There are fewer things in life more satisfying than being professionally fulfilled. It’s much more of a rarity than one might think, but when it happens, it can seem as though the world is, for lack of a better term, your oyster. (I’ve never really understood that reference, mainly because I can’t stand eating anything from under the sea.) So, when you’re in an industry you love, and you look forward to heading into the office every day, you just can’t help but feel good about yourself. DAM good.
Joanna Dubbeldam is the Founder and President of DAM2, a boutique marketing firm she started just over a year ago. Given her decade plus tenure in the marketing world, opening her own shop was a natural progression. She left a cushy job as the Director of Marketing at Metropolitan Hotels – where she had the distinction of being the youngest Director the chain has ever had – and leapt into the world of entrepreneurship, during a scary, little period some like to call “the recession.”
Joanna started a precedence of pursuing passion early on, switching from studying commerce to art history and French at the University of Toronto. From here, she entered the art world, starting in galleries, and eventually moving onto start her own business as an art consultant and artist agent. An opportunity as event coordinator for a marketing firm presented itself, and given her inclination to trying new things, it was only natural for Joanna to move on to a new industry. At first, Joanna kept her business in the art world going, but after it became apparent that she was too busy to commit wholeheartedly to both industries, she said goodbye to the art world and focused on the new path at hand.
In marketing, Joanna cultivated an appreciation for creative (campaigns, etc.) and design. Her fascination led her to a position at Metropolitan Hotels, where she started working on projects for Senses restaurant. She quickly climbed the company ladder, and over time, found herself as the Director of Marketing. Not being content to focus solely on strategy – she calls herself a “generalist” – Joanna launched an in-house advertising agency for Metropolitan. This way, she could work on both creative and strategy, which she sees as two halves of a whole (most would agree).
Fast-forward a couple of years, and Joanna has founded a successful firm of her own where she is elated to be able to sit in her office, staring out her fifteen foot window, scratching Max’s (her dog and the office mascot) ears. After creating a role for herself to combine both agency and corporate marketing at the hotel chain, she has a level of experience many in the marketing world can only dream of. Her reputation preceded her, and one of Joanna’s first clients was 1 King West, a luxury hotel and residence in downtown Toronto. Her work on 1 King West landed DAM awards, and cemented her new company’s position as a firm of note while it was still in its infancy.
“It is very rewarding. I’m lucky and grateful for the clients I have gotten, most of which are through referrals,” says Joanna. “I have a model of staying small and being client-focused. My clients know I have their best interests in mind.”
Joanna credits being passionate about what she does as one of the most important aspects that has led to her success. “Stay true to yourself and you’re going to be good at whatever you love. You’ll do well because that’s your passion.”
For entrepreneurs, Joanna recommends “being really clear about your plan and focus, speak with others and do your research, and test out your idea with potential clients. Make sure it’s something worth your while, and that you market properly from the get-go. Look your best, and start off with strong branding.” Her other piece of advice? “Sweat the small stuff. Etiquette will never lose its place in the business world. Clients want integrity, sincerity, and manners.”
As Joanna and DAM continue to shuck, the only question that comes to mind is “How far will she go?” and the only answer I can think of is “Anywhere she wants.”
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