Q & A with Samantha Hartley, Principal Consultant of Enlightened Marketing

Samantha, if visitors were to read only one thing about you, what would you want it to be?

I want my visitors to know that I believe in using the medium of business to improve the lives of my clients, my community and, hopefully, the world. Personally, I do that by helping socially responsible businesses to identify and communicate their unique benefits so they can attract perfect clients, deliver their value and increase profits. Because it's the main realm in which I deliver my gifts, work is very important to me, a spiritual path.

What if they’re looking for a more factual reason to work with you?

I've worked in brand and strategic marketing since 1991, in 15 countries and with budgets ranging from near-zero to over $10 million a year. I spent five years with The Coca-Cola Company: two in the Strategic Marketing department at its Atlanta headquarters (responsible for trade channel marketing in Asia) and three in Moscow, Russia, as head of marketing for the Company-owned bottler. During my tenure in Moscow, the brand, consumer and trade marketing programs I led increased our revenues from $48 to $120 million and drove company market share from 21% to 47% over three years.

Since then I’ve been applying Fortune 100 brand and marketing strategy to small businesses.

You use the term “we” a lot on this web site. Isn’t it just you?

Actually, no. I have strategic alliances with a number of enlightened professionals who help me deliver amazing results to my clients. These are graphic and web designers, artists, tagline and copywriters, sales consultants and spiritual directors who work with my clients through me, and then there are myriad resources I refer my clients to.

I’m adamant that everyone should work from the center of his or her gifts, which means only doing what only you can do. Everything that can be done better by someone else (like designing or event planning), I pass on to experts.

What gets you out of bed in the morning?

I’m searching for the excitement brought to me by new experiences, and the depth brought into my life by relationships. No two days are the same, and I have such flexibility and freedom to explore “I wonder what will happen today.” It’s an ongoing adventure, and my multi-species family (fiancé and two dogs) is always the best part of it.

Every day, I work with more and more perfect clients. They are so energizing! Each is doing something great for the world, living a full life of authentic self-expression through vocation, and I love being a part of their stories. I love the idea that I can help someone deliver his or her gifts to more people. They deserve it, the world deserves it and it's important work.

Any miscellany to add?

Sure. I’m a Sarah Lawrence College grad. I speak fluent Russian and bad French, Spanish and sign language. I'm a graduate of the Faulkner County Leadership Institute. I’m a member of my local Chamber of Commerce, and serve on the Boards of Directors of The Centers for Youth and Families and Arkansas Earth Day. In addition to being a former volunteer with Court Appointed Special Advocates, I'm involved with other charities for the homeless, children and animals.

If you're interested in working with Samantha and her team of experts, contact her now or take the free brand assessment, so you'll know which areas of your business need focus.