If you manage to work your way up to the first Smart level it's something that could pay off hugely in the future. If you ever can I recommend you to try it (that's true that the levels can be a barrier for some users).

I am trying to find some money and buy my first ava tokens! In a way, i can spend some hive/leo earnings to do so but i more of a hodler regarding these 2 :P

I also totally agree on your point of view on both leo and hive. And "we" should really need a strong marketing initiative not from the members as we already doing it but from the leadership of hive for instance

(btw sorry for the late reply)