Running a small business is all about finding ways to make things work, even if it means recording videos from unconventional places—like your van. I’m Nikole Haumont, founder and CEO of Shield Bar Marketing. In this blog, I’ll share my journey, the growth of Shield Bar Marketing, and what you can expect from our digital marketing services.
My Journey in Business and Marketing
My journey in the world of business and marketing began in 1999, back when I earned my HTML certification via dial-up from a farm. I understand what slow websites are and how frustrating slow internet can be. My first major venture was starting a horse publication with a business partner, which I ran successfully for six years before selling it just two days before my wedding. After relocating to Iowa for my husband’s career, I gained experience working at a large regional printing company and later at GoDaddy.
The Birth of Shield Bar Marketing
After my son was born, my husband and I made the decision that I would work from home instead of working just to pay for daycare. This decision led to the birth of Shield Bar Marketing. Initially, I focused on social media management and website design. For a long time, it was just me managing everything, but eventually, I hired my first subcontractor—a bookkeeper. In 2014, Zeann joined me in managing social media, and we’ve continued to grow and learn ever since.
Growing Shield Bar Marketing
Shield Bar Marketing officially launched in 2013, and since then, we’ve expanded our client base across the United States, Canada, and Northern Mexico. In 2017, we relocated to Arizona for my husband’s career, and it was one of the best decisions we made. The warm climate, with no snow to shovel, has been a refreshing change.
Business Growth and Community Engagement
To accelerate the growth of Shield Bar Marketing, I joined the local Chamber of Commerce and was honored to be named New Business of the Year in 2018. That same year, I co-founded a referral networking group. In 2019, I had the opportunity to participate in a mini Shark Tank competition hosted by the town of Sahuarita. The five months of training, including profit mastery and working with a business coach, taught me valuable lessons about running a business. Despite having started and sold a business in my 20s, there were still many nuances I discovered that have since helped my business thrive.
Overcoming Challenges and Expanding the Team
In 2019, I faced significant health challenges. Simple tasks like working on a project, loading the dishwasher, or picking up my son required me to take frequent breaks to rest. It was a difficult period, but after seeking naturopathic treatment and undergoing biofeedback with SRT therapy (stress reduction therapy), I finally started feeling better.
Determined to continue growing my business, I added more subcontractors to my team. In February 2024, I took a major step forward by acquiring another marketing agency. This acquisition expanded our team from three permanent subcontractors to a full team of three full-time employees, a part-time employee, and three permanent subcontractors. This growth has allowed me to step more fully into my role as CEO.
Reviving the Shield Bar Marketing YouTube Channel
With the expansion of our team, I decided to relaunch the Shield Bar Marketing YouTube channel, which had been on the back burner due to client demands. Now, with a dedicated team in place, one of my goals is to regularly create content that focuses on reputation management, website design, digital advertising, and the challenges of running a small business. We’ll also dive into topics like delegation, finding and hiring great employees, and learning to trust your team to get the job done.
I’m excited to share my journey and insights with you through our YouTube channel and blog. If you have any questions about business, reputation management, digital advertising, websites, or any other aspects of successfully running a small business, feel free to reach out. I’m here to help shorten your learning curve and support your journey toward success. If you’re ready to take off one of those marketing hats, set up a discovery call. Myself or someone from my team at Shield Bar Marketing will be in touch to help you accelerate your business growth.