Keva Marie Dine
Keva Marie Dine
Creative Recruiter/Personal Branding Strategist
Bay Area, California
www.kevadine.com
Instagram @kevadine
Twitter @kevadineagency
Linkedin
Facebook.com/keva.dine
What do you do?
“I rock my job, so you can rock yours.”
I'm a creative recruiter, personal branding strategist, and owner of The Keva Dine Agency - a leading creative industry search firm focused on placing creatives in the advertising, fashion/beauty, design, digital and marketing industries. Since 2001 the Keva Dine Agency has partnered with established brands and up and coming consultancies nationwide.
When I’m not running my business, I’m running a household and raising two boys.
I’m also on the board of directors at the Keep A Breast Foundation whose mission is to empower young people around the world with breast health education and support.
What steps did you take to get where you are now?
I’ve worked in ALL facets of the creative industry. I’ve designed company identity, launched websites, conceived advertising campaigns. I’ve been a marketing director, art director, designer, producer, and illustrator. I started my own clothing company at 19, was a pioneer in the girls clothing space in the 90’s creating POOT! Clothing (Anyone remember Girls Kick Ass!?) Foxy Zine and Foxy.com. Oh and I’m also a published author and went on a book tour, YIP!
It’s these experiences that have allowed me to see the creative process from all angles which is at the heart of what makes me a badass creative recruiter!
For other people in your field, what do they usually lack?
“I understand the needs of my clients because I’ve been one, I understand the needs of my creative candidates because I’ve been one, too.”
An insider perspective of the creative industry.
What are you working on right now?
Searching for and placing top creative talent at an up and coming digital agency that is working on a super secret collab with a tech giant here in the Bay Area.
We are all Slashies with multiple skills, which one do you wish you could do more often?
Coaching. Speaking Events.
I have a ton of experience and insight to share. I know industry secrets, and I know what gets you hired! And I’m really good at giving advice.
What is frustrating you right now?
The myriad of hoops that need to be jumped through to get on a live phone call with a potential candidate. Sometimes when the phone rings it’s not a telemarketer it’s actually opportunity knocking! So pick up….or at least empty that voicemail box once in a while.
What task keeps landing at the bottom of the To Do list?
Keeping all my professional profiles and bios up to date across all the many many platforms. Not to mention my personal website kevamarie.com!
If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Database cleanup and maintenance - we want to focus our efforts on finding talent, not entering their data!
April 2018 Update: I found her! BOOM!
Let's bring out the time machine. What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
Learn excel, even though you hate it. Oh and maybe not name the company after you. Or maybe yes. See, I'm conflicted.
If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
The “Fab Five” of workspace/productivity design….that’s a thing right?
Someone who is an expert on office spaces and technology set up! What screens do we need, desks, chairs, office environment, ergonomics, cable management. HELP!
What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
New talent. Always.
What is your ideal client?
My ideal client trusts me to find who they need and trusts that I know who will be great for them. My best clients are committed to making the hire and are willing to do their due diligence when it comes to interviewing and providing me with feedback. It’s all about transparency!
Do you allow yourself to say No?
“If it’s right, it will feel right and it will flow.”
Yes, but it takes practice. It's never easy to walk away from an opportunity and the money that comes with it but if it ends up being the type of situation where you are forcing something to fit it probably means it’s time to walk away.
What is your rate?
Clients pay me a % of the candidates annual salary or a total of the booked project.
How should someone approach you about working together?
Let me know how you found me whether it’s via iLC a friend or colleague, it is always helpful and gives me a sense of the world you are coming from and the connections we may share. It is always impressive when someone does their research first i.e.- go to my sites, read up, send me an email with some "why" and "who" context. Connect some dots.
This Member Profile Originally Published in October 2015, Updated April 2018