Limelight Marketing and Promotions was founded by two freelance marketing consultants, Cathy Shaw and Kimberlee Shaw (whose husbands are first cousins).  Both left their full time jobs as marketing professionals to become full time stay at home moms, but neither could stay away for long.  Within a few months, they returned to consulting part time and their entrepreneurial spirit was stronger than ever.

After months of trading stories, bouncing ideas off each other, and sharing the excitement of new projects and assignments, the idea hit them: why not join forces and make it official?

So in 2004 the team formed Limelight…

Cathy Shaw
I left Radford University in 1991 armed with a degree in Journalism & Public Relations, determined to make a difference in the world.  I first thought about becoming a reporter then a broadcaster, but I couldn’t resist the urge to save something or someone.  I decided that the environment needed my attention and went to D.C. to intern for an environmental non-profit.  It was here that I first learned about fundraising and “friendraising” and I left the District six months later a very mission driven young woman. 

I moved on to the Maryland Affiliate of the American Heart Association where I became a “Jill of all trades.”  I was a fundraiser, a staff and volunteer recruiter/manager, a public relations/marketing/promotions agent, and event planner, all under the title of “Development Director”…and loved it! 

After almost 3 years, however, I was bitten by the California bug and followed my heart to San Francisco.  I became an Account Executive for a PR firm in the city, but longed to once again put my skills to work for a good cause.  The California Affiliate of the AHA became my new home, where I planned and executed all aspects of the Division’s premier fundraiser, a wine and food tasting gala/live & silent auction.  I learned most all there is to know about multi-tasking in this job—a skill that serves me quite well as a mother of two!

Several years later I left the AHA to become a marketing consultant, and serviced clients from the financial, hospitality, technology, and non-profit industries.  I created and implemented marketing plans, managed direct mail campaigns, and continued planning special events.  In 2002, my husband and I moved back to Maryland and just a few months after reuniting with Kimberlee, Limelight Marketing & Promotions was born.

Kimberlee Shaw
After graduating high school I enrolled at the University of Maryland where I initially majored in civil engineering. Realizing that wasn’t for me (the calculus classes alone killed me) I switched to business, and received my bachelor’s degree in marketing with a minor in economics.

I went to work for a large regional home improvement chain where I had been an intern during college. As their marketing finance administrator I learned a lot about budgets, tracking and reporting.

My career later took the direction of marketing manager for a restaurant franchise based in Baltimore, where my responsibility increased and I ended up managing all aspects of franchise relations, marketing program development and finances including print, radio, direct mail and POP materials. I also had a lot of fun with new restaurant grand opening plans, getting involved in event planning including promotions, opening day activities and public relations.

I made my final career move to a Timberline Software reseller in 1996 as their marketing director. It was here that I really honed my marketing “executive” skills. Involved in all aspects of marketing, sales and administration, I helped take the company from three people (myself and the two owners) to a multi-office top 10 Timberline reseller worldwide.

I developed marketing programs and budgets, training and seminar programs, advertising design and placement, wrote technical articles and newsletters, created client retention programs, and managed the 20,000 prospect database. I was heavily involved in industry non-profit associations where I served on committees who created two Technology Councils to serve the membership.

Now that I’ve had some time off to be a Mom, my children are entering school and I’m ready to focus on growing our business and to help companies grow theirs through well-planned marketing strategies designed to increase their exposure to new customers.