Today we’d like to introduce you to Diamond Holmes
Hi Diamond , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey has a major plot twist, so brace yourself! For about a decade now, I’ve worked in the healthcare industry as a surgical assistant. I truly thought that was my path—I even went back to school to study nursing. Helping people has always been a core part of who I am, and I took pride in making a positive impact on others. For years, I believed healthcare was the only way to do that, but a turning point changed everything.
In January 2021, I caught COVID-19, and during that time of forced rest and reflection, I started questioning my career path. It hit me: I loved building connections and making a difference, but I didn’t have to stay in healthcare to fulfill that purpose. It was a big realization. I decided to switch to marketing management, concentrating in social media marketing, and immediately felt excited by the possibilities. Social media was transforming rapidly, and I saw the vital role marketing plays across all types of businesses. This was a chance to use my interpersonal skills in a new way—to connect brands with their audiences and help them grow.
Fast forward to April 2023: I connected with an anesthesiologist from my full-time job who also ran an esthetician spa. We got to talking, and I became her social media manager, overseeing the spa’s Instagram from April to July. By the end of that project, I knew exactly what I wanted to do—launch my own digital marketing agency specializing in social media marketing.
The following months were a whirlwind. August rolled around, and I spent every spare moment creating my business plan, working full-time, pursuing my degree, and taking on freelance projects. My nights often rolled into the next day, and I barely slept. I was exhausted but determined. I had initially planned to launch in January 2024, but I kept pushing it back, waiting for the “right time.” Then I realized no one is ever “fully ready” to start a new business. So, on May 17th, 2024, I finally launched Diamond Innovations Marketing, and I haven’t looked back since.
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?
Absolutely not! The road has been anything but smooth. To start, I had no real roadmap for entrepreneurship. Outside of a brief venture in 2018 when my best friend and I started a cosmetics line, I hadn’t navigated the business world solo. My parents worked in fields entirely unrelated to business ownership—my mom’s a nurse, and my dad is a retired union plumber—so entrepreneurship wasn’t something I grew up around. My mom did share stories of her grandparents’ restaurant, but without firsthand experience, I didn’t feel naturally prepared to run a business. My best friend has been instrumental in guiding me; she owns a successful hair extensions company, Twelve22Hair, and has patiently helped me navigate this new world. In fact, her company became my first client, and I’ll always be grateful she trusted me enough to collaborate during my startup process. We faced countless hurdles, but each struggle taught me invaluable lessons that have shaped who I am as a business owner.
Balancing my full-time job, school, and my business has been another ongoing challenge. As a surgical assistant, my shifts often stretch to 10-12 hours, and the physical, mental, and emotional toll is draining. Thankfully, I don’t work Fridays, but my weekends are packed with creating content for my clients and keeping up with my own business. It feels like I’m always working, especially with the demands of maintaining both my client accounts and my business presence online.
Then there’s school, which brings its own set of struggles. While most of my classes are online, a few require in-person attendance, adding more pressure to my already tight schedule. Planning my week ahead has become essential—it keeps me organized and allows me to manage my time effectively. On a positive note, many of my courses directly benefit my business, as they give me tools and insights to provide top-notch service to my clients. And with graduation in May 2025 on the horizon, I’m looking forward to having more flexibility and marking another milestone in this journey.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Diamond Innovations Marketing ?
Diamond Innovations Marketing (DIM) is a digital marketing agency I founded in May 2024, dedicated to helping small businesses boost their brand visibility through impactful social media. Our mission is to develop innovative strategies that not only promote our clients’ brands but also connect meaningfully with their audience. From crafting high-quality, engaging reels to designing visually captivating content, we ensure that each piece aligns with our client’s brand identity and message.
What truly sets us apart is our commitment to understanding each client’s unique vision. At DIM, we pride ourselves on our listening skills and ability to translate brand goals into creative and tailored content. It’s not about just posting what’s trendy—it’s about making sure each post is cohesive and purpose-driven. Social media evolves quickly, and while we base strategies on solid market research, we blend that with our own creative insights to deliver exceptional content that stands out.
We are currently in the process of niching down to serve businesses in the retail, cosmetics, and wellness industries, as this focus aligns best with our personal passions and expertise. Our understanding of the unique challenges and trends in these vibrant markets enables us to provide tailored marketing solutions that resonate deeply with their target audiences. We genuinely believe in the transformative power of these industries and are excited to help brands elevate their presence in a way that reflects their true essence.
We value transparency in everything we do, and that’s why building trusting relationships with open communication is core to our process. Many businesses feel disillusioned by agencies that overpromise without delivering, especially when it comes to growth metrics. At DIM, we’re all about setting realistic expectations and creating consistency. Growth takes time, and we work closely with our clients to interpret key metrics and analytics, refining strategies based on data. Our adaptability is crucial—if a campaign isn’t achieving the desired results, we adjust our approach based on real-time insights. This responsive and strategic approach allows us to pivot effectively and work hand-in-hand with our clients to meet their goals, even when it takes trial and refinement.
One of our favorite parts of the job is being on set during BTS (behind-the-scenes) sessions. We genuinely enjoy capturing authentic moments, allowing us to show the true personality of our clients’ brands and connect with their audience on a more personal level. There’s something special about being present in those unscripted moments—it builds trust, gives us insight into our client’s vision, and brings their story to life. This genuine interaction is invaluable for creating a brand community.
Although we specialize in social media marketing, we always offer a full range of digital marketing services. From email marketing to web design, and graphic design—including the curation of digital flyers and brochures—DIM is dedicated to supporting businesses in every aspect of their marketing journey. We’re continuously evolving our offerings to stay in tune with our clients’ needs and the digital landscape. Being part of our clients’ growth journey is something we’re incredibly proud of, and we’re excited to keep expanding the ways we can help their brands succeed.
So stay tuned—more services coming soon!
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
While I don’t currently have a mentor, it’s something I’ve been considering more seriously. I do have friends who are entrepreneurs, and connecting with them has been invaluable—they’ve shared advice, insights, and support that have really helped me along the way. For anyone looking for mentorship or to expand their network, I believe actively participating in industry-specific networking events is one of the best approaches. Although I haven’t yet joined any business groups or attended networking mixers, I plan to do so in the near future. It doesn’t hurt to try!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.diamondinnovationsmarketing.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diamondinnovationsmarketing/
Image Credits
@capturedbyque