Glitter Beads & a Marketing Lesson I Didn’t See Coming

Because sometimes the clearest visibility lessons come from a full-on meltdown over… friendship bracelets.

So there I was…

Sitting at the kitchen table, snack crumbs everywhere, and my 7-year-old is stringing beads like she’s Tiffany & Co.

I grab a cute green bead. Hand it over. Nailed it, right?
Wrong. Couldn’t have been more wrong.

Apparently, it had to be purple.
Not just purple...the glittery purple one, you guys. 

And I’m sitting there thinking, Doesn’t she know green represents growth, abundance, and is just the best color out there?

(…Okay Erika, reel it in. We’re working on not micro-managing crafts, remember?)

Cue the crossed arms, the dramatic sigh, and the declaration that, because she wasn’t going to match her friend at the homeschool coop, the entire bracelet...and possibly life itself, is ruined.

And you know what?
As I’m watching this mini soap opera unfold, it hits me… this is exactly how people feel when our marketing misses the mark.

Stay with me:

💙 1. People want to feel seen, not just sold to.
She wasn’t mad about the bead. She was mad because what she imagined didn’t match what I gave her.

Same with your audience. They want to feel like you get them. Like you’re in their head when you write.

💙 2. Clarity > creativity.
I thought, “Eh, green’s close enough.”
Spoiler: it wasn’t.

And neither is vague messaging. Say exactly what you do, who you help, and why it matters—in plain mom-speak.

💙 3. Timing is everything.
Kids don’t usually fall apart when they’re well-rested and full of snacks. They fall apart when it’s late, loud, and everyone’s over it.

Same with your audience. If they’re stressed, overloaded, or halfway out the door, even your best message won’t land.

(And yes, the irony of me trying to lecture anyone about timing when I’ve been known to start a “quick project” at 10:30 pm is not lost on me.)

✨ Bonus lesson: Adjusting isn’t failing.
Sometimes you swap the bead. Sometimes you tweak the caption.

It’s not flaky. It’s flexible! And honestly? Flexibility is one of our biggest superpowers as moms in business.

So here’s your little marketing pep talk:

✅ You don’t need to be louder—you need to be clearer.
✅ You don’t need to be perfect—you need to be personal.
✅ You don’t need to guess—you just need to listen.

And if all else fails? Take a breath. Try again tomorrow. Maybe with a different bead (or a different post).

Want visibility strategies that feel natural—not pushy, sleazy, or overwhelming?

Come connect with us. Attend a workshop. Totally bring your kid if you want to!

Because business gets easier when you don’t do it alone.

Real moms. Real business. Real connection. 💙

About the Author

Erika Radis is a San Antonio-based realtor, entrepreneur, and mom of three. She’s the founder of the Working Moms of San Antonio community—a 7,000+ strong network of women balancing motherhood and career—and co-host of the Working Moms of San Antonio podcast. With a background in design and a love for marketing, Erika helps moms grow confident, connected businesses rooted in authenticity, strategy, and a little bit of humor.