Mimy Kincaid’s path to the Florida began in Okinawa, Japan, where she was born while her father served in the Air Force.

• After moving to Florida as a teenager, this area became home and over the years, the people and community around her only deepened that connection.

Mimy serves as Marketing, Sales and Business Development Director at The Jay Odom Group, helping guide strategy across a wide portfolio of developments and brands. Her days can move quickly from campaign analytics and copywriting to walking job sites, leading meetings, and helping shape how projects grow and connect with the community.

Are you a life-long local, if not, where are you from originally and how did you end up in the area?

I was born in Okinawa, Japan. My dad was in the Air Force, so I was able to live in Japan until I was around 16 before we moved to Florida when he retired. This area has truly become home, and the community here has only deepened that over the years.

What’s your current job title and where do you work?

Marketing, Sales and Business Development Director at The Jay Odom Group

What’s your morning routine?

I like to start my mornings intentionally before everything picks up. A good breakfast, a quick skincare routine, feed my two cats, and fit in a workout or stretching when I can. That quiet time before the day takes over is important to me.

Describe what a typical workday looks like for you.

There really isn’t a typical day, which is what I love about this role.

My day can go from reviewing campaign performance, to writing copy, to walking a development, to sitting in a strategy or business development meeting, sometimes all before noon.

I oversee marketing, branding, social media, sales strategy, and marketing support for events across The Jay Odom Group’s full portfolio including Zatitude Luxury Apartments, Freedom Tech Center, Holiday Inn Express, Home2 Suites, Hammock Bay, Raider Village, NatureView, Pigeon Forge RV Resort, Bay Vita, and several other current and future developments. Each brand has its own identity, audience, and goals, and no two days look the same because of it.

A big part of what I do is leading how we position and evolve each project over time, from brand strategy and messaging down to making sure it actually performs. I’m constantly reviewing PPC, SEO, and digital campaigns, but what matters most to me is how it all translates into real results, whether that’s hotel bookings, apartment leases, or overall growth across our developments.

What I find most rewarding is when everything connects. The brand, the experience, and the performance all working together and you can see it translate into real growth. In this industry that work never really stops, and honestly I wouldn’t want it to.

What’s the first thing you do when you get to work (or start your workday)?

I start each day by checking Teams, reviewing emails, and connecting with my team. From there I reset priorities based on what’s moved overnight and make sure I’m focused on what actually matters that day rather than just reacting to whatever comes in first.

What tools, apps, or gadgets can’t you live without?

It’s a bit of a mix depending on what I’m working on, but I rely heavily on Microsoft tools for day-to-day communication and organization, along with Canva and other creative apps. I also use a variety of tools to review performance and analytics.

AI has become a big part of my workflow as well, probably around five tools regularly, to help with efficiency, ideas, and refining content. And honestly, my phone is one of the biggest tools I use, whether it’s capturing content, staying connected with the team, or making sure we have the right equipment in place for content creation.

My team belongs on this list too. They are genuinely the best group of dedicated and talented women I could ask for.

Apple or Android?

Apple. I was a longtime Samsung user but recently made the switch and I’ll be staying with Apple.

What’s your go-to coffee (or tea) order?

Matcha latte with coconut milk or herbal teas.

What’s your go-to lunch spot or work snack?

It depends where I am, but I love trying local restaurants! I do crave acai bowls or fruit at work for a snack.

What’s one local business you love supporting?

A few come to mind, honestly. I care a lot about animal rescues and the work they do, and Alaqua, the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge, is one I really admire for what they do for our local wildlife and ecosystem.

The Emerald Coast Science Center is another one I love, it’s such a great resource for kids and adults alike, and the kind of place that makes you think differently.

And I’m a supporter of United Way Emerald Coast’s Women United, which is focused on mental health resources and empowerment for women and girls right here in Okaloosa and Walton counties. Their Brunch and Bubbly event is one of my favorites of the year. The work they do for younger women especially is something I feel strongly about.

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?

It really is about who you know. Not in a transactional way, but in the sense that the right relationships open doors that talent alone never will. Surrounding yourself with people who are genuinely great at what they do raises your own game in ways you don’t always see coming.

If you could give your 20-year-old self a piece of advice, what would it be?

Trust your instincts and don’t dim your light. You already have a natural ability to understand people and what they need. Lean into that and don’t second-guess it.

How do you unwind after a long day?

If I can, I’ll do a workout or some yoga to reset, then dive into a YouTube series on something that interests me. I enjoy learning and letting my mind shift away from work for a bit.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

I’m half Japanese and speak Japanese pretty well.

What’s your favorite local event or tradition?

It’s hard to pick just one. I love the Greek Festival, and any cultural or military appreciation event always draws me in.

The FWB Chamber’s Dog Daze is one of my favorites too.

And of course any event at our own Jay Odom Group properties. We host some of the best community gatherings around, including the Farmers Market and Trivia Nights at Freedom Tech Center, which always bring such a great energy.

What’s inspiring you right now (book, podcast, person, hobby)?

Right now I’m really inspired by understanding people and what actually drives them. I listen to podcasts like The Diary of a CEO and Modern Wisdom regularly, and I’m always seeking out different types of content to see what works, what connects, and what doesn’t. A lot of that curiosity feeds directly into how I think about marketing and brand strategy.

Outside of work I’m drawn to topics that stretch how I think, psychology, different cultures, even space and quantum concepts. I don’t fully understand all of it but I enjoy sitting with ideas that are bigger than my day to day. It keeps me curious and I think that curiosity is one of the best things you can bring into a creative field.

Early bird or night owl?

Mix. But I tend to have a lot more ideas at night.

Most used emoji?

💕 😻

Music while working — yes or no? (and if yes, what’s on your playlist?)

I love music, but I enjoy a quieter work environment.

Favorite motivational quote?

We only experience life through our own eyes, but our thoughts and actions have the power to ripple far beyond what we can see.

Standing desk or sitting? Mix?

Mix! I just got a walking pad to use while standing.

If you could give any advice for someone getting into the same field as you, what advice would you give?

Learn both the creative side and the performance side. Anyone can make something look good, but understanding what actually drives results is what separates good marketers from great ones. If you can do both, you’ll stand out quickly.

Be intentional about brand. If you’re not shaping the narrative, the public will do it for you.

And on the sales and business development side, don’t wait for opportunities to come to you. Build relationships before you need them, understand what the other person actually needs, and always know how what you’re offering connects to their goals. The best deals and partnerships come from trust, not transactions.

And zoom out often. The people who create the most value aren’t just executing their piece, they understand how marketing connects to sales, operations, and the bigger business goals. That’s where the real impact is, and honestly that’s where the most interesting work lives too.

Are you a member of the FWB Chamber of Commerce?

Yes, I’ve been a member of the FWB Chamber of Commerce for over 12 years. It’s been a great way to stay connected to the community, build meaningful relationships, and stay involved in local growth.

The Chamber does an incredible job supporting businesses, strengthening the community, and creating opportunities that positively impact all of us who enjoy living on the Emerald Coast. Being part of it has opened a lot of doors, both in terms of awareness and meaningful connections. It’s created opportunities to meet people, build relationships, and connect with others who are also invested in the growth of this area. I

t has also given us a better understanding of the community as a whole and where we can make the greatest impact. That’s something we really value at The Jay Odom Group, where we’re focused not just on development, but on contributing to something bigger and creating places that truly serve the community.

Anything we missed that you want to add?

Just that I genuinely love this community and feel lucky to do work that contributes to it. Northwest Florida has given me a lot and I don’t take that lightly. Everything we build at The Jay Odom Group is an extension of that. We want people to feel proud of where they live and excited about what’s coming.