Some news is worth pausing for. Custom Digital Solutions, a woman-owned Charleston digital marketing agency, has been named a Stevie® Awards finalist.
For a team that spends its days focused on client rankings, leads, and revenue, it’s a meaningful moment to look up and see that the work is getting noticed. This post shares what the recognition means, the growth story behind it, and what it signals for the businesses and agencies we work with.
What Does It Mean to Be a Stevie Awards Finalist?
The Stevie Awards are a long-running business awards program that recognizes organizations and professionals across many industries. Entries are reviewed by judges, and only a select group of nominees is shortlisted as finalists in each category.
To be clear, finalist status is not the same as winning. It does mean an independent review process looked at our results and placed us among the businesses worth recognizing. For a growing agency in a competitive industry, that is a milestone we’re proud of, and a good reminder that steady, results-driven work pays off.
The Growth Behind the Recognition
Awards are nice, but numbers tell the story of how an agency is really performing. Here is what stands out:
- 49.5% revenue growth in 2025. The agency grew nearly 50 percent in a single year.
- No outside investment. That growth was funded by the business itself, not by venture capital or outside backers.
- 2025 revenue surpassed within 8 months. In the first eight months of 2026, the agency passed its entire 2025 revenue.
Growth like this isn’t an accident, and it isn’t a gimmick. In digital marketing, an agency grows when its clients grow. Rankings improve, leads come in, campaigns pay for themselves, and clients stay and expand their work with you. Strong client results are what keep that cycle going.
How We Earn Results for Clients
We keep our approach simple: tie every tactic to a business goal, measure what matters, and adjust based on data.
SEO and Local Search
Search engine optimization remains the foundation for most of our clients. Our SEO services cover technical audits, on-page optimization, content, and authority building. For businesses that depend on nearby customers, local SEO helps them show up in the map pack and in “near me” searches, where buyers are often ready to act.
Paid Media
Paid campaigns give businesses faster visibility and a measurable return. Our paid media services span search, social, and video, with budgets managed against cost per lead and revenue, not vanity metrics. For clients who want deeper Google coverage, we also manage Google and Performance Max campaigns.
Proof in the Results
Our case studies show what this looks like in practice. A B2B software client saw a 216% increase in organic traffic and 183% growth in demo requests after a strategic SEO overhaul. An auto service provider grew website traffic by 40% by shifting to a service-focused strategy. Results will always vary by industry and market, but the method stays the same: clear goals, careful execution, and honest reporting.
Supporting Other Agencies as a Fulfillment Partner
Not every client we serve is a local business. Many are other agencies that need a reliable team behind them. More than 50 agencies across North America rely on us as a white label partner, and we hold Google Partner, Meta Partner, SEMrush Partner, and YEXT Partner status. If you run an agency and want to understand how that model works, our guides on white label SEO and white label PPC explain the process, the benefits, and what to look for in a partner.
Woman-Owned and Rooted in Charleston
Under the leadership of founder and CEO Audrey Bakhach, the agency has grown from a local Charleston business into a partner for clients and agencies well beyond the Lowcountry. Being a woman-owned company matters to us, and we’re glad to see more recognition for women who build and lead businesses in digital marketing.
Charleston is home, and the local business community has been central to our story. Whether we’re helping a neighborhood service company win more local calls or supporting a national brand, we bring the same attention to detail.
What This Means for Our Clients
Nothing about how we work changes because of an award, and that is the point. The things that got us here are the things we’ll keep doing:
- Start with goals. Every campaign begins with a clear target, such as more leads, more sales, or more qualified traffic.
- Measure what matters. We report on outcomes that connect to revenue, not just rankings and clicks.
- Stay current. Search and advertising change quickly, from AI-powered results to new ad formats, and we keep our strategies up to date.
- Communicate clearly. You should always know what we’re doing, why we’re doing it, and how it’s performing.
What Happens Next
Finalist status is a step in the process, not the end. The program’s organizers announce winners on their own schedule, and we’ll share updates as they’re available. In the meantime, we’re staying focused on what we do best, which is helping businesses and agencies grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Stevie Awards finalist?
A finalist is a nominee that has been shortlisted by the judges in its category. It is a recognition of strong performance, though it is not the same as winning.
Is Custom Digital Solutions a woman-owned business?
Yes. The agency is woman-owned and led by founder and CEO Audrey Bakhach.
Where is the agency based?
The agency is based in Charleston, South Carolina, and works with clients and agency partners across North America.
What services does the agency offer?
The agency offers SEO and local search, paid media, website development, and white label services for other agencies. You can explore the full list on our site.
Thank You
To our clients, agency partners, and team: thank you. This recognition belongs to everyone who trusted us with their goals and helped us grow the right way. If you’d like to see what a results-focused digital marketing partner can do for your business, we’d love to hear from you. You can get in touch with our team to start the conversation.