In this episode of the Rocket Lawyer Small Business Spotlight, Ramon Ray interviews Lesley Nickus, founder of Scary Plants Media, a content consulting and digital marketing agency. With a strong background in journalism and enterprise marketing, Lesley brings a unique, story-first approach to helping small business owners grow with purpose and clarity.
Who Is Lesley Nickus?
Lesley is a former journalist who spent over a decade working in newsrooms before transitioning into digital marketing. Today, she helps entrepreneurs craft compelling brand narratives, simplify their marketing strategies, and build lasting connections with their audiences—all without burning out or feeling overwhelmed.
What Is Scary Plants Media?
Scary Plants Media supports small businesses with content strategy and digital marketing. Rather than pushing clients to be on every platform, Lesley focuses on helping them clarify their message and choose the right channels to reach the right audience. Her approach centers around authenticity and intentional growth.
Key Takeaways from the Interview
1. You Don’t Have to Do Everything at Once
Lesley challenges the common belief that business owners must be everywhere online. She helps clients create clear, manageable marketing roadmaps focused on impact over volume.
“You can do it all—just not all at once.”
2. Storytelling Is the Foundation of Good Marketing
Drawing from her journalism experience, Lesley helps businesses uncover and communicate the purpose behind what they do. Every strategy starts with a clear story that connects with the intended audience. By utilizing compelling narratives, she empowers businesses to differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace. In a world where authenticity is key, it’s essential to own your personal narrative and convey it genuinely to your clients. This approach not only builds trust but also fosters lasting relationships that drive success.
3. You’re Already a Writer
Many business owners say they’re “not writers,” but Lesley pushes back on that limiting belief. From emails to social posts, people are writing all the time. Effective content starts with everyday communication.
Case Study: Simplifying a Coaching Client’s Strategy
Lesley shared a client story involving a new personal coach overwhelmed by content demands. By mapping out everything the client thought she needed and then narrowing it down, Lesley helped her focus on what truly mattered. The result was a clearer, more manageable marketing plan and the confidence to move forward.
Why Lesley Uses Rocket Lawyer
Legal protection became essential when Lesley began producing her documentary, Kind Conversations (about cannabis). She needed appearance releases, location agreements, and vendor contracts—dozens of them.
Instead of hiring an attorney for each document, she subscribed to Rocket Legal Plus, which gave her access to customizable templates and legal support at a fraction of the cost.
“Rocket Lawyer gave me legal peace of mind—at a price I could actually afford as a small business.”
She now uses it regularly to review partnership agreements and get legal advice on new ventures, appreciating how seamless and cost-effective it is.
Advice for Entrepreneurs
- Get legal protection early. If your idea is worth building, it’s worth protecting from day one.
- Outsource when appropriate. Lesley compares Rocket Lawyer’s support to her own business model—providing expertise so business owners can focus on what they do best.
- Avoid comparison overload. Take inspiration from successful figures, but don’t try to mirror them all at once. Build at your own pace.
Final Thoughts
Lesley’s message is clear: clarity, focus, and protection are key ingredients for success. Business owners don’t need to do everything immediately. What they need is a grounded message, a clear plan, and the right support system—whether it’s a trusted legal service or a marketing partner like Scary Plants Media. In addition, business owners should prioritize understanding business loan secrets, which can provide crucial insights into funding options and financial strategies. By leveraging this knowledge, they can make informed decisions that align with their long-term goals. Ultimately, combining clarity with financial acumen will pave the way for sustainable growth and resilience in a competitive marketplace.
