Unapologetic

Hosted by Tara Leson

Business Entrepreneurship

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Episodes

122

Latest episode

Nov 2026

Language

EN-CA

About the show

Welcome to Unapologetic. Expect unfiltered, real talk about business and life, and making an impact in both.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

November 9, 2026Episode 12426 min

What I've learned... from my biggest Black Friday "fail" to what worked best

I've done many Black Fridays in both of my businesses and not all have went the way I hoped they would. Today, I'm sharing what I've learned over the past 6 years of BFs, including what really didn't work (not only sales wise, but burnt me the F out) and what I've found works best and I've had really good success with. I will always and forever caveat with - what you do for your business depends on your business and this isn't a follow my blueprint or what didn't work for me won't work for anyone else. BUT I also think this a great episode that will get you thinking about how the things that have and haven't worked would apply (or not) to your business, and give you some ideas to consider and also simplify what you do this year! I'd love to hear your thoughts and if you're brave enough to share - YOUR biggest "fails" or what worked best and how that impacts what you do now! Top takeaways from this episode... ✨What I learned from my biggest "fail" and why I actually don't consider it a "fail" at all ✨An additional two things that didn't work and the impact that has had on what I do today ✨The simple ways I've approached Black Friday that have worked really well ✨Things to consider if you're doing Black Friday to make it work for you and your business Grab a free systems and strategy session and we can brainstorm together some ideas for your Black Friday or how to approach November and this busy season if you aren't participating in it! Interested in working together and want to check out my Black Friday deals?? Grab your spot on my Black Friday early access here! Send us Fan Mail Connect with me here: IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamtaraleson/ Website: https://www.taraleson.com Check out The Safer List here! It's updated every Tues and Fri with new business owners! The Safer List is a resource for business owners who are looking to make sure they are spending with and supporting businesses who value ALL human rights and are looking to make a POSITIVE difference in the world at a time when we need it most.

November 2, 2026Episode 12313 min

Black Friday - The capitalism of it all...

I've heard from a number of people that they don't want to participate in Black Friday as a small business owner because they feel like they're just contributing to capitalism... So I recorded this episode all about my thoughts on that exact thing. I'll be diving into more tangible tips around Black Friday coming up but I wanted to address this one first this year, especially given the state the world. There are a ton of other considerations before you decide to go full in and have deals available, or whatever you choose, for Black Friday but I think if you're not doing it because of capitalism, you're worried that you're contributing or perpetuating it, maybe this will give you a different perspective. I'd love to hear your thoughts after you listen! Top takeaways from this episode... ✨ What's really contributing to capitalism... it's not small business owners ✨ Problematic capitalism vs living within a capitalistic society and system ✨ What Black Friday can offer for small business owners and people who are going to do good things with their money Grab a free systems and strategy session and we can find your next best steps to building and growing your business in a way that's consistent and sustainable long term! Send us Fan Mail Connect with me here: IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamtaraleson/ Website: https://www.taraleson.com Check out The Safer List here! It's updated every Tues and Fri with new business owners! The Safer List is a resource for business owners who are looking to make sure they are spending with and supporting businesses who value ALL human rights and are looking to make a POSITIVE difference in the world at a time when we need it most.

October 26, 2026Episode 12224 min

3 simple ways to find, track, and follow-up with leads in your business today

I think we all know - leads have to come before sales. And instead of guessing who they are, where they're actually coming from, when or how to follow up, and what the "best" lead tracker is to keep it all organized and making sense... I'm breaking it down to make it really simple in this episode. These are things that you can easily start doing today with no crazy set up, extra platforms, or anything you don't already have and use. If you want a sustainable business that brings in consistent clients and income, leads and connections is where it starts. Top takeaways from this episode... ✨ Why track at all? Not the obvious answer, but why knowing who your leads are, where they're coming from, and having a simple way to follow-up really matters ✨ The simplest way to track your leads that actually works for you and your brain ✨ 2 ways to find out where your leads are coming from that you can start today ✨ And an extra bit about what you never have to do in business for it to be sustainable, consistent, and successful I'd love to hear your thoughts after you give the episode a listen! The 2027 Sustainable Business Planning Workshop is happening tomorrow! (From when this episode is going up 😉) My favourite workshop of the whole entire year is back over 2 days this time, October 27 + 28! Sign up to join me for free and let's plan out your 2027 to hit your goals in a way that's sustainable, doesn't sacrifice your values, and allows you to live your life at the same time! Grab a free systems and strategy session and we can find your next best steps to building and growing your business in a way that's consistent and sustainable long term! Send us Fan Mail Connect with me here: IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamtaraleson/ Website: https://www.taraleson.com Check out The Safer List here! It's updated every Tues and Fri with new business owners! The Safer List is a resource for business owners who are looking to make sure they are spending with and supporting businesses who value ALL human rights and are looking to make a POSITIVE difference in the world at a time when we need it most.

October 19, 2026Episode 12126 min

Answering 5 of my top client questions to create consistency and sustainability in your business for 2027

Today, I'm answering 5 of the top questions that I get from clients especially at this time of year. The overall theme is creating consistency and sustainability in your business. One of the things that comes to mind for me when I think about consistency and sustainability - it's not about chasing the unicorn outcomes. Not building for the one time massive launch and then going back to - 'what's next?!'. And the funny thing is when I say that, people misconstrue it to mean 'you won't have great results' but it's actually the opposite. When you can build for consistent, sustainable results that are REPEATABLE because you know what actually works - that's when you can refine and make them even better. "That one time when this launch popped off randomly" isn't reliable. Knowing what's bringing in consistent leads, sales, and income, IS. Top takeaways from this episode... ✨ What to consider when deciding which offer to focus on and why it's NOT math that will actually help you achieve your goals ✨ What to look at and think about before deciding an offer 'doesn't work' ✨ How I break down and help clients identify what to focus on and prioritize based on their overall goals, especially when there's a million things you 'could' do ✨ How to break free from the income rollercoaster and stop starting from scratch every month ✨ Creating a system that works for you so you aren't keeping everything in your head I'd love to hear your thoughts after you give the episode a listen! The 2027 Sustainable Business Planning Workshop is here! My favourite workshop of the whole entire year is back over 2 days this time, October 27 + 28! Sign up to join me for free and let's plan out your 2027 to hit your goals in a way that's sustainable, doesn't sacrifice your values, and allows you to live your life at the same time! Grab a free systems and strategy session and we can find your next best steps to building and growing your business in a way that's consistent and sustainable long term! Related episodes: EP 119: BTS of my quarterly review process and results of my Q3... Send us Fan Mail Connect with me here: IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamtaraleson/ Website: https://www.taraleson.com Check out The Safer List here! It's updated every Tues and Fri with new business owners! The Safer List is a resource for business owners who are looking to make sure they are spending with and supporting businesses who value ALL human rights and are looking to make a POSITIVE difference in the world at a time when we need it most.

October 12, 2026Episode 12011 min

You don't have to... sacrifice your values for anything. Especially your business.

This is the last of the 'you don't have to' mini series and probably my favourite. I know there are a lot of opinions, feelings, thoughts around this whole topic. The one thing I always come back to - human rights. And for me, personally, my values will ALWAYS come before any amount of money. But the other thing I think is so important and getting lost in a lot of rhetoric and everything that's going on - why is it radical to be FOR human rights? Why are people scared to say something because it will risk their business, clients, followers... To me, that's a bigger problem. Because if saying that 'rape is wrong' or all humans should have equal rights will 'destroy' your business, that needs some serious reflection. If we truly want change, to make an impact, to see a difference, to have a future where human rights are at the forefront - this matters. If we truly want things to change, the narrative has to. Supporting human rights has to become the minimum, not the radical thought. Top takeaways from this episode... ✨ You can absolutely build a successful business without sacrificing your values ✨ I'm questioning and challenging the narrative around - that being FOR human rights is the "radical" position as not only a business owner but just a human ✨ What it means when we say - supporting women, supporting small business owners, supporting minorities, getting more money in the hands of good people I'd love to hear your thoughts after you give the episode a listen! Come join us for my free monthly chat! We meet every 2nd Wednesday of each month and kick off with a different topic. This is your time to ask questions about tech, systems, automations, and strategy, AND connect with other likeminded business owners for a casual chat! Our topic for October is BLACK FRIDAY. Whether you've decided what you're doing, you're not sure, or you're not into it, it's a great opportunity to join the discussion and meet new *normal ass* business friends! The 2027 Sustainable Business Planning Workshop is here! My favourite workshop of the whole entire year is back over 2 days this time - October 27 + 28! Sign up to join me for free and let's plan out your 2027 to hit your goals in a way that's sustainable, doesn't sacrifice your values, and allows you to live your life at the same time! Send us Fan Mail Connect with me here: IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamtaraleson/ Website: https://www.taraleson.com Check out The Safer List here! It's updated every Tues and Fri with new business owners! The Safer List is a resource for business owners who are looking to make sure they are spending with and supporting businesses who value ALL human rights and are looking to make a POSITIVE difference in the world at a time when we need it most.

October 5, 2026Episode 11931 min

BTS of my quarterly review process and results of my Q3...

Today I'm sharing my quarterly review process that I do each quarter to reflect on what happened in the previous 3 months - what worked, what didn't, why, and what I want to focus on going forward. YES, this is the non-fancy, boring shit. But this is exactly what helps you identify the things (strategy, lead generation, marketing, systems, etc) that ARE working in your business so you can spend less time on what isn't, more time on what obviously is (and that you actually enjoy), and achieve your goals. All while being aligned with your life, your capacity, all the things that should be accounted for. The main questions I ask are: ✨ What worked best? ✨ What felt hardest? ✨ What changed/didn't go to plan? ✨ What am I most proud of? ✨ What are the 2 main things I'm focusing on for the next quarter to get me closer to my overall goals? I'm breaking down each one and how you can reflect on it yourself for your business and then diving into what it looked like for my Q3. This is a real BTS and some of it is NOT pretty but this is real business. I'd love to hear your thoughts after you listen and how your review goes! If you want to dive into it together and really nail down what's working for your business and your next best steps - book a free systems and strategy session! Come join us for my free monthly chat! We meet every 2nd Wednesday of each month and kick off with a different topic. This is your time to ask questions about tech, systems, automations, and strategy, AND connect with other likeminded business owners for a casual chat! Our topic for October is BLACK FRIDAY. Whether you've decided what you're doing, you're not sure, or you're not into it, it's a great opportunity to join the discussion and meet new *normal ass* business friends! Send us Fan Mail Connect with me here: IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamtaraleson/ Website: https://www.taraleson.com Check out The Safer List here! It's updated every Tues and Fri with new business owners! The Safer List is a resource for business owners who are looking to make sure they are spending with and supporting businesses who value ALL human rights and are looking to make a POSITIVE difference in the world at a time when we need it most.

September 28, 2026Episode 11826 min

You don't have to... fall for the online popularity contest

This is a bonus in my 'you don't have to' series. The one I had decided I wasn't going to post... And then a bunch of stuff blew up online. Whether you've seen it or not isn't really the point, this has been going on for years. Most of the episode was recorded before any of that because my thoughts on the online cliques/girl groups/popularity contest shit has always remained the same. I also added in some additional thoughts that I think you'll enjoy... As always, it comes back to - building, growing, scaling a SUSTAINABLE business that's going to be around long term and that allows you to achieve your goals and live the life YOU want, is dependent on doing what works for you. I'd love to hear your thoughts after you give the episode a listen! Top takeaways from this episode... ✨ Proximity to a person doesn't = a sustainable or successful business ✨ Focusing on your OWN goals, business, how that fits within your life, and capacity is always going to get you farther than worrying about 'fitting in' ✨ The importance of discernment online There's still time to join us in Impact! Check out all the details here and let's chat about what the next 6 months could look like for you and your business! Send us Fan Mail Connect with me here: IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamtaraleson/ Website: https://www.taraleson.com Check out The Safer List here! It's updated every Tues and Fri with new business owners! The Safer List is a resource for business owners who are looking to make sure they are spending with and supporting businesses who value ALL human rights and are looking to make a POSITIVE difference in the world at a time when we need it most.

September 21, 2026Episode 11728 min

You don't have to... do everything in your business for money.

This is the 5th of my 'you don't have to' mini series and today is probably one of the most controversial because of course we have to make money in our business. AND not everything has to be done for money or because you're driven by monetary gain. There is a LOT of nuance to this conversation and it's one that I don't think I could even make a post on social media for because there are definitely strong feelings around it and also a lot of rhetoric that says - you should never do anything if you're not getting paid... Well, I (clearly) disagree and that still doesn't take away from the money that you CAN make. I'd love to hear your thoughts after you give the episode a listen! Top takeaways from this episode... ✨ There are things in your business that you will do that don't necessarily have a DIRECT monetary pay off AND there are some things that you can do just because you WANT to ✨ The constant debate around free calls - should you, shouldn't you, do they even work ✨ Trading services is a thing and can be a really great way to help you grow ✨ The most taboo - helping someone for, god forbid, FREE - because it's actually your business and you get to do what you want to ✨ The abundance mindset of it all - because doesn't that contradict abundance if you aren't showing people and being the role model for getting paid for everything?? Impact is starting soon! Check out all the details and book your call to chat about if it's the right fit for you! We're kicking off officially on September 28 and if you're looking for a blend of customized 1:1, group, and community support for the fall and into the new year - I'd love for you to see if Impact would be a fit! Send us Fan Mail Connect with me here: IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamtaraleson/ Website: https://www.taraleson.com Check out The Safer List here! It's updated every Tues and Fri with new business owners! The Safer List is a resource for business owners who are looking to make sure they are spending with and supporting businesses who value ALL human rights and are looking to make a POSITIVE difference in the world at a time when we need it most.

September 14, 2026Episode 11633 min

You don't have to... post on IG to have a successful online business

This is the 4th of my 'you don't have to' mini series and today I'm bringing the conversation to the pod that I've been having behind the scenes for months now. All about Instagram. It is seemingly always touted as the 'go-to' platform for marketing an online business, and I know I've heard way more than once - if you don't post there, what are you going to do?! After over 6 years and 2 businesses worth of posting there, lots of data, and tons of time spent, one of the questions I'm answering in this episode is - what I'm doing going forward. But not only that, why IG is so far from the only way to market your business online and it might not even be the best one for you... at least not the way we're all being bombarded by 80 trends per day to keep with, every 5 min algorithm changes, and new ways to edit your videos so that they 'actually' get shown to more than 10 people. If you're also over IG, want a different perspective, or maybe you don't want to give it up, but you really want to hear something other than 'just do x' from a person who has a team 20 people deep... Check out the episode and let me know your thoughts once you give it a listen! Top takeaways from this episode... ✨ Any marketing channel is only ONE way to market your business and there are many ways to find clients, leads, and promote your business online ✨ Posting on IG without feeling like you're having to buy into every trend, become an expert of the algorithm, or have content consume your entire life from a strategist's perspective ✨ Breaking up with IG and other options you have ✨ What I'm changing after 6 years of posting on IG Check out all the details for Impact and book your call to chat about if it's the right fit for you! We're kicking off officially on September 28 and if you're looking for a blend of customized 1:1, group, and community support for the fall and into the new year - I'd love for you to see if Impact would be a fit! Send us Fan Mail Connect with me here: IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamtaraleson/ Website: https://www.taraleson.com Check out The Safer List here! It's updated every Tues and Fri with new business owners! The Safer List is a resource for business owners who are looking to make sure they are spending with and supporting businesses who value ALL human rights and are looking to make a POSITIVE difference in the world at a time when we need it most.

September 7, 2026Episode 11527 min

You don't have to... copy anyone else's strategy to be successful

This is the 3rd episode in the 'you don't have to' mini series and today it's all about something I talk about A LOT. It's probably also one of the biggest traps to fall into in business, because there are so many options out there that are being sold to you constantly telling you that if you 'just follow these 5 steps' or implement THIS exact framework, that's the way success will surely come. Copy this, steal my strategy... so you too can be just as successful. Except that's not the way it works. Your definition of success comes from finding the strategies that work for YOUR business, based on your goals, your life, and your circumstances. Not copying what someone else has done 🤍 I'd love to hear your thoughts after you give this episode a listen! Top takeaways from this episode... ✨ The main ways these ineffective 'steal my strategy to become successful' show up and how to make sure you aren't falling into the trap ✨ Why copying someone else's 'tried and true' strategy doesn't work for your business even if it worked for hers... ✨ Five questions to ask yourself to get clear on what YOU really want and the strategies that make sense for you and your business Check out all the details for Impact and add to your name to the waitlist here! We're kicking off officially on September 28 and if you're looking for a blend of customized 1:1, group, and community support for the fall and into the new year - I'd love for you to see if Impact would be a fit! Send us Fan Mail Connect with me here: IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamtaraleson/ Website: https://www.taraleson.com Check out The Safer List here! It's updated every Tues and Fri with new business owners! The Safer List is a resource for business owners who are looking to make sure they are spending with and supporting businesses who value ALL human rights and are looking to make a POSITIVE difference in the world at a time when we need it most.