate leads, and build brand visibility. We do this through strategic search, social media, and content marketing programs tailored to specific business objectives.
We’re not a one-size-fits-all shop and customize programs to suit marketing departments in B2B technology, software, industrial, and business solution industries.
I’m proud that we’ve developed client relationships that span years, including two organizations that have been with us since the start. There are many clients we work with today that are a result of the good work we did for marketing contacts from past client programs or referrals provided.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck is a funny thing. While I don’t believe in completely random luck, I do believe in good fortune and that one can put themselves in a better position to be in “the right place at the right time” so to speak.
I’m incredibly thankful for all of my current and past team members, colleagues, mentors, and leaders that have given me opportunities and helped me to be a better professional. There is always something to learn.
Contact Info:
- Address: 374 Congress Street Suite 507 Boston, MA 02210
- Website: https://komarketing.com/
- Phone: (781) 209-1989
- Email: sales@komarketing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/komarketing/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/komarketing/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/komarketing
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/komarketing-associates
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