Today we’d like to introduce you to Naimah Hamid.
Hi Naimah, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey into marketing didn’t start in a classroom or an agency — it started out of necessity. I was once a small business owner myself, running a coffee shop and doing everything I could to keep it afloat. I believed in my business, I worked endlessly, but I quickly realized that passion alone isn’t enough when you don’t have access to the right tools, knowledge, or resources. Marketing was essential to survival, yet it felt completely out of reach financially.
Instead of giving up, I taught myself. I immersed myself in learning marketing from the ground up — studying human behavior through psychology, earning my degree, completing certifications, and learning how strategy, creativity, and data all intersect. What started as survival turned into a passion, and eventually a career. Along the way, I worked with organizations and businesses of all sizes, but I never forgot how it felt to be on the other side — underfunded, overlooked, and trying to compete in a world built for bigger budgets.
That experience is exactly why I founded Kickstart Marketing Lab Foundation. Kickstart was born from the belief that visibility shouldn’t be limited by budget. We exist to close the gap in marketing access for underfunded small businesses and nonprofits by providing free and subsidized marketing support, education, and real-world guidance. At the same time, we focus heavily on workforce development — creating internship and learning opportunities that give emerging marketers hands-on experience while serving real community needs.
Kickstart isn’t just about marketing — it’s about equity, empowerment, and sustainability. It’s about giving people the tools to not only grow today, but to understand how to grow tomorrow. What started as my own struggle has now become a mission to make sure others don’t have to face theirs alone.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
So far, the road has been incredibly encouraging. We’ve been received very warmly by the community, and the response to our mission has been overwhelmingly positive. If there is one area we’re continuing to build, it’s expanding our network of partners — specifically experienced business professionals and marketers who can join us by leading 45-minute live virtual lessons or webinars for our small business owners and nonprofits. Our goal goes beyond hands-on marketing support; we want to connect people to existing resources, show them what’s already available, and teach them how to use those tools effectively. That way, when our direct support ends, they leave empowered with knowledge they can carry forward and continue applying on their own.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work focuses on marketing strategy, digital marketing, and brand development, with a specialty in helping small businesses and nonprofits build strong, sustainable marketing foundations. Through Kickstart Marketing Lab Foundation, I combine hands-on marketing support with education and workforce development, ensuring organizations not only receive help but also gain the knowledge and resources to continue growing on their own.
What I’m most proud of is my persistence. When I didn’t have the budget to outsource marketing, I chose to learn it myself — earning certifications, pursuing a college degree, and building the skills needed to market my own business. That experience shaped both my career and Kickstart’s mission. What sets us apart is that everything we do is rooted in purpose and community. We believe real growth happens when people share knowledge, support one another, and work together to create lasting change.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Over the next five to ten years, I believe the biggest shift in marketing will be the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. AI is already transforming how we create, analyze, and automate marketing, and professionals who don’t learn how to work alongside it risk being left behind. The opportunity isn’t to replace marketers, but to use AI as a tool to work smarter, stretch limited budgets, and focus more on strategy and creativity.
At the same time, the world is craving human connection more than ever. As we become increasingly digital, community-based marketing, in-person engagement, outreach, and relationship-driven strategies will make a strong return. Marketing is constantly evolving — what worked five years ago doesn’t work the same today, and what works now will continue to change. That’s why at Kickstart, we focus on continuous learning and resource-sharing, helping our members stay up to date on emerging tools like AI while also building authentic, human-centered connections that truly drive growth.
Pricing:
- Free or subsidize Marketing consultation
- Pree or subsidize hands on marketing support
- Free marketing resources
- Free membership
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kickstartmarketinglab.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kickstart_marketinglab
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FWmNhzy8A/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kickstartmarketinglab/
Image Credits
No credit for the images they’re all taken by a selfie stick
