The Peapod Pulse: July 2024

Hey, friend—

"YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAVE THE WORLD."

This was the first line of a post Melissa Zehner, a content marketing pro that I deeply admire, put out into the world a few weeks ago.

I read that line and could literally hear my shoulders unclench and take their rightful place on my body (read: a place that's not touching my earlobes).

As long as I've known what it's meant to "save the world" or "make a profound impact," I've wanted to do it.?

I've always had an eye on creating something so earth-shattering and incredible, it would be adopted by millions of people, or repeated as advice at companies.?

Mel Ripp-isms would be put on posters, perfect for a company break room. Right next to the poster that says“move fast and break things,” a la Mark Zuckerberg.?

(Okay, okay. So maybe not that part.)

Melissa’s post wasn’t about “changing” the world, I know—it was about saving it. But her post resonated with me all the same because it was all about having a different definition of “saving.” It was about how she had changed her perspective and was now focused on making an impact in her own neck of the woods, so to speak.

Honestly, that’s why I’m so drawn to helping entrepreneurs determine—and shout from the proverbial rooftops—about their impact. With their unique audiences.

Because here’s the thing: I don't subscribe to the "OMG we need to make sure everyone takes everything you say as gospel" way of thinking about thought leadership.?

Like Melissa (the other Melissa), I'm in the "What are you doing to make an impact/educate/talk about a truth no one else is talking about in your corner of the world? In what ways are you speaking up for what you believe in? How are you determined to make your mark, and leave a place better than you found it?"

Thought leaders don’t have to change OR save everyone’s world. All they have to do is save it or change it for the people in their orbit. Or, the people that are open to being in that orbit.

Because for those people, you are changing the world. Their world. And that's the impact.?

If you’re looking to find a true-to-you way to talk about your impact, I’ve got capacity for another thought leadership and ghostwriting client starting in September. Drop me a line, [email protected] if you’re interested!

Talk soon,

Mel

The first time I met Ashley Quinto Powell, I was SO nervous.

First of all, it was right after the thick of the pandemic. I think my coffee date with Ashley was the first business meeting I had attended where I wasn't in a mask. I had nearly 14 months of Zoom-ing under my belt, meaning I hadn't had to talk to anyone in person. I remember leaving that coffee date thinking, "Oh, man. I have wanted to meet this woman for so long, and I totally blew it."

Second, one of my favorite parts of Ashley is that there is ZERO artifice. She is so unapologetically herself that I was in awe of her, which meant I pretty much nodded and grunted during our hour-long coffee.

Fast forward to two years later. Ashley sends out an email to a group of friends about taking a trip to Morocco. All women, entrepreneurs and entrepreneur-types. Did I want to go?

No thought required. I put the deposit down on that trip so fast I think you could hear the money screeching as it left my checking account. Yes, I wanted to go to Morocco, but I knew that any group Ashley would be assembling would be an amazing group.

Ashley's so much more than the best, "Hey, let's go on an adventure"-er that you could ask for. She's also a kick-ass entrepreneur who saw a gap in the time/brainspace equation market and filled a need with it (hello, myVA Rocks!) and she's also a champion for moms and women in general.?

She also has the BEST style (can we TALK about this woman's necklace collection?), is so much fun, and is the biggest cheerleader you could ask for.

If you're not following Ashley, go do it. Now. I'll wait. ??

Peapod Playlist: Hot Girl Summer Edition

The ladies are having a BIG moment in music this summer, and I am HERE FOR IT.

Because I simply can't be trusted to stay the current year, this playlist is a mixture of songs that are meeting the dance-y/pop-y moment of deliciousness that this summer requires, as well as a few songs by the women who have been making moveable, grooveable music for many a summer prior.

If you need a playlist for summer midday work dance breaks, this is the one.?Enjoy the playlist, friends! https://workwithpeapod.com/playlist/?

Join Me for "Don't Feed The Freelancers" on Thursday, July 18!

"If you have a personal brand, you'll get a bazillion clients and make a million dollars a year and will never have to worry about your pipeline again!"

This is a combination of all of the BS we're told about why it's important for small business owners and freelancers to have a personal brand.?

The question is: is there any truth to any of it?

You're not gonna like my wishy-washy answer: it all depends.

I will say that building and maintaining my personal brand has been a form of professional self-care for me. Because I am so aligned with who I am, what I stand for, and why I do what I do, it's become much easier for me to say an enthusiastic "YES!" to projects and people that I jive with, and a polite "no, thank you" to the stuff for which I'm not a good fit.

I can also tell you that I've gotten plenty of business just by being unapologetically me. So has my co-host, Rochelle Ratkaj Moser. Which is why our next episode of "Don't Feed The Freelancers" is all about personal branding: talking honestly about what our personal brands have—and haven't—done for us.

We'd love to have some audience participation for this one, so if you're free next Thursday, July 18 at 10 am, we’d love to have you. RSVP here.

Hi, I'm Mel.?

I'm the founder and CEO of Peapod Marketing & PR Consulting, and I'm fueled by the notion that everyone has the insights and expertise to be a thought leader in their industry—specifically entrepreneurs and executives who may have shied away from shining a light on themselves for a variety of reasons. Our thought leadership strategy and ghostwriting firm helps business owners and leaders that want to be visible in a way that balances their all-their-own stories and perspectives with their values, comfort level, and goals. To learn more about Peapod or book an intro call, head here.?