When we started Finden Marketing, we had a simple goal: to help businesses tell their stories in a way that actually connects with people. We didn’t set out to become a global agency or work with companies across multiple countries. We just wanted to do great work and help businesses grow. Here’s a little story about our Duluth Marketing Agency.
Fast forward four years, and our work has reached clients far beyond Duluth. It’s been incredible to see how our “small town feel” resonates with businesses from different industries, cultures, and time zones. As I reflected on everything we’ve built, I decided to put together this map. What started as a way to visualize where our work has traveled turned into something more—a reminder of just how far a small-town agency can go when you focus on relationships, results, and the right kind of growth.
The Power of a Small-Town Approach in a Global Market
There’s something special about running a business in Duluth, Minnesota. It’s a city that values community, hard work, and authenticity—qualities that are often overlooked in the fast-paced world of marketing. But these values are exactly what have helped us grow beyond our hometown.
Many of the companies we work with—whether they’re in Minneapolis, Mexico City, or Munich—are looking for more than just another agency. They want a partner they can trust, someone who genuinely cares about their success. That’s where our small-town roots give us an edge.
We take the time to truly understand each client’s needs. We don’t push cookie-cutter marketing strategies or inflated budgets. Instead, we focus on what actually works, using data-driven insights while staying grounded in the fundamentals of great branding and storytelling.
How We Built a Global Client Base (Without Trying to Be a Global Agency)
We never had a formal strategy for expanding internationally. In fact, most of our global clients found us through referrals, past collaborations, or just good old-fashioned word of mouth. Here’s how it happened:
1. Doing Great Work That Speaks for Itself
One of the biggest reasons we’ve been able to grow beyond Duluth is because we focus on results. If you help a business succeed, they’re going to tell other businesses about you. Some of our earliest clients referred us to their partners, and before we knew it, we were working on projects in different states and countries.
This organic growth has been the best kind—there’s no better marketing than happy clients who genuinely believe in what you do.
2. Prioritizing Relationships Over Transactions
From the start, we’ve treated every client like a long-term partner, not just a project. That mindset has helped us build lasting relationships with businesses across different industries. Some of our clients started with a single project and have now worked with us for years.
By focusing on trust, transparency, and collaboration, we’ve created an agency that feels like an extension of our clients’ teams. That level of personal investment is rare in marketing, and it’s one of the reasons our work has traveled so far.
3. Saying Yes to Unique Opportunities
Some of our favorite projects have come from unexpected places. A referral from a local business led to a collaboration with a European startup. A past client introduced us to a nonprofit in South America. A simple conversation at an event turned into a full-scale branding project for a company in Canada.
We’ve never been afraid to take on projects that challenge us or push us outside our comfort zone. If it’s a good fit and we believe in the work, we’ll find a way to make it happen—regardless of location.
4. Leveraging Digital Tools to Stay Connected
The world has never been more connected, and that’s been a huge advantage for us. With video calls, cloud-based collaboration tools, and real-time communication platforms, we can work with clients anywhere just as seamlessly as if they were down the street.
We’ve invested in making sure our process is smooth, efficient, and adaptable. Whether we’re branding a company in Europe or running an ad campaign for a U.S.-based business, we make sure our clients feel like we’re right there with them.
What We’ve Learned Along the Way
Expanding our reach has been an exciting journey, but it’s also taught us some valuable lessons about what really matters in business.
1. Bigger Isn’t Always Better
There’s a lot of pressure in the marketing world to grow fast, scale aggressively, and chase big-name clients. But we’ve found that the best growth comes from staying true to what we do best—helping businesses succeed with thoughtful, strategic marketing.
We don’t need to be the biggest agency in the world. We just need to be the right agency for the clients who align with our values and approach.
2. Authenticity Wins Every Time
People can spot inauthenticity a mile away. Whether we’re working with a small local business or a global brand, the same rule applies: authenticity matters.
That’s why we don’t sell marketing gimmicks or trends that don’t make sense for our clients. We focus on real strategies that build lasting success.
3. Every Business, No Matter the Size, Wants to Be Understood
One of the things we’ve noticed is that businesses everywhere—whether they’re in a small town or a major city—struggle with the same fundamental challenges. They want to stand out, connect with the right audience, and grow in a sustainable way.
That’s why our approach works across different industries and markets. At the end of the day, marketing is about understanding people, and that’s something we’ve always prioritized.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Finden Marketing?
Seeing how far our work has traveled has been both humbling and inspiring. We’re incredibly proud of the relationships we’ve built and the brands we’ve helped shape. But we’re not done yet.
As we look ahead, we’re excited to keep growing—on our own terms. That means continuing to refine our process, staying true to our small-town roots, and working with businesses that share our values.
Whether you’re a startup in Duluth, a growing company in another state, or a brand looking to expand globally, we’d love to be part of your journey. Let’s build something great together.
Let’s Talk!
If you’re looking for a marketing partner who actually cares about your success, let’s connect. Drop us a message, check out our work, or just say hello—we’d love to hear from you.
About Finden Marketing
Finden Marketing is a Duluth, Minnesota-based marketing firm that provides comprehensive marketing solutions to all sizes of businesses. With plans starting at less than $1,500 Finden Marketing works with all marketing budgets. Their team offers a range of services including market research, advertising, branding, public relations, digital marketing, and website design. With a team of experienced marketing professionals and a commitment to delivering results, Finden Marketing helps businesses achieve their marketing goals. Furthermore, this helps them reach new levels of success. Whether a business is looking to establish a strong brand presence, increase visibility, drive sales, or build customer loyalty, Finden Marketing has the expertise and resources to help make it happen.
Additionally, with awards including the Best Consulting Firm in Duluth, Best Graphic Designers in Duluth, Best Website Designers in Duluth, and Best of Minnesota. Finden Marketing is here to help you with your marketing needs. Get your free business consultation to see how you can grow your business through marketing, today. To learn more about Finden Marketing visit us at our office in Duluth, Minnesota.
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Additionally, for more great blogs make sure to check out our website at findenmarketing.com/weekly-ember
Here are some other blogs you might find interesting
https://findenmarketing.com/whats-the-difference-between-a-logo-and-branding
Contact Finden Marketing
- Website: Finden Marketing
- Phone: (507)-696-6493
- Email: info@findenmarketing.com
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to serving you in the future!
