Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Van De Kamp.
Hi Samantha, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I actually started my career in traditional media — magazines and newspapers. I have a degree in Mass Communication and Media Studies, and in those early years I was writing, coordinating features, and helping move publications online back when YouTube was one of the few real digital tools available. Then came Facebook for Business, Instagram, LinkedIn… and everything shifted.
As the industry evolved, so did I. I found myself gravitating more toward the digital side of marketing, helping local businesses adapt to this whole new world of online content and social platforms. In 2018, I took the leap and started my own company, VDK Digital.
I’ve always stayed focused on local businesses because that’s where my roots are. Working in newspapers and magazines meant everything I did supported the community right around me — and I’ve carried that into my agency. Marketing for a local business is completely different from marketing for a national brand or an e-commerce company. It’s more personal. You get to work directly with owners, understand their challenges, and build real relationships. That’s my favorite part, and it’s been the foundation of everything I’ve built with VDK Digital.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely not been a perfectly smooth road. I think anyone who starts a business will tell you there are always obstacles, challenges, and unexpected moments that force you to grow. For me, the biggest difference has been the support system around me. My husband has been right there through every stage, and even my kids cheer me on in their own little ways.
Working so closely with the local community has also made a huge impact. When you serve local businesses, you build real relationships, and those same people are the ones who lift you up when things get tough. That sense of community support is a big part of why I have always stayed focused on local businesses. It has made the hard moments feel a lot more manageable and the wins feel even bigger.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
VDK Digital is a social media and digital marketing agency that focuses on helping local businesses get seen and get found. We work with brick and mortar businesses, service based companies, and community focused organizations that rely on local visibility to grow. What we are known for is making digital marketing feel simple and approachable. Instead of overwhelming business owners with strategies they will never use, we put a heavy focus on clarity, consistency, and doing what actually works for a local audience.
We specialize in social media marketing and advertising, content creation, SEO, websites, and local advertising. We also run The Simplified Social, which is our membership and training platform built for business owners who manage their own social media. It gives them strategies, templates, shortcuts, and support that save them time and help them feel confident showing up online.
What sets us apart is our deep understanding of local marketing. The strategies that work for national brands are not the same strategies that help a small business owner get customers through the door. Everything we do is built with that local lens in mind. We know how people search, what they engage with, and what it really takes to stand out in a local market.
Brand wise, I am most proud that we have built something that business owners genuinely trust. Our clients know they can call us, ask questions, and get real help. We take the time to learn their business, understand their goals, and create marketing that actually reflects who they are.
More than anything, I want readers to know that digital marketing does not have to be stressful or complicated. Whether we manage everything for you or teach you how to do it yourself, our goal is the same. We help you show up online with confidence and get in front of the people who need your business the most.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something that surprises a lot of people is that I actually lived in Australia for nearly five years. I worked for a local media company where we literally had the printing press in the back shed. We printed newspapers, magazines, business cards, everything. That experience gave me such a deep understanding of small and truly local business. It is also where I met my husband. We eventually moved to Nashville, but that time in Australia shaped so much of who I am and how I approach my work.
Pricing:
- The Simplified Social, $47/mo
- Social Media Marketing starting at $2,500/mo
- Digital Marketing starting at $1,500/mo
- Custom Packages Available
Contact Info:
- Website: https://vdkdigital.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/vdkdigital/
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/vdkdigital
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-van-de-kamp/
- Other: https://thesimplifiedsocial.com/
