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Hey, I'm Emily, and I don't just create stand out brands - I create change.

Buckle up, buttercup. 🔥

Published 2 months ago • 5 min read
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Hey Bootstrapper,

Each week (yes, we're going weekly!), I deliver a fresh, feminist-inspired, creative marketing email to your inbox...let's dive in!

In my last email, I shared that I'm doing a bit of a brand refresh for Bootstrapped Woman. But you know what I realized this week?!

I needed to give myself permission not to get everything done in an unrealistic amount of time.

Can you believe that I actually thought I could do a complete website update, with a copy glow-up, SEO research, brand shoot, update all my funnels, reconfigure my blog, content, and lead generation strategies, AND start emailing you all once a week (instead of monthly)?!

I had to remind myself that I'm one person, and even with a little help from my friends (a website copywriter and photographer), I was not going to be able to get this done in a couple of weeks like I initially thought.

I truly love working ON and in my business, but the overwhelm of trying to do all these things at once started to sneak up on me. I've been here before and know that what comes next is burnout.

Because of the society we live in, it's easy to fall into this trap over and over again.

Smashing the patriarchy as a small business owner is about more than just getting money in the hands of women...it's also about redefining what it means to be a successful woman in business.

It's about rejecting the hustle culture that tells us we have to burn ourselves out to be worthy and instead embrace a version of success that prioritizes our well-being, creativity, and joy.

Because let's face it, the old way of doing things isn't working. The patriarchy wants us to believe that our worth is tied to our productivity and that we have to sacrifice everything to achieve our goals.

We're done with the systemic BS that keeps us "too tired" to make a real difference.

We deserve to have businesses that support our lives, not consume them. One where we can be successful on our own terms, without apology.

You don't have to suffer.

You can change the rules.

And that's exactly what I did this week. I moved the goalposts, so I have more time to finish what I'm working on. And I'll do it as often as needed (even if that means growing parts of my business slower than expected).

PSA: Slow growth isn't a bad thing.

It's actually what makes running your business sustainable!

Brand Visibility Tip of the Week

When I started writing this email, I wanted to give you a glimpse into my own reality as a business owner because I think it's important not to just share the highlight reels when it comes to entrepreneurship.

I believe that more women-owned businesses would be successful if we ladies were more open about the ups and downs (so we don't feel like failures when things don't just pop off overnight).

And that's why this week's brand visibility tip is about honesty!

Honesty is a great way to strengthen your brand because it builds trust and loyalty. But it's not a gimmick!

When you are authentic, you attract an audience and build a community that values honesty, and people trust businesses that do this.

Especially right now when scams, parasocial programs, and faking it is at an all-time high.

People actually like the fact that you aren't perfect.

There is something called the Pratfall Effect, which describes how people's likability changes (for the better) when they make a mistake. In other words, when your audience sees that you are human...they like you more!

This is why honest marketing is important.

So, how can you be honest in your marketing? It's simple! Be upfront with information, processes, and who you are as a person and as a brand. If your audience doesn't need or isn't ready for your services, don't sell to them until they are.

It's about attracting the right clients, not just any clients.

When you build your brand on a foundation of honesty and genuine connection, you create something truly magical. Think about it: stronger engagement, word-of-mouth referrals, and a more visible brand built on a foundation of real relationships.

That's the power of keeping it real. It's not just good for your soul; It's damn good for business.

I often get asked by business owners about HOW honest they should be when it comes to their brand's online presence. There's a fine line between sharing and oversharing, and the best part is that you get to decide where that line is.

When you speak your truth, you don't just attract clients; you start building a community of people who are on the same wavelength and are ready to support each other!

When you stand up for what you believe in, you're not just building a brand. You're building a reputation. One that attracts the right clients and repels the ones who aren't a good fit.

So go ahead and speak your truth!

Tools + Resources

There is a lot of overwhelm and uncertainty about how the current political landscape is playing out in America. Countries all over the world are going to inevitably be impacted by many of the proposed changes happening. It's already feeling exhausting.

That's what they're counting on. When you're too tired to fight, they win. But when you don't take time to rest, they also win. This is patriarchy and capitalism 101! That's why I highly recommend making sure that you are following POSITIVE news sources during this time (not just the ones reporting the bad news).

Here are a few glimmers worth sharing:

  • The Skimm brought back ReproductiveRightsDotGov.com when the US government took down the website Reproductive Rights.Gov!
  • The US. Climate Alliance announced they will remain committed to the Paris Agreement after the US declares it will withdraw. Billionaire Michael Bloomberg also offered to fund the UN Climate Body if necessary!
  • A federal judge blocks an executive order that aims to end birthright citizenship. A reminder that presidents cannot do whatever they want! There will be much work to do fighting this nonsense, but I have hope.
  • Bad@ss Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde stood up for immigrants and LGBTQ+ people in a powerful speech. Trump called her nasty...and I think we should all aspire to be nasty women, shouldn't we?!

​Bluesky - I'm not ready to jump the Instagram ship yet, but with everything going on with Meta, I'm trying out this newer social platform. The former head of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, created it to be a decentralized version of Twitter that no single person or entity owns. He stepped down from the board in May 2024, and it's now run and predominantly owned by chief executive Jay Graber, who is a US public benefit corporation. I haven't had much time to explore it, but I hope to soon. Click on the link and follow me!

​Office Hours - Register for the next event! Join me virtually for a FREE hour on February 12th at 12PM EST to get feedback or advice on anything marketing, branding, and website design.

Thank you so much for reading and giving me space in your inbox! I am so grateful for you.

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Missed a previous email? Catch up here!​

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xo Emily Lauren

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Whenever you're ready, here are some ways we can work together:

✍️ Branding – Anything but vanilla branding so you can stand out and call in dream clients!

💋 Website Design – Websites that stop your clients in their tracks and are so good they work while you sleep (you're welcome).

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Hey, I'm Emily, and I don't just create stand out brands - I create change.

Helping women owned businesses smash the patriarchy!

I am a multi-passionate, feminist creative marketer who helps women stand out online without burning out. As an accomplished web designer, brand strategist, and published author, I know a thing or twenty about helping women-owned businesses grow their online presence, wealth, and impact in the world (because women do good stuff with their money) AND confidently take up space online.

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