Successful, smart and attractive, Kim Fox learned early in life to follow her bliss. From her first job right out of college to running her own successful marketing business, Kim has been guided by her \u201cwhat feels right\u201d approach as well as a love for making a difference.<\/p>\n
The day we chatted, Kim was at home in the house she shares with her life partner, Chris Thomas. The couple lives on Midway Creek in Pawleys Island, and never tire of its beauty. \u201cWe\u2019ve been together for 13 years, but many people don\u2019t know that we dated in 1986,\u201d Kim began. \u201cI was working for the Litus Corporation, and we hired an ad agency to do some design work. Chris was the art director.\u201d Both were dating other people at the time, but, ironically, broke up with their respective partners around the holidays. \u201cChris asked if I\u2019d be interested in going to each other\u2019s holiday parties and I agreed. One thing led to another and we started dating.\u201d The relationship only lasted a year, but the two remained friends. Years later, Chris moved to Pawleys Island. Again, one thing led to another and Kim and Chris found each other once more \u2013 this time for life.<\/p>\n
Kim\u2019s parents divorced when she was 10, and she spent most of her childhood in Florida with her mom, but her father lived in West Virginia, and had a vacation home in Myrtle Beach where Kim visited often. \u201cI came here after my college graduation to spend time with my father,\u201d Kim began. She decided to check the job listings in the newspaper, saw a few she liked and decided to apply while she was in the area. \u201cThe first couple of jobs I investigated were not what I wanted, but I saw that Litus Corporation had an ad, and I met with Randy Wallace.\u201d Randy hired Kim on the spot to help promote his then-new development in North Myrtle Beach, Bay Tree Golf Resort. \u201cDad and I went for a walk on the beach, and he asked me how much I would make. He stopped dead in his tracks when I told him\u2013 asking me why he paid for a college education so I could make below poverty level.\u201d Kim laughed, remembering this pivotal conversation. \u201cI just knew Litus was the place I wanted to start my career.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 1987, Kim lost her job when new tax laws made investing in second homes less attractive. \u201cI was hired by Briarcliffe Mall as the Marketing Director,\u201d Kim remembered. After two years, Kim moved up the ladder of success again, and went to work for Davis Advertising. \u201cThey had just landed The Litchfield Company account, and I was asked to manage it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eventually, Kim realized she wanted to expand her skills by working for a larger agency and moved to Clearwater, Florida, to work for FKQ Advertising. \u201cI was the right hand person for the daughter of the owner,\u201d Kim said. But, no matter where Kim went, she always ended up back in the Grand Strand area. \u201cBefore I left for Florida, I was handling The Litchfield Company account. This was during the time they declared bankruptcy after Hurricane Hugo.\u201d When The Litchfield Company came out of bankruptcy, they called Kim in Florida to ask if she would come onboard as their Marketing Director. \u201cI was hired to work for four years. This was extended until 2002 when we developed The Reserve, but at that time, my work with The Litchfield Company was pretty much done.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sasee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Kim-Fox-with-Chris-Thomas-420x315.jpg\")
It was suggested to Kim that she should start her own company. She was familiar with hiring experienced freelancers and building teams to solve a business\u2019s marketing issues. \u201cI started Fox Marketing in 2002.\u201d Kim told me real estate resort amenity communities are her specialty.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t do what I do for the money \u2013 I do it because I love it \u2013 I can\u2019t image doing anything else,\u201d Kim told me. \u201cMy commerce is that I\u2019m making some kind of impact \u2013 on a person\u2019s life, business or on a non-profit.\u201d<\/p>\n
I asked Kim about her life and faith outside of the office and she shared another fascinating story. \u201cI grew up in church; before my parents divorced they were very active. My mom became the president of the women\u2019s circle, which was a big deal then.\u201d Continuing, Kim said, \u201cDown the street a Baptist church burned to the ground. My mom went to the minister and said she wanted to invite the women of that church to join her circle while the church was rebuilt. The minister said no \u2013 because that Baptist church was an African American church.\u201d Kim\u2019s mother left the church, never to return, and after her parent\u2019s divorce, Kim stopped attending as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy good friend, Troi Kaz, used to ask me to go to church with her at All Saints in Pawleys Island,\u201d Kim said, remembering. \u201cShe finally convinced me to join a group studying Rick Warren\u2019s book, A Purpose Driven Life. I agreed to go to church and the study group \u2013 and it changed my life.\u201d Today, 12 years later, Kim is an active member of Christ the King Grace Waccamaw Church in Pawleys Island. \u201cI have grown so much in my faith. I feel like I walk in church on Sunday carrying the dirt and soot and mess of the week, and I walk out clean again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kim is also passionate about her volunteer work with many area non-profits. \u201cCurrently I\u2019m chair of the board of directors for Teach My People,\u201d Kim shared. \u201cI\u2019ve been involved for about 15 years. I have a passion for this ministry because I\u2019ve witnessed life changing experiences with our students.\u201d Kim shared a wonderful story that exemplifies Teach My People\u2019s wonderful work. \u201cOur first graduate from Teach My People went to Newbern College and got a job in Human Resources after he graduated. He soon realized this wasn\u2019t his calling and wanted to go back to school. He came home and is now working for us as our 5th grade teacher!\u201d Kim continued, saying this young man works for Teach My People while attending Wesley University where he is studying for his Master\u2019s Degree in Counseling. \u201cHe is the representative of what Teach My People is all about,\u201d Kim said proudly.<\/p>\n
I asked Kim to share her advice for younger women starting out in their careers. \u201cI think people should listen to themselves a little more. Let your friends and family weigh in, but ultimately it\u2019s your decision \u2013 let your feelings and dreams drive where you go and what you do. Like the walk on the beach with my dad \u2013 I had this tickle in my tummy telling me that this was the right place for me to start my career \u2013 and I\u2019ve trusted my heart and the tickle in my tummy throughout my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI love Pawleys Island,\u201d Kim said as we finished our chat. \u201cI\u2019ve been blessed to be able to travel quite a bit and have never found anyplace I love more. Why should I retire? People work and save their entire lives to come here to live.\u201d<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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