This week’s Up-and-Comer is Bailey Zimmerman, an associate account executive at Click Rain Inc.
What keeps you in Sioux Falls?
My family, my colleagues and the Sioux Falls community as a whole. It’s a place where I’ve been able to build a career, give back through volunteering and create lasting relationships. The strong sense of community and the people here make Sioux Falls feel like home.
What’s your favorite thing about your job?
My favorite part of my job is taking complex ideas, projects and processes and making them clear, approachable and easy for our clients to understand. I love bringing structure to what can feel overwhelming and helping clients feel confident every step of the way. Being able to take work off their plates while providing complete transparency and visibility throughout the process is incredibly rewarding. When our clients know exactly what’s happening, what’s coming next and feel supported from start to finish, that’s when I know I’ve done my job well.
How did you get connected to your industry?
During my undergraduate career, I knew I wanted to work at a marketing agency, but I wasn’t entirely sure where I fit. The agency world is fairly niche, and without a background in graphic design or content writing, I questioned how my skill set would translate. After graduating, I applied to agency roles across the region, but entering the job market during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic made finding the right opportunity especially challenging. Fortunately, an agency in Minnesota took a chance on me, giving me the opportunity to launch my career in project management and account services. Looking back, it came down to persistence, identifying my natural strengths and finding a role where those strengths could make an impact. That experience taught me that there isn’t just one path into the agency world. Marketing agencies need strategic thinkers, relationship builders, problem-solvers and organized project managers just as much as they need designers and writers!
Describe your workplace in three words.
Intentional, collaborative and impactful.
What is something someone might be surprised to learn about you?
I like to think I’m a pretty decent chef in the kitchen! I love trying new recipes, whether I’m meal-prepping for the week or baking a pan of treats to share with friends and family. I find cooking to be incredibly therapeutic. It’s a creative outlet that helps me unwind, and I love that it’s something I can use to bring people together and share with others.
What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?
I love seeking out organizations in the Sioux Falls community that align with my passions and values, then giving back by volunteering my time, energy and skills. Rather than spreading myself too thin, I try to be intentional about where I invest my efforts so I can make a meaningful impact. I enjoy building relationships, showing up consistently and doing whatever I can to help others succeed.
What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?
The Hen House Eatery — they’re a local Minneapolis favorite with a delicious menu, and I think another breakfast option would be a great addition! On the retail side, I’d also love to see an Abercrombie & Fitch store return to Sioux Falls.
