Meet Derik Landkammer Ely - Creative Director & Founder
Design isn't just my profession—it's in my DNA. With over 30 years of combined experience in marketing, hospitality, and design, I bring a unique perspective to every social media project at Landkammer Ely Design.
​
My Journey
As Marketing Director for Nordic Waffles for the past 6 years, I've mastered the art of creating compelling brand stories that drive real results. Before that, I spent 25 years in the hospitality industry, working with hotels where I learned the importance of creating memorable experiences and understanding what makes customers choose one brand over another.
My formal education in Home Interior Design, combined with my hands-on experience running Land of Wishes Design Co—my seasonal home and front door decor company—has sharpened my eye for visual storytelling and brand consistency. This diverse background gives me invaluable insights into what makes content not just beautiful, but effective.
​
Why This Matters for Your Brand
My hospitality background taught me that first impressions are everything—whether it's a hotel lobby or your Instagram feed. My marketing experience with Nordic Waffles showed me how to turn creative content into measurable business growth. And my design education and personal brand give me the aesthetic eye to make your content stand out in crowded social feeds.
​
Life in Minnesota
When I'm not creating scroll-stopping social media content, you'll find me in Chaska, Minnesota, with my husband Jeremy and our son Daevyn. Our home is always buzzing with DIY projects, seasonal decorating, and quality time with our two dogs, Sadie and Sophie. We love hosting friends and family—which keeps me constantly thinking about how spaces (and brands) can create meaningful connections.
​
My Design Philosophy
Great social media design isn't just about pretty pictures—it's about creating authentic connections that turn followers into loyal customers. Every post, story, and campaign I create is designed with your business goals in mind, backed by decades of real-world marketing experience and a genuine passion for beautiful, effective design.
​
Ready to work together? Let's create social media content that not only looks amazing but drives the results your business deserves.
DERIK LANDKAMMER ELY RESUME
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Results-driven Digital Marketing Director with 10+ years of proven success driving brand visibility, engagement, and revenue growth across retail and B2B sectors. Expertise in multi-platform social media management, content strategy, and campaign optimization that delivers measurable ROI. Track record of securing major retail partnerships and scaling startup businesses through data-driven marketing initiatives.
​
Core Competencies: Social Media Management | Digital Marketing Strategy | Content Creation | SEO Optimization | Campaign Management | Brand Development | Influencer Marketing | Analytics & Reporting
​
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Social Media Platforms: Meta Business Suite, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok for Business, Pinterest Business
Content Creation Tools: Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva Pro, Midjourney, Sora, Runway AI, Kling AI, ChatGPT, Claude AI
​
Analytics: Google Analytics 4, Meta Ads Manager, Facebook Insights, Google Search Console
E-commerce Platforms: Shopify, Squarespace, Wix, Etsy, WooCommerce
CRM & Management: Rainmaker CRM, Opera PMS, SEO & Digital Tools: SEMrush, Ahrefs, Google Keyword Planner,
​
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Marketing Director | Nordic Waffles Inc, Hopkins, MN April 2020 – July 2025
• Expanded national retail presence by 400%, securing distribution in 10 states and increasing brand recognition across target demographics
• Generated 164.6K social media views and 129.3K reach with 810+ content interactions, achieving 23% engagement rate above industry average
• Secured strategic partnerships with Target, Costco, and Sheetz through compelling pitch decks and brand positioning materials
• Increased online sales by 85% through integrated digital campaigns across Meta, TikTok, and Pinterest platforms
• Led complete brand redesign initiative, repositioning Nordic Waffles as premium frozen breakfast brand resulting in 40% price point increase
• Produced high-converting video content using AI tools (Midjourney, Sora, Runway) that increased ad engagement by 60%
• Optimized SEO strategy resulting in 150% increase in organic website traffic and improved search rankings for key product terms
• Managed influencer partnerships with 25+ content creators, generating over 2M impressions and $50K in attributed revenue
​
Co-Owner & Digital Marketing Manager | Land of Wishes Design Co, Chaska, MN April 2024 – Present
• Launched seasonal home décor business from concept to profitability within 6 months of startup
• Built social media presence to 19.7K views and 740+ engaged interactions across Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok
• Achieved 3.6K targeted reach with conversion rate 35% higher than industry benchmark for small retail businesses
• Created and optimized Etsy storefront with professional product photography and SEO-optimized listings
• Developed comprehensive content calendar resulting in consistent 15% month-over-month follower growth
• Implemented cross-platform marketing strategy that generated $25K revenue in first seasonal cycle
​
Revenue Assistant & Group Rooms Coordinator | Mystic Lake Casino and Hotel, Prior Lake, MN December 2007 – March 2020
• Coordinated logistics for 500+ events annually, managing room blocks from 10 to 1,000+ guests with 98% client satisfaction rate
• Increased group booking revenue by 25% through strategic collaboration with sales team on promotional calendars
• Maintained pricing accuracy across multiple booking platforms, reducing discrepancies by 90%
• Updated digital presence across all third-party platforms, ensuring consistent brand representation and accurate inventory
​
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Business Development Program | The Makers University, New Orleans, LA | 2024 – Present
Comprehensive business education for creative entrepreneurs and handmade business owners
​
Interior Design Program | Art Institute of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN | 2017 – 2018
Focus on visual design principles, space planning, and client relations.
​
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
• 164.6K+ social media views generated across client accounts in past 12 months
• 10-state retail expansion for Nordic Waffles through strategic marketing initiatives
• $75K+ attributed revenue from social media campaigns and influencer partnerships
• 85% increase in online sales through integrated digital marketing strategies
• 25+ successful influencer collaborations generating 2M+ total impressions
• 98% client satisfaction rate in hospitality and event coordination roles