Name: Laura Martin
Company or Organization: Mid-West Family Marketing & Media
What is your job or role there? Project Manager – Marketing & Strategy
Where do you live? St. Joseph, MI
How do you think that Bold Women of Business demonstrate being bold?
Bold women don’t wait for permission; they create their own momentum. They launch ideas even when it feels risky, challenge norms, and lead change with conviction. To me, boldness is equal parts strategy and courage; having the guts to take the leap when others hesitate, and doing it with integrity, authenticity, and heart.
Bold women are often defined by a number of descriptors. What top three would say most exemplify your personality?
Confident
Courageous
Distinctive
Please provide an example of when you feel you were at your very best in taking action on the job or in your role.
The moment that stands out most was when I took ownership of streamlining our entire strategy and campaign workflow at Mid-West Family. Our sales, strategy, and execution teams were all using different systems, which created confusion, missed handoffs, and constant “who’s doing what?” chaos. I built a unified process from the ground up inside Monday.com; connecting boards for Strategy Requests, Campaign Execution, Sales Support, and Reporting. I designed automations that moved projects seamlessly from strategy to production, eliminated redundant communication, and gave leadership full visibility into every stage of a campaign. That project reminded me what I do best: stepping into complexity, making sense of it, and creating systems that help teams thrive.
What’s the funniest thing that ever happened on your road to success?
It might not be “funny” in the traditional sense, but I can laugh about it now. A couple of years ago, after years of steady success in marketing leadership, I found myself unexpectedly unemployed for eight months. One day I was running campaigns and managing teams; the next, applying for and finding a new job WAS my new full-time job! At first, I was crushed. But after a while, I realized I had two choices: sit around waiting for something to happen, or completely reinvent myself. So, I did. I started consulting, learned how to sell my own ideas, built client relationships from scratch, and figured out the business side as I went. It was uncomfortable, humbling, and honestly one of the best things that ever happened to me. I learned that failure isn’t the end – sometimes it’s just the beginning of becoming who you’re meant to be.
Who most inspires your personal drive for success every day?
My biggest inspiration is my son, Trevor. Watching him grow into his own person – an amazingly resilient, smart, kind, empathetic human being, reminds me why I push myself every day; to show him that consistency, hard work, and integrity matter. He’s the reason I strive to be brave in the face of uncertainty and to keep evolving, even when life takes unexpected turns. He reminds me daily that strength isn’t loud; it’s steady.
What is your best advice to women in Southwest Michigan looking to succeed, as you have, in business?
Own your voice. Your perspective is your edge – don’t diminish it. Learn who you are. Confidence grows through action and leaning into your strengths. Build real relationships. Depth matters more than surface connections. Be strategic with risk. Bold doesn’t mean reckless; take calculated leaps, test, pivot, and learn fast. Find your tribe. Surround yourself with people who challenge and support you. Celebrate small wins. Consistency and persistence will take you farther than perfection ever will.
What does your selection to the ranks of the Bold Women of Business from Moody on the Market mean to you?
It’s both humbling and validating. Humbling because I know how many incredible women in Southwest Michigan are out there doing meaningful, impactful work every day. Validating because it proves that bold leadership, thoughtful strategy, and staying true to your values do matter. This recognition motivates me to keep pushing; not just for myself, but for every woman in our region who’s working to be heard, to make a difference, and to break through whatever barriers are in the way.
