Twenty years ago, Dawn Claymore had a vision—to build a marketing agency that not only delivered creative, results-driven campaigns but also fostered strong relationships with clients and the community. Fast forward to today, and Midwest Marketing has become a trusted name in Black Hills marketing world, helping businesses grow through innovative marketing strategies.
As we celebrate this milestone, we sat down with Dawn to reflect on the journey—how it all started, the challenges faced, the lessons learned, and what’s next for the future of Midwest Marketing. Join us for an inside look at two decades of growth, creativity, and success in the ever-evolving world of marketing.
Thank you for your time, Dawn! First things first – what inspired you to start Midwest Marketing?
It had always been a dream of mine to start my own company, my husband knew this. Once our children entered their early school years and his career took off, he encouraged me to take the leap. It was a wonderful busy whirlwind from then on and I wouldn’t have changed a thing.
Those of us in the marketing biz know branding a new business is hard work. What’s the story behind Midwest Marketing’s name and branding?
When I first opened in March of 2005, I named the company The Marketing Store with the concept of helping anyone who needed marketing from full service to a small order of business cards. A few years later our niche was identified in helping Midwestern businesses. Midwest Marketing became our new name as it clearly says who we are and what we do.
What was the biggest challenge you faced when launching Midwest Marketing?
It is hard to walk away from a high paying job to take a chance on starting a business. Scary – very scary. The unknown dramatically affects you. But it turned out like we all hear – “Don’t worry about what you can’t control – control what you can control”. So, I put my head down, worked hard and haven’t stopped since.
That hard work has definitely paid off! What strategies have been the most effective in growing an agency?
Midwest Marketing has grown based on the referrals from our awesome client partnerships. We are the only five-star rated agency in the area because we do great work and we do what we say we are going to do. Our staff operates with the customer first mentality.
Over the years, what common mistakes have you seen businesses make when it comes to marketing?
A common mistake people make when it comes to marketing is thinking about their own media habits and thinking their customers think like them. That is usually not the case. Another mistake made is thinking that your niece or nephew who can take photos with their iPhone or make an image on their computer with a graphic off the Internet know how to be a designer. Designers go to school for a four year degree for a reason. Same for a media buyer.
What sets Midwest Marketing apart from other agencies?
Definitely our people and our partnerships with our clients. We work in unison as a team. Setting goals, meeting goals and celebrating goals.
Do you have a client success story that highlights the impact of Midwest Marketing?
Absolutely, many in fact. But the one I will share today is the one most near and dear to my heart. When I started my business back in 2005, I had the very fortunate honor of having my employer of many years become my first client. Together, we have made magic over the last thirty years. We grew from a couple single point automotive store to over 14 locations and 9 franchises. We broke over 1,200 records for the sales, service, parts and body shop departments. The owners had faith in me from the beginning and I will always have faith in them as well.
How has Midwest Marketing evolved since it was founded?
A lot has changed over 20 years. Midwest Marketing was created before social media. Midwest Marketing has adapted from placing newspaper ads, TV and radio spots to placing digital marketing and RSV campaigns. The one thing that has stayed consistent is that if you have a great partnership with your clients, and you respect each other, everything will evolve as it should.
What advice would you give to someone looking to get into the marketing profession?
The marketing profession is a fun, fast paced industry. But, I will warn – if you like doing the same thing everyday – this is not the profession for you. What I love about what I do is everyday is a new adventure, a new business problem to solve, a new campaign that crept into my head as a slept at 3am. The people in this business are amazing and there is nothing more rewarding than driving down the street and seeing your creative on a billboard or our ad in the Superbowl or your TikTok post go viral.
If you could go back and change one thing about your journey, what would it be?
I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason so I would not change a thing. I have weathered many storms in the last 20 years from the 2008 market crash to the invention of social media and digital marketing to COVID and the invention of AI. All are part of the journey, and oh what a journey it has been.
Where do you see Midwest Marketing in the next five to ten years?
I see Midwest Marketing continuing to be the leader in technology, trends and growth in new client partnerships. We have worked hard to masterfully plan and take care of our clients business problems as if they are our own. With the awesome seasoned staff we have today, the sky is the limit.
