Woman-owned Delaware business celebrates 10 years in November
When Damien Golden was laid off from her position at a mid-sized advertising agency in 2006, along with thousands of other Americans, she embraced a new chapter in her career. With a background in graphic design, advertising and marketing, and with the support of her family, she was positioned to embark on entrepreneurship. She started with small design jobs and then provided more services as her reputation grew. By 2009, her husband, Ron Golden, joined her and they built iKANDE Advertising into a multifaceted and profitable woman-owned virtual advertising agency by 2012. November's 10th-year anniversary for the company brings a whole new chapter for this local business.
"We are very excited and fortunate to celebrate being in business for 10 years. Like any business we've had our struggles, but we've also had great successes over the past decade. We've helped numerous businesses connect with their target buying market, grow and meet goals that have benefitted their company, their customers and the community. Over the past 10 years we've had nearly $2 million in sales, and we've serviced over 75 clients. That exceptional experience provides added value to our clients," says Damien Golden.
With this milestone anniversary, iKANDE has undergone a rebrand to simplify all aspects of the updated company. iKANDE Advertising has become iKANDE. A shortened and simplified name and logo will better reflect their focus on the future and the launch of their brand-new website at www.iKANDE.com. They will continue to provide only their most sought-after services: web design, graphic design, print and social media. Their virtual creative team will grow, while full advertising and marketing plans, media buying and press releases will be eliminated from the list of services because many of their clients already handle that in-house.
"Virtual creative team simply describes our business structure. We provide many of the same creative services a large agency does, but we don't have the huge overhead of a brick-and-mortar business, making our services much more affordable. My team is composed of freelancers and contractors who work out of their own offices at various locations," says Golden. "It's similar to other modern, flexible businesses structured to run more efficiently and effectively."
Because of the virtual aspect, iKANDE has had operational locations in several cities, including Nashville and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. When iKANDE relocated to Bethany Beach in 2011, the Goldens quickly fell in love with the quiet beach resort area. "This is truly home, and we've tried to give back to the community wherever possible. From involvement in area chambers of commerce, to supporting local businesses, cultural and arts associations, iKANDE has afforded us much, and we are thankful to be able to continue to share it," said Damien.
In iKANDE Advertising’s five years of operating in Delaware, many local businesses have hired the team to help with their creative endeavors.
Alex Moore, president and COO of Seaboard Hotels, said, "I liked the way Damien asked many questions to learn what my business marketing needs were and who we were looking to attract to our hotels. She spent a great deal of time considering our needs as opposed to coming in with a set plan that was off the shelf and bland. She expressed immediate thoughts in our meeting about ideas that made sense and were exciting to think about developing and getting out to potential guests.”
Golden oversees all projects going through iKANDE, sits on the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce board, serves as president of the Home Builders Association of Delaware Sales and Marketing Council, and sits on the advisory board for the Designers Roundtable. She also presents educational workshops, speaks at industry conferences and writes for industry publications.
For more information, contact Damien Golden at 302-727-0071 or go to www.ikande.com.
