DOWAGIAC — A new face is in Dowagiac, bringing with it a new business.

Recent Louisiana to Dowagiac transplant Laura Odenwald has opened Odenwald Marketing Strategies out of her home on Green Street in Dowagiac. Serving nonprofits and small businesses, Odenwald Marketing Strategies works in web design, marketing and public relations consulting, and social media strategy.

“Marketing can help a business in a number of ways. For example, most people would say that having a website these days is pretty critical,” Odenwald said. “But going further and having a great website and being on social media can attract customers. … It’s all important to a holistic marketing approach.”

Odenwald comes to the business with eight years of experience in public relations and communications. Prior to moving to Dowagiac, Odenwald Marketing Strategies was a side business for Odenwald. However, when she made the move, she said she saw it as a perfect opportunity to take her business full-time.

According to Odenwald’s website, the business is aimed at boosting organizations that make the world a better place by providing passionate, exceptional marketing services to nonprofits and small businesses. Odenwald added that the desire to work with small businesses and nonprofits is personal.

“I once worked on a nonprofit board and it really opened my eyes how much small businesses and nonprofits have to do with so little. A lot of them feel they don’t even have the time or money to work with, ” she said. “They can’t really hire someone to do that full-time, but it’s something that is really important to their success. I’m hoping I can kind of fill that gap and help them out when they need it.”

Though Odenwald, 30, does not yet have any local clients, she said she is hoping to break onto the scene soon, adding that she believes her services would be beneficial to the people of Dowagiac.

“Based on my research, there aren’t really a lot of people here with my expertise, so I’m really excited to fill that niche and help out all the wonderful small businesses and nonprofits that we have,” she said. “I’m hoping they are going to be hungry and looking for the help. I’m happy to do it.”

In order to grow her business and become connected to the community, Odenwald said she has been partaking in community events and most recently became involved with the Economic Development and Opportunity Board.

“I really want to give back and meet people,” Odenwald said.

Though Odenwald said it is too early to know where her business will go, she said she hopes it will grow and continue to allow her to help small businesses and nonprofits.

“For me, the best part of my job is helping the organizations that are really looking for guidance and expertise,” she said. “It just makes me happy to help them.”

For more information, visit odenwaldmarketing.com.