About us
We are committed to empowering small businesses with innovative, cost-effective, and community-centric marketing solutions. As a proudly indigenous, veteran, and woman-owned agency, we bring a unique perspective and deep cultural understanding to every project.
Our Pledge:
Championing Small Businesses: We exist to amplify the voices of small businesses, recognizing that they are the backbone of our communities and the lifeblood of our economy. We dedicate our expertise to leveling the playing field and helping them thrive in a competitive market.
Cost-Conscious Strategies: We believe that success should not come at a prohibitive cost. Our agency is committed to developing high-impact marketing strategies that are both effective and budget-friendly, ensuring that every dollar spent generates maximum value for our clients.
Community-Centric Approach: We understand the vital role that community plays in the success of a business. Our agency actively participates in community-building initiatives and seeks to align our clients' brands with local values, ensuring they resonate authentically with their target audience.
Indigenous Heritage and Veteran Insight: Rooted in our indigenous heritage and guided by the principles of honor, respect, and service, we bring a unique perspective to every project. Our experience as veterans instills a sense of discipline, dedication, and strategic thinking that is applied to every marketing endeavor.
Diversity and Inclusion: We celebrate diversity in all its forms and believe that inclusive marketing is not only ethical but also a key driver of business success. Our agency is committed to representing and reaching out to diverse audiences, ensuring that no voice is left unheard.
Sustainability and Responsibility: We recognize our responsibility to the environment and society. Our agency endeavors to incorporate sustainable practices into our operations, minimizing our environmental impact while maximizing positive social contributions.
Continuous Learning and Innovation: We embrace change and remain at the forefront of marketing trends and technologies. Our team is dedicated to continuous learning, allowing us to provide our clients with cutting-edge strategies and tactics.
Together, we embark on a journey to elevate your small business, nurturing growth, fostering connections, and leaving a positive imprint on our shared communities.
It all started when…
Here’s the backstory you don’t need but I’m telling it anyways…
I was 11 and my parents got a new Gateway computer.
You remember those cow computers from the 90’s?
Well, I was a curious kid so I decided to teach myself HTML and create my own website. I was a little obsessed with Leonardo DiCaprio at the time and the website was a tribute to that. Yikes, right?!
Okay… fast forward to high school where I decided to go into the Army as a 95B - Military Police.
I had my whole life planned.
Go into the Army, retire in 20 years (I’d be 37) and then become an art teacher. Well, my pelvis thought otherwise and fractured after a run. Honorable Discharge.
Now what?!
Fast forward - I’m going to college for Computer Programming. Hey, I created a pretty awesome (albeit nerdy and Leo-obsessed) website when I was 11 years old - I got this!
Until I realized I’d be writing code 40 hours a week - not fun!
So I finished my degree and chose a different direction.
I have always been a hobbyist photographer and an overall ‘get sh*t done’ kind of person, which landed me a sweet gig for a local wholesale distributor. My role was actually many roles in this small business. I was operations, marketing food products, photographed factories and frantoios (even the occasional Sicilian olive farm), and managed logistics.
It was crazy, cool, and traveling was incredible.
However, it left me feeling overworked, overwhelmed, and disconnected from my local community.
I began applying to different jobs where I could make an impact on my local community.
I wanted to help businesses while connecting with people.
I applied for, had a number of interviews with, and accepted the Marketing Director position at the local Chamber of Commerce. This lit a spark in my life. Marketing, interacting with people, and helping their businesses grow - I’m passionate about this!
In my position at the Chamber, I saw a need to help small businesses - a gap in the market - that I knew how to fill!
A few years working for the Chamber and I decided to cut loose and forge my own path. And here I am, working on my own business and helping others to grow theirs.
With my various experiences, I have developed a cognitive marketing technique.
I’m not reinventing the wheel here. I am taking your business, your audience, your branding, your voice - and helping you to expand YOUR business.
Let’s think about what you’re doing that works, what doesn’t work, make it more efficient, and increase your rate of success!
Giving Back to the community is at my core.
Because I was raised in a home where we grew up volunteering for community events and organizations, I am also proud to be involved in local organizations. Click the logos below to learn more about these organizations and how we help our community.
Founder of Haynes Marketing + Media, Inc., Kati Haynes is also a proud enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and a US Army Veteran.