Story & Lesson Highlights with Michelle Merz of Columbus

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Michelle Merz. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Michelle, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
I think one of the biggest misunderstandings about my business is the assumption that marketing has to be slimy or manipulative. A lot of small business owners have been burned by overpriced programs or ‘half solutions’ that overpromise and underdeliver, so they come in expecting me to be the same. The truth is, I care deeply about making sure small businesses and solopreneurs have access to the same strategies that big companies use but in a way that’s sustainable and doesn’t burn them out. My whole approach is about building systems that help them sell consistently, without feeling like they have to be online 24/7 or compromise their integrity.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Michelle, and I run a marketing agency that focuses on helping small businesses and solopreneurs build what I call ‘marketing machines’; simple systems and automations that bring in leads and sales without needing to be chained to a laptop all day.

My story really started as a young mom. For years, I was dropping my kids off at daycare at 6:30 in the morning and picking them up at 6 at night. I was working hard, but missing out on actually being their mom… and they deserved more of me. I thought starting my own business would give me that, but the reality was I was still home yet not truly present.

It wasn’t until I figured out how to use marketing systems and automation to take work off my plate that everything shifted. That’s what makes my brand unique. I don’t just teach marketing, I’ve lived the struggle of trying to balance growth with family, and I know how life-changing it is when your business runs on a system that works in the background. Right now, I’m focused on showing other business owners how to build that kind of freedom for themselves.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a kid, I believed I had to be a people pleaser; that it was safer to keep the peace, not rock the boat, and make sure everyone else was comfortable. But as I grew into my role as a creative and a business owner, I learned that disruption isn’t a bad thing. In fact, it’s often where the best ideas and the biggest growth come from. I’ve also realized that standing my ground and setting boundaries isn’t selfish, it’s essential. It’s what allows me to do my best work and protect the energy I need for the people and projects that matter most.

When did you last change your mind about something important?
I actually change my mind all the time. I don’t really believe in clinging to an opinion just for the sake of it. For me, it’s about learning, listening, and exploring different perspectives. I think part of being human (and especially part of being a good leader) is being willing to educate yourself, hear others out, and admit when you could see something differently. Some of the best decisions I’ve made have come from allowing myself to shift my perspective instead of holding on tight to being ‘right.’

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The marketing industry is full of half-truths. One of the biggest lies is selling people just a piece of the puzzle (a course on Instagram, or a fancy ad tactic) without the bigger strategy that actually makes it work. Then business owners are left wondering why they fell flat on their face.

Another lie is that marketing is simple or linear. It’s not. The way people buy today is messy and multi-touch, and pretending otherwise sets small businesses up for disappointment.

And don’t get me started on hustle culture. The idea that you just have to ‘show up consistently’ and work longer hours to grow is nonsense. I don’t believe more hours equals more results. I believe in building smart systems and automations that streamline growth and let you step away without everything falling apart. That’s not only how I run my own business, it’s what I teach my clients too.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
What I understand deeply is that there’s always more than one way to do something. If you’ve got five hours to work on marketing and someone else has fifteen, your strategy will look different… and that’s okay. If you’ve got $1,000 to spend on ads and they’ve got $250, your approach has to shift. The point is, different resources don’t mean you can’t succeed, it just means you have to design differently. I carry that into life too. Everyone has their own circumstances, but there’s always a way to work with what you’ve got and still grow into the best version of yourself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.silienceandsonder.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silience_and_sonder/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-merz-151b5a157/

Image Credits
Hailey Brown