Did you hear about “Carmageddon?” Several weeks ago, the 405 freeway (noted to be one of the busiest freeways in the nation) that runs through Los Angeles closed for a weekend period of 53 hours for repairs. This created a frenzy here in Los Angeles called “Carmageddon” which forced residents to think creatively about their weekend travel plans. Many people (including yours truly) decided to stay home and avoid any hassles.
I made a firm decision that if I couldn’t get to my destination on foot or by bicycle, I’d just stay home. This got me thinking about how Smart Women create their own “Hermageddon” to relax, recharge, renew and repair their own lives.
In my work with women, a frequent question is, “How important is it for me to finely niche my marketing message?” My answer is always, “Extremely important.” The reason is 3-fold:
A few days each week I exercise with a few Smart Women in a park near my home that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. It’s a beautiful setting that lends itself to taking your mind off the muscle pain and exhaustion from the workout! We are surrounded by magnificent sycamore and oak trees that stand strong and tall. The trees were planted and spaced apart in a very methodical way; however over time, they grew into their own independent and unique natural form with branches and limbs flowing in many different directions. This got me thinking about how Smart Women have the opportunity to stand tall and strong. You are independently unique from every other living thing on the planet. Let me ask you a question:
One question that I hear frequently from the women I support is “How do I find and attract more new clients?” After all, new clients are necessary for your business to survive and thrive. The good news is, “new” clients are closer than you think. What do I mean? Have you ever heard the old phrase, “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush?”
Women are the most creative beings on earth. You have inspiring ideas and daring dreams, however it can sometimes be a challenge to get the dreams out of your head and onto paper so you can design a plan to make it happen. Most likely, your “to-do” list is overflowing and your Big Idea hasn’t found a way to make it to the top of the list.
Recently we had “opening day” for Little League Baseball in our community. There was a Pancake Breakfast to kick-off the season, children singing the National Anthem and of course, a local celebrity to throw out the game ball. We really enjoyed our morning and felt grateful to share in the experience. As I sat in the stands watching my 10 year old son and my 8 year old daughter play their first game of the season, I was reminded how baseball and marketing your business have a lot in common.
My 8 year-old daughter Jenna never met a sport she couldn’t master – until last week. Whether it’s soccer, baseball, basketball or skateboarding, Jenna typically does well right away. Yesterday was a very different story.
A few days ago, our family made a trip to the local bank here in our community so that our children could open their first savings account. The piggy banks were overflowing with money due to various visits from the tooth fairy, as well as rewards for all of their good deeds around the house. What happened when we entered the bank made a big impression on me and got me thinking about how Smart Women entrepreneurs always make a good first impression. 
Today, I received an email from a very smart woman who is just beginning her journey as an entrepreneur. In her email, she shared with me that lately she’s been noticing that a lot of “stuff” is coming up for her. When I read this, I smiled. I knew that my smart, courageous friend is getting out of her “comfort zone.” Smart Women know that when they enter unfamiliar territory in life and business, “stuff” always shows up and can get in the way.
My 10 year-old son is studying health and nutrition at school and he’s very excited about it. He came home yesterday and asked me to sit down with him so he could explain everything he’s learning. He shared the 4 basic food groups that our family should be eating (vegetables, fruit, meat and grains) as well as some suggestions on what I might prepare for dinner so that our family becomes “balanced.” Last night after he went to bed, I was reflecting on our conversation and thinking about how Smart Women need 4 basic marketing solutions in order to realize their entrepreneurial goals.
An Interview with Susan Levin, founder of Speaker Services and International Marketing Consultant 
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