Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Cinnamon. She and her team shared their story with us below:
In the vibrant world of marketing, where creativity meets strategy and innovation thrives, Amy Cinnamon stands as a beacon of entrepreneurial brilliance. From the halls of corporate giants to the helm of her own empire, Amy’s journey to becoming the CEO and founder of Hyve Marketing is a testament to her unwavering dedication, versatile skill set, and visionary leadership.
Amy’s career began with a solid educational foundation—a Bachelor of Business Administration followed by a Master of Business Administration from Thomas More College, coupled with an Associate of Applied Science from the University of Cincinnati. Armed with academic prowess and a thirst for knowledge, she embarked on a journey that would see her excel across various sectors of the marketing landscape.
Her resume paints a portrait of a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience spanning marketing, brand management, business development, team management, and project coordination. From her early days at Ethicon Endo-Surgery, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, where she meticulously managed post-market product inquiries, to her role as a Business Development Director at Weston Solutions, Inc., where she spearheaded national sales initiatives, Amy proved herself to be a force to be reckoned with.
However, it was during her tenure at OrthoFi, a Denver-based startup revolutionizing the orthodontic industry, that Amy truly found her passion for marketing. As the Marketing Manager, she orchestrated strategic marketing campaigns, managed a substantial budget, and coordinated participation at numerous conferences—a role that allowed her to showcase her creativity and strategic acumen on a grand scale.
In 2018, Amy joined VisionTrust Communications, where she served as the Marketing Services Director, focusing on marketing for orthodontists and dental specialists. Here, she honed her skills in client services, project coordination, and creative content production, further solidifying her reputation as a marketing maven.
But it was in May 2020 that Amy embarked on her most ambitious venture yet—founding Hyve Marketing in Denver, Colorado. With a mission to empower organizations and thought leaders through decisive strategy and creative talent, Amy set out to create a full-service concierge marketing partner like no other. As the CEO and owner, she wasted no time in making her mark, driving $200K in revenue within the first six months and achieving 30% growth each quarter thereafter.
At Hyve Marketing, Amy’s leadership is palpable in every aspect of the business. From providing fractional CMO services for long-term brand strategies to managing production services and overseeing graphic design projects, she leads with a blend of expertise, passion, and a relentless commitment to excellence. Her ability to develop multi-channel communication strategies, coupled with her relationship-driven approach to solving problems, has cemented Hyve Marketing’s reputation as an industry leader.
But perhaps Amy’s greatest strength lies in her ability to inspire and mentor others. With a keen eye for talent and a passion for nurturing growth, she has cultivated a team of creative professionals who share her vision and drive. Together, they continue to push the boundaries of innovation, delivering game-changing marketing collateral and strategies that drive measurable results for their clients.
As Amy reflects on her journey from aspiring marketer to CEO, she remains humbled by the opportunities she’s been afforded and inspired by the challenges she’s overcome. For her, success is not just about achieving personal milestones but about making a meaningful impact on the world around her—a philosophy that continues to drive her and Hyve Marketing forward, towards even greater heights of success and innovation.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Corporate World Struggles:
Gender Bias and Discrimination: In a male-dominated corporate world, at the time I was a working-class mom and often found myself facing systemic gender bias and discrimination. Despite my qualifications and capabilities, I encountered barriers to advancement, unequal pay, and dismissive attitudes from male and female colleagues and superiors.
Work-Life Balance: Balancing the demands of a career with the responsibilities of motherhood can be a daunting task. From juggling childcare arrangements to attending school events doctor’s appointments, and evening classes to obtain my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees I often feel the weight of societal expectations and the constant struggle to find equilibrium between work and family life.
Startup Struggles:
Financial Constraints: As the owner of a startup, managing the financial aspects of a business is challenging. My business is affected by my client’s businesses. Often they might do a poor job of managing their business which in turn causes them to stop using Hyve Marketing’s services.
Client Expectations vs. Reality: Dealing with demanding clients with unrealistic marketing expectations is a common struggle for startups. Despite our best efforts to set clear objectives and manage expectations, I encounter clients who expect immediate results or are unwilling to invest in long-term strategies. This can lead to frustration and tension in client relationships.
Resource Constraints: Unlike established corporations with extensive resources and infrastructure, startups often operate with limited resources and manpower. As a business owner, I wear multiple hats from CEO to marketer to customer service representative—juggling numerous responsibilities with finite resources.
Navigating Uncertainty and Risk: The world of startups is inherently volatile and unpredictable, filled with risks and uncertainties. I regularly have to make strategic decisions amidst ambiguity and adversity. The fear of failure looms large, but so too does the potential for innovation and success.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Hyve Marketing we have a true passion for empowering organizations and thought leaders to differentiate themselves and drive measurable results through game-changing brands and collateral. Hyve Marketing will work with you together to develop and grow your brand using a decisive strategy that is tailored to your unique goals.
The Hyve Marketing brand was established around the idea of creating a marketing firm that enables clients to have an efficient and robust marketing structure to drive business goals and results, tailored to their unique needs. The inspiration was simple, a beehive. Not only are bees an intelligent and creative species, but they build structures unparallel to any other using hexagons, the strongest, most useful shape.
The geometry of this shape uses the least amount of material to hold the most weight, in turn saving the bees some time and energy. Each hexagon is a critical piece in building the overall foundational structure of the hive and hexagons apply to almost everything you can build including your strategic marketing plan. To put it simply, we think marketing is more important than just a pretty logo, which is why we offer a full suite of services and unique monthly partnerships to help you maintain your marketing investments.
We specialize in providing comprehensive solutions tailored to elevate your brand presence and credibility. With a dedicated focus on vCMO services, brand identity, website design and development, graphic design, social media management, content management, videography, and our unique monthly marketing partnership, we offer a holistic approach to meeting your marketing needs.
What makes us really unique is our collaborative approach, we are A Strategic Collective providing clients with an entire marketing department for less than the cost of a part-time employee. With this comprehensive solution, you gain access to a dedicated team of experts who work collaboratively to develop and execute strategic marketing initiatives tailored to your specific goals and objectives.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Learning to Embrace Compatibility:
In the dynamic world of marketing, one of the most valuable lessons we’ve learned at Hyve Marketing is that not every client will be the perfect fit, and that’s okay. While it’s natural to strive to serve every potential client that comes our way, we’ve come to understand that true success lies in nurturing relationships where mutual understanding and appreciation thrive.
Understanding the Diversity of Client Needs:
Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of working with a diverse range of clients, each with their own unique goals, challenges, and expectations. Through these experiences, we’ve come to appreciate the intricacies of client needs and the importance of aligning our services with their specific objectives.
Recognizing the Value We Offer:
While we firmly believe in the value of our services and the expertise of our team, we’ve learned that not everyone will immediately recognize or appreciate the value we bring to the table. In some cases, clients may have different priorities or may not fully understand the scope of what we offer.
Embracing Symbiotic Relationships:
However, we’ve also discovered that for the clients who do value our services, it’s not just a transactional relationship—it’s a symbiotic partnership that fuels growth and success for both parties involved. These are the clients who understand the strategic value of marketing, who trust in our expertise, and who are committed to working collaboratively towards shared goals.
Focusing on Mutual Growth:
In these symbiotic relationships, we’ve found that success is not just measured by the results we deliver, but by the growth and evolution we experience together. By aligning our goals and objectives, communicating openly and transparently, and continuously striving to exceed expectations, we’ve been able to achieve remarkable outcomes that propel both our clients and our own organization forward.
Embracing Compatibility:
Ultimately, the lesson we’ve learned is the importance of embracing compatibility in client relationships. While it’s natural to want to serve everyone, we’ve come to understand that true success lies in focusing our efforts on those clients who truly value what we have to offer, and who are equally invested in our mutual success.
As we continue to grow and evolve as a company, we carry this lesson with us as a guiding principle in all that we do. By prioritizing compatibility and fostering symbiotic relationships with our clients, we are confident that we will continue to achieve success and drive growth for years to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hyvemarketing.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hyvemarketing/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hyvemarketingllc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hyve-marketing
- Other: https://vimeo.com/781975218
Image Credits
Sandy Puc Photography and Hyve Marketing
