We recently had the chance to connect with Marin Davis and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Marin, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
My kids (5, 3, and 1) and being outside. Especially if we are playing, I am intentional about the phone staying inside and not be distracted. Hiking, exploring and being grateful that God made such a beautiful world we have the privilege to see, hear, experience, etc!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Marin Davis, Founder of the branding and marketing agency, Local Collaborative. Local Collaborative pairs simple, creative approaches with strong, clear communication strategies to provide small businesses with the marketing and branding they need to succeed. My team collaborates with businesses to create a memorable brand people will fall in love with.
We are known for beautiful brand design whether to launch something new or refresh an existing brand and managing social media marketing. Our work is straightforward, personal, simplified and clean.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
I’d say my entrepreneurial spirit began at a young age. I come from a multi-generational farming family in Kansas where my great grandfather started 4-H in Coffey County. I was a 4th generation 4-Her and Miss 4-H 2009. I also represented Kansas in D.C. for Citizenship Washington Focus, Kansas Youth Leadership Forum and several other trips and conferences so I have always had a passion for leadership and high-level involvement in my community.
Constantly adapting helped me embrace the challenges of being a military spouse, mother, and business owner. After earning my degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Kansas State University, my marketing industry journey began. I had the honor to work alongside creative teams at an award-winning advertising agency on renowned brands such as Cuties, Mighties, and Panda Express. After getting married in 2015 and experiencing an extremely fruitless job search as a military spouse, I made the pivotal decision to begin my own marketing agency which allowed me to grow my career as we grew our family and moved around the country. Local Collaborative is unlike any other digital marketing agency due to its dedication to collaboration and empowering talented professionals, including other work-from-home parents and military spouses who aspire to pursue their careers while prioritizing family. We work to deliver exceptional results while understanding the needs of small businesses individually. We take pride in alleviating the stress of social media marketing for small business owners.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
For over two and a half years my husband and I struggled to conceive. Once we started sharing our story I not only realized how MANY friends had gone through the same thing but to this day, almost 6 years later, I still receive messages from people needing guidance or later tell me how it helped. Years later we experienced a miscarriage and, on top of multiple other struggles that spun around these lows, we learned and grew more than I imagined.
Suffering often teaches things success simply can’t like depth of empathy. Pain makes you notice the pain of others; success rarely does that. My therapist at the time said just because you have a sprained ankle and someone else has a broken ankle doesn’t mean your sprain doesn’t hurt.
It also helps add perspective for what to say, how to behave and how to help. It provided clarity and intentionality with personal and work life. I held everything loosely and appreciatively. My priorities were never blurred. I expressed humility without objections.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m extremely passionate about military spouses; especially Active Duty like me.. Knowing their value, recognizing their sacrifices, and employing their talents. People are quick to say “Thank you for your service” or “Support Our Troops” but don’t take action on those statements. I would love to spread awareness as to how to hire this demographic virtually.
Behind every uniformed service member stands a military spouse who has sacrificed just as much—often putting their own careers, dreams, and stability on hold. Frequent moves, deployments, and the unpredictability of military life make steady employment feel out of reach, leaving too many talented, dedicated spouses facing unemployment not by choice, but by circumstance. Military spouses face an unemployment rate of around 21%, which is nearly four times higher than the civilian average (DoD, 2023).
About 63% of military spouses report being underemployed—working jobs below their skill or education level. Nearly 90% of military spouses have some college education, and about 30% hold bachelor’s degrees or higher, yet many still struggle to find sustainable work.
Their resilience holds families together, yet their struggles too often go unseen—reminding us that supporting our service members means supporting the ones who stand beside them, too. If someone is wanting to hire a military spouse, in any industry, please contact me!! The network of eager and qualified spouses runs deep [email protected]
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I would hope someone said I made a difference in their life. That I made someone laugh, that I helped and served well, that I made them feel like a somebody and that I was a good friend. I want them to speak about my persistent faith through trials and my intentionality with my parenting. I hope my kids are proud of me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/localcollaborative
- Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/marin-davis/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mylocalcollab
- Youtube: https://www.instagram.com/localcollaborative
Image Credits
Noreen Nooner
Randi Scheutte
Diana DeFatta, Luxe Refined Branding Photographer
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
