I started my formal training in marketing and sales when I was 19 years old and obtained my first job in sales during college.  It was hard core health club sales back in the 70's & 80's and it was brutal. I found out early on that if the marketing department didn't do their job of spreading the company's business message then the sales department had no one to sell memberships to that week. No sales - no money.

One of my first mentors, Brian Tracy.

In the next twenty years I went from selling health club memberships to selling education, oil and gas, staffing, pagers, media, delivery and transportation. If you could help people grow their businesses and make money through marketing and selling their product or service I was a part of it and I loved it!

In 1989 I decided to use my marketing and sales talents for my own benefit when my husband and I started our first company. In ten years time we went from a small two person start up to one of the largest 'black car' companies in Dallas, Texas. He handled the operations and I handled the marketing and sales all the while building the company for a lucrative exit. We successfully sold that company in 2002 and took a year off to recover and figure out what our next venture would be.

My sales coach, Jeffrey Gitomer.

During that 'year off' I helped friends market their own products and services and finally decided to start a local community magazine in 2003. It was the best of both worlds for me. It allowed me to use my talents and experience in Marketing and Sales as well as become an active member of the community and meet other business owners and entrepreneurs.

Bob Burg taught me tons about how to get referrals!

In the years since 2003 I have started three more magazines and taught others how to do the same. Whenever I spoke with my customers (business owners), I realized how much I enjoyed teaching them how to market their products and services better. I taught them how to think outside of the 'advertising' box that they were used to working within. Many of them would offer to hire me as their marketing consultant and I would jokingly tell them 'that I had enough irons in my fire'.

I have a very strong affinity towards small business owners. An Entrepreneur lays it all on the line to be able to start their business and to keep it running successfully. Often, we do this at the cost of our family time, health and emotional well-being. America is built on the backs of small business owners. We are its foundation and its substance. Without small business, America would not be America. Small business owners are what keeps America sane. In our small way we remind everyone that good business is good for everyone, bottom lines have to balance out and non-profits, big business and large government must be run like a small business. We can't borrow from our future and we can't rely on our past. I LOVE small business owners.

Looking back through the years I realized that I became adept at using my marketing skills for the promotion of a lot of my own projects and interests.  Here are just a few of the things I have accomplished through marketing and self promotion.

• Radio Commercial Voice-overs
• On Air Talent/Spokesperson for Television Infomercials
• Fort Worth Sales Person of the Year
• Founded the United Hockey Moms Organization
• Written and Published articles in national publications
• Published children's book in 2002
• TV Commercials
• Advisory Board of AskPatty.com 
• Chamber President
• Founded a local Toastmasters Club
• Rotarian of the Year
• Guest Lecturer on Marketing at University of North Texas 
• Guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show
• Guest Panelist on Marketing To Women at Texas Women's University
• Presenter of 'How To Write an eBook' to a Self Publishing Support Group
• Panelist on 'Marketing Your Book'
• Speaker at Wellness Expo
• Founder of the Wise Merchants Association

This is me during an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2007
Yes, that's me with blond hair! 

Well, at the beginning of 2009 I began looking at how much marketing 'training' I was  doing and finally decided that this is where I needed to place most of my emphasis. With the downturn in the economy, so many small businesses needed help figuring out how to market their products and services with limited or non-existent advertising budgets. Since I had been coaching small business owners and non-profit organizations for five years with great results, I knew that I had helped them and I could help others. I didn't get rid of any 'irons' I just made my fire bigger.

I still have my publishing company and am always looking for other creative streams of income but my main emphasis is now on coaching small business owners and non-profit organizations on how to market themselves in order to gain more customers and add to their success and their bottom line.

I can help you determine what your inspired marketing message is and who you want to hear and act upon it.  Inspired Marketing is never about the money, it is always about the end result of living up to your potential as a person, business owner and member of the community. The rest just happens as a result of your marketing message and the energy you put behind it. Contact me when you are ready to jump start your business or organization.

 Kim Tinkham
817-291-8465 or kim@kimtinkham.com

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What my clients are saying about their relationship with me.

Many of my clients choose to remain anonymous and I respect their wishes. Here are just a few who chose to share their coaching relationship with you. Please feel free to contact these people to gain more information.

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"Working as my marketing coach, Kim Tinkham has provided me with a more balanced business life, a higher level of self-awareness, lower daily stress levels, and the ability to make smarter choices in goal setting. Her experience and easy-going presentation have opened my eyes to possibilities that I would have never discovered on my own. She has taught me to focus. Kim has provided me a tailor-made approach that is within my understanding and has instructed me in implementation. Kim listens and hears beyond my thoughts, into my dreams. She is an invaluable business tool, worth more than money could buy. I value Kim as a sounding board, business mentor, friend, and teacher."

Keitha Story-Stephenson, DS, Bluesky Wellness Center, 817.220.5262

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"I would highly recommend Kim Tinkham to any small business owner who is interested in increasing profitability. Kim is very gifted in crafting print advertisements, email blasts, flyers, posters, etc. Kim is also very innovative in marketing ideas to increase traffic to your location."
 
Bill Joiner, 4 Minute Fitness Studios, 940.393.3674

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Kim, I want to personally thank-you for helping me market my business!  As a result of hiring you, and following your advice, I feel it has increased the number of people that come into my store and also the amount they spent while visiting.  I am forever grateful for your help!

Sincerely, Shirley Clark, Elegance Designs/Savvy Consignments, 817-594-7770

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Kim Tinkham is a motivator.  In her seminar, Get Motivated Makes Cents!, Kim addressed the audience with several means of marketing your business.  She was very practical in her approach as well as right on target.  The audience seemed spellbound throughout the presentation.  Kim is a wonderful speaker with a common sense approach to what a business needs to succeed in this economic era.  We were very pleased to have Kim Tinkham as a Chamber member and to be able to use her expertise.  We appreciate her willingness to share vital information with those present and to give them ways to actually market their business.  Several have put that knowledge to practice..

Peggy Hutton, Weatherford Chamber of Commerce, 817-596-3801

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Kim, I just wanted to thank you again for teaching the “Networking” class yesterday.  It was GREAT!  I learned so much and feel much better about going to a networking event now.  It really helps to know what works and what you need to do to attract potential clients.  You really made me feel special and I hope I can do the same for someone else.  Please let me know if you are teaching another class.  Thanks!   Lynn Monaco, CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company, REALTOR, 800-451-8055

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"Kim, thank you for making me fall in love with my business again!"

Sydney Howell, Harpist, Harps of Gold

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"Kim spoke at one of our monthly membership luncheons addressing “Marketing in the 21^st Century.” The membership was able to walk away with several “nuggets” of information about how to market their business in this tough economy using social media opportunities and how to stay connected on the web. I would recommend any business utilize Kim’s expertise on how to network properly and marketing their business."

Lisa Flowers, President, East Parker County Chamber of Commerce, 817-441-7844

Contact Information
kim@kimtinkham.com
817-291-8465  fax 817-887-2432

P.O. Box 521
Boyd, Texas 76023