Featuring Kim Atkinson, Co-Founder & COO, Foundery Digital Marketing Group
Each year, London Inc. highlights the women shaping our local business landscape through its Faces of Women-Led Business feature.
Now in its second year, this issue brings together 31 professionals and entrepreneurs who are not just leading companies, but redefining industries, leadership, and what success looks like today. As the publication puts it, these women are “shaping industries, redefining entrepreneurship and inspiring generations of women to come.”
For Kim Atkinson, Co-Founder and COO of Foundery Digital Marketing Group, that work comes down to one thing: building something that lasts.
Be Found. Be Relevant. Grow.
At Foundery, the mission goes beyond traditional digital marketing. “We’re focused on helping businesses not just be found, but be relevant in an increasingly AI-driven search landscape,” says Atkinson.
As COO, her role spans operations, strategy, and client success, ensuring the business evolves alongside the rapid shifts happening in search, marketing, and technology. “We’re not just delivering work, we’re constantly refining how we operate and how we help clients stay ahead of where the industry is going.”
From Asking Questions to Building a Business
Kim’s path into entrepreneurship wasn’t linear. Her early career, ranging from hospitality to conservation work in Southern Africa, shaped a hands-on, people-first approach and a strong instinct for problem-solving.
“I didn’t start with a perfectly mapped-out plan. I started by asking questions and looking for better ways to solve problems.” That mindset led to identifying gaps in how businesses were showing up online, and how agencies were delivering value, ultimately forming the foundation of Foundery.
Leading Through Constant Change
One of the biggest challenges today is the pace of change. “Marketing is being reshaped in real time by AI. What worked even a year ago is already outdated.”
Internally, that pressure shows up in team capacity, alignment, and focus. Her approach is direct: strong processes, clear communication, and a commitment to continuous learning. “We don’t pretend to have all the answers, but we move quickly, evaluate, and adapt.”
Owning Your Value
A defining mindset shift in Atkinson’s career was moving from proving her value to owning it. “I realized I needed to see myself as a professional first, not define myself as a female professional.”
That shift shaped how she leads today, with confidence, clarity, and a refusal to shrink in rooms where she belongs.
Culture Is What You Reinforce
At Foundery, culture is operational, not aspirational. “Culture isn’t what you say, it’s what you reinforce.”
That shows up through clear expectations, accountability, and ongoing support across the team.
Kim also takes a hands-on approach to onboarding, meeting with each new team member to set expectations around mutual respect and delivering on commitments.
“The way our team operates directly impacts the quality of our work and the results we deliver.”
Staying Ahead Means Staying Close to Change
In an industry defined by rapid evolution, staying competitive requires more than keeping up. It means anticipating what’s next. From attending industry events to developing tools like Foundery’s AI Readiness Audit, Atkinson ensures the team is actively testing, learning, and adapting.
“The shift from traditional SEO to AI-driven discovery isn’t theoretical, it’s already happening. Our job is to evolve before our clients feel the impact.”
Redefining Success
Like many leaders in this year’s feature, Atkinson’s definition of success has evolved. “Early on, success looked like growth — more clients, more revenue, more visibility.” Today, it’s more measured.
“It’s about building something sustainable. A business that runs well, supports the team, delivers real value, and allows for a life outside of work.”
That mindset reflects a broader pattern across the women featured in Faces of Women-Led Business — success increasingly shaped not only by profit margins and growth charts, but by empathy, mentorship, adaptability, and community engagement.
Ambition, Without Burnout
Balancing ambition with wellbeing isn’t about perfection, it’s about intention. “There are weeks where work demands more, but long-term performance depends on taking care of yourself.”
For Atkinson, that means time with family and friends, staying active, and being deliberate about how her time is spent. “It’s not about perfect balance. It’s about being intentional.”
Advice for the Next Generation
Atkinson’s advice is straightforward: “Don’t wait until you feel ready. There is never a perfect time.” Start before you’re fully confident. Ask questions. Learn as you go. “And don’t downplay your perspective. The way you think, lead, and solve problems is your advantage. Own it.”
Building What Comes Next
What stands out most in this year’s Faces of Women-Led Business isn’t just the success of the women featured — it’s how they’re building it. With intention. With resilience. And with a clear-eyed understanding that the rules are changing.
Leaders like Kim Atkinson aren’t just adapting to that change. They’re helping define what comes next.
