Meet our Founder + Read our Case Studies
how we get results
Serial Entrepreneur,
Marketing Strategist,
Podcast Host, MBA Grad,
(& Your Business’s New Best Friend.)
Nicole Schmied, Founder of SmartCookie Media has been taking businesses from start-to-smart for more than a decade. How, you ask? Keep reading.
CASE STUDIES:
BOUDOIR, POLITICS, & SOBRIETY
Nicole’s Messaging Methods give her the confidence to tackle some of the toughest and often taboo topics.
〉The Challenge
Houston-based photographer, Angi Lewis needed a plan to drive traffic to her website, grow her clientele, and increase her revenue.
〉The SmartCookie Solution
Using her scroll-stopping brand tactics and Angi’s existing ads budget, Nicole created a 10-month plan for Facebook(™) Ad management.
To further support Angi and go-getters like her, Nicole developed a digital course, Website in a Weekend. Angi participated in the course and through it she learned (and designed) her new mobile-friendly website. Work continues for Angi with a SEO project designed to put Angi Lewis Studios on the top of Google search results for all Texas-based branding photographers.
〉〉 The Result: $106K
SmartCookie Media not only created a plan specifically for Angi’s needs but also supported her through coaching. After just 10 months of SmartCookie Media work + support, Angi Lewis added $106K to her revenue. After 18 months, Angi reports 170% growth in sales!
〉The Challenge
San Francisco area photographer Mike Lloyd needed to find a way to connect with + empower his all-female clientele for his boudoir studio.
〉The Challenge
San Francisco area photographer Mike Lloyd needed to find a way to connect with + empower his all-female clientele for his boudoir studio.
〉The SmartCookie Solution: Message Map + Social Media
Nicole’s messaging methods tackled this often taboo genre by subscribing to the very idea that women can be empowered and emotionally transformed through their own embodiment and image. The SmartCookie team tackled a year-long email nurturing sequence and continues to engage Mike’s audience with ongoing social media posts. Nicole also created a Message Map and website mockups to help Mike and his team echo what his clients love. Using Mike’s artistic, powerful and scroll-stopping photography of clients accompanied by SmartCookie confidence-building verbiage — the perfect combination to engage his audience.
〉The SmartCookie Solution:
Message Map + Social Media
Nicole’s Messaging Methods tackled this often taboo genre by subscribing to the very idea that women can be empowered and emotionally transformed through their own embodiment and image. The SmartCookie team tackled a year-long email nurturing sequence and continues to engage Mike’s audience with ongoing social media posts. Nicole also created a Message Map and website mockups to help Mike and his team echo what his clients love. Using Mike’s artistic, powerful and photography accompanied by SmartCookie confidence-building verbiage — it’s been the perfect combination to engage his audience.
〉〉The Result:
Clarity & Growth
Within one year, Mike is growing his single boudoir studio to multiple full service studios where he and new staff will offer family sessions, women’s portraiture and executive headshots for actors and actresses.
〉The Challenge: From Candidate to Congressman
In 2019 Northwest Indiana’s North Township Trustee Frank Mrvan sought to win the endorsement for US State Representative. District 1 is an area with three counties, diverse populations and priorities. In order for Mrvan to win the endorsement, he would need the trust of those district residents by ensuring that all could be served under his leadership.
〉The Challenge: Candidate to Congressman
In 2019 Northwest Indiana’s North Township Trustee Frank Mrvan sought to win the endorsement for US State Representative. District 1 is an area with three counties, diverse populations and priorities. In order for Mrvan to win the endorsement, he would need the trust of those district residents by ensuring that all could be served under his leadership.
〉The SmartCookie Solution
Nicole and the SmartCookie Team focused on Mrvan’s born-and-raised in Northwest Indiana story and devised the campaign message around “Families First.” which resonated with district residents. The plan also included placing Mrvan in front of families and voters – in their neighborhoods and homes, at their schools, restaurants, and in their social media. The goal was to drive home the idea that he was sensitive to all their needs and would strive to work for their best interests: ‘For jobs, for healthcare, for us,’ if elected.
〉The SmartCookie Solution: Message Map & Targeting
Nicole and the SmartCookie Team focused on Mrvan’s born-and-raised in Northwest Indiana story and devised the campaign message around “Families First,” which resonated with district residents. The plan also included placing Mrvan in front of families and voters – in their neighborhoods and homes, at their schools, restaurants, and in their social media. The goal was to drive home the idea that he was sensitive to all their needs and would strive to work for their best interests: ‘For jobs, for healthcare, for us,’ if elected.
〉〉The Results
The plan was successful! The Township Trustee and US Congressional candidate, Frank Mrvan first won the coveted endorsements of his 34-year predecessor Congressman Pete Visclosky, and the Region’s largest labor union United Steelworkers, AFL-CIO, and American Federation of Teachers Indiana (AFT). He took office in 2021.
〉The Challenge: Ethics & Privacy
Recovery Matters, a drug and alcohol treatment program by Regional Health Care needed to market their services. As the opioid crisis continued to spread, Recovery Matters realized the majority of neighboring facilities throughout the state were inundated with clients, while their own services were under capacity.
〉The SmartCookie Solution: Research + Messaging
SmartCookie Media Team determined the best way to reach families in need was to focus on life after Recovery Matters and experiences after addiction. They began researching the center’s program success by interviewing referral sources. These included attorneys, probation officers, work release programs, and healthcare professionals. The goal was to include real life stories of those who had successfully been through the program process at Recovery Matters. The problem was finding someone to speak openly on the issue. But alas, a former client came forward to offer their testimonial. Not just any former client, but a staff member who had heard about the search for a voice from someone who had survived addiction and recovered through Recovery Matters. The team developed a campaign message of HOPE through web, print, and billboards in the area.
〉〉The Results: Award & Public Attention
It worked! The campaign was a success and the staff member’s story received public attention. The nonprofit was even recognized with a marketing award by the United Way! Due to the nature and privacy of the work, we can only guess at the number of families who were impacted.
raisin’ the bar on branding
Nicole Ruiz Schmied is the CEO and Founder of SmartCookie Media. With an MBA from Indiana University, and a loaded resume, she worked in the throes of corporate America in the Windy City.
This Director of Marketing knew she was capable of much more with her creative business and tech skills. In fact, her forté was servicing businesses on a more personal level. Helping business owners navigate through the often painful, ever-changing world of online marketing, was exactly where she needed (and wanted) to be. She was smart. She was tech savvy. She was determined. She was a SmartCookie! How could she support other SmartCookies?
RECENT PODCASTS & VIDEOS
But Wait, There’s More.
This year, Nicole (Ruiz) Schmied created the popular podcast, THE SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR SHOW. The podcast offers helpful tips from some of the most respected entrepreneurs and leaders across the country.
