ABOUT DESIREE MARTINEZ

Marketing Since MySpace

For more than sixteen years, I’ve helped hundreds of small business owners grow and spoken to thousands of professionals about what really works in marketing. I build systems that help real people organize, simplify, and scale their business with confidence.

I’m the founder of The Kast Agency (TKA), an award-winning marketing agency that helps businesses create marketing that works together instead of working against them. I’ve produced more than 1,000 YouTube videos and podcasts to share practical lessons for everyday business owners who want marketing that makes sense.

My work has been featured in Forbes and supported by brands like Adobe, LinkedIn, YouTube, and BNI—organizations that believe in helping small businesses grow. I’ve spoken on stages across the country, including VidCon, the Digital Summit Series, Women’s Venture Summit, and the American Marketing Association, teaching people how to turn confusion into clarity and action.

How It Started

I never planned on a career in marketing. I wanted to be a Disney animator.

After college, during the recession, I was freelancing in graphic design when clients began asking, “What’s this Facebook thing?” In 2009, I was building MySpace pages for apartment communities and helping businesses take their first steps online. When someone told me to turn it into a business, I laughed and said, “No one’s going to pay me to be on Facebook.”

I’ve been eating those words ever since.

Over time, I learned that while the internet moves fast, people don’t. The businesses that last are the ones that stay connected to their community. Every major shift in my career—from building a YouTube channel while living overseas as a military spouse to launching The Kast Agency—came from showing up for people and focusing on connection first.

Why I Care?

I believe strong communities start with strong businesses. When business owners have clarity and confidence in their marketing, they can hire more people, support local causes, and build towns that thrive.

My mission is to help business owners remove the stress, confusion, and overwhelm that comes with marketing. The more time and energy they get back, the more they can do what they love and serve the people who matter most.

A Little About Me

I’m a tea drinker, Harry Potter fan, and Mario Kart champion. I’m also a very nerdy girl at heart with a husband who is a disabled veteran, two kids who are creative entrepreneurs in training, and a rescue dog who believes he should be the center of the world.

I’ve built my business from kitchen tables, on military bases, and across time zones. No matter where I am, I’m cheering for the everyday entrepreneurs who are building something bigger than themselves.

What I Want You to Know

If marketing feels like chaos, I understand. I’ve seen every trend, algorithm change, and platform shift, and I know how overwhelming it can get. You don’t need to do everything. You need a plan that connects what’s already working—your relationships, your reputation, and your community.

That’s what my book Stop Marketing. Start Belonging. is here to help you do.
It’s your guide to creating marketing that feels right, works together, and builds real growth.