We had the good fortune of connecting with Kim Bowman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kim, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
We help startups build brands. We help municipalities build community awareness campaigns for compelling quality-of-life enhancements, like parks and golf courses. We help rural communities build digital economy ecosystems to ignite economic and workforce development. Most importantly, we help small to mid-sized businesses establish robust brands through strategic marketing efforts that encompass high-quality content and design for print and digital activation.

In a nutshell, we help businesses, non-profits, and communities punch above their weight.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My professional life is dedicated to providing creative strategy, assets, and outcomes to small businesses and organizations through K. Hope Creative, a boutique agency specializing in branding and marketing. We have offices in Hartsville, SC, and Kilkenny, Ireland. Our clients span for-profit, non-profit, and municipal sectors and include everything from schools, restaurants, and spas to parks, retail stores, museums, and advocacy agencies.

When not helping clients build or enhance their brands or launch large-scale marketing campaigns, I support rural communities across the Palmetto State through my non-profit, South Carolina’s Rural Innovation Network or SCRIN. SCRIN works to close the digital equity gap and guide community leaders to build digital economy ecosystems to spark economic and workforce development.

I am incredibly proud of both K. Hope Creative and SCRIN and the impact we’re making on people’s lives by helping them grow and sustain their businesses and communities. Earlier this year, K. Hope Creative won an SCPRSA Award of Excellence for the “We All Rise” campaign for a new all-abilities park in Goose Creek, SC. At the same time, one of SCRIN’s network communities, Lane, SC, was awarded $100,000 for its work with the Digital Economy Ecosystem (DEE) Initiative.

The diversity of people and projects we work with helps us deliver high-quality, impactful results, which we call the “magic in our mix.”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
South Carolina is full of amazing cities, including Hartsville, SC. I want to launch a tourism campaign focused on Hartsville as a charming weekend destination.

Visitors can stay at one of three friendly hotels, including the boutique hotel, The Mantissa. Hartsville offers excellent restaurants and shops, like Sam Kendall’s, The Blind Pig, Minnie’s and The Bleu Daisy. Enjoy brunch at The Rooster and stroll the Fleur de lis Antique Mall and Kalmia Gardens, then stop for a drink at Vintage before heading to Black Creek Bistro restaurant for dinner.

The Hartsville Museum provides a snapshot of the community’s past, while the Hartsville Country Club invites visitors to play 18 holes.

Grab a coffee at Crema, a scone at Grigg’s Bakery, and take in the stars at The Mantissa’s Rooftop Bar.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Catie Beth Bowman and Nick Kask are my long-time partners at K. Hope Creative. They are talented beyond measure and always rise to the challenge. Catie Beth runs our office in Kilkenny, Ireland, although we work in tandem on all branding and marketing projects.

Paola Gutierrez of the SC Office of Rural Health and Jonellyn Dittehauser of the SC Rural Innovation Network (SCRIN) help SCRIN grow its statewide footprint of Digital Economy Ecosystem communities. Their insights and connections ensure our non-profit stays vibrantly visible and connected.

Website: www.khopecreative.com www.scruralinnovation.org

Instagram: @khopecreative

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ kim-bowman-07

Facebook: @khopecreative

Image Credits
Photos of me and my daughter were taken by Wright Media

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSouthCarolina is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.