Voted Least Likely

Hosted by Leah Yard

Business Entrepreneurship Education

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Do you feel alone in your struggle? Do you feel like you know there is something special in you to give, but you feel stuck? Do you feel like the least likely person to be able to succeed? Ya, me too. The good news? You’re in the right place. Welcome to the Voted Least Likely Podcast. I’m Leah, and I’ll be your host on this messy trip. I am a high school drop out who accidentally became an entrepreneur (aka: a certified ”Failure Expert”). When starting my jewellery business Leah Yard Designs, I struggled to find peers in the industry I could relate to. I felt completely alone and was tired of hearing entrepreneurial stories where everything seemed to ”fall into place” at the right time. Because starting something new? Building a business? It’s messy, heartbreaking, and often embarrassing. After failing over and over, I finally stumbled my way into success. But I’m not here to tell you how to be successful. I started the Voted Least Likely Podcast to share stories of failure, and demystify what it really means to be successful so YOU don’t feel alone. Welcome to the Voted Least Likely Podcast, I hope you didn’t get dressed up for this ;) Website: www.leahyard.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahyard/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leahyard

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 10, 2026Episode 17111 min

Comparison, Disappointment, and Getting Back to WORK

Lately, I've found myself caught in the comparison trap. In this episode of Voted Least Likely, I'm sharing a behind-the-scenes look at a season where I've been struggling with comparing my journey to the journeys of others. Whether it's business, life, opportunities, or success, comparison has a way of making us feel like we're falling behind, even when we're making progress. The truth is, I can only control my own actions. When I stop focusing on what everyone else is doing and return my attention to the work in front of me, I feel more grounded, hopeful, and capable. If you've ever felt like everyone's life is moving faster than yours, this one's for you. Let’s Connect If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway. Send me a message or share this episode with someone who might need it. Subscribe & Review If you’re enjoying Voted Least Likely, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review — it helps more people find the show 💗 Connect with the Podcast: www.leahyard.com IG: @leahyard TikTok: @leahyard

May 27, 2026Episode 1702 min

Start BEFORE you are ready

In this episode of Voted Least Likely, I'm diving in to one of the biggest lessons I've learned as an entrepreneur: clarity comes from action, not overthinking. For a long time, I stayed stuck in planning mode — talking about ideas, mapping things out, waiting until I felt prepared or more confident before making a move. But looking back, the moments that changed everything came from starting BEFORE I felt ready. This episode is about: -making decisions before you have all the answers -learning by doing -the trap of over-planning -and how imperfect action will teach you more than endless preparation ever can If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to start something, this episode is your reminder that confidence is often built after the leap — not before it. Let’s Connect If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway. Send me a message or share this episode with someone who might need it. Subscribe & Review If you’re enjoying Voted Least Likely, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review — it helps more people find the show 💗 Connect with the Podcast: www.leahyard.com IG: @leahyard TikTok: @leahyard

April 29, 2026Episode 1695 min

The LONG Game No One Talks About

What if the thing you want most takes 5… 10… even more years to achieve? In this episode of Voted Least Likely, I’m talking about something I’ve been sitting with lately, how long things actually take when you’re building something from the ground up. We live in a world that celebrates quick wins and overnight success, but the reality of entrepreneurship often looks very different. The goals I’m working toward right now are big, the kind that don’t happen in a few months or even a year. They might take 5 to 10 years… and there’s no guarantee they’ll ever fully come together. And I’m still choosing to go after them. In this episode, I share what it looks like to commit to something long-term, even when the outcome isn’t certain. The tension between ambition and patience. The doubt that creeps in when progress feels slow. And the decision to keep showing up anyway. This episode is about trusting the process — even when it stretches longer than you expected. Let’s Connect If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway. Send me a message or share this episode with someone who might need it. Subscribe & Review If you’re enjoying Voted Least Likely, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review — it helps more people find the show 💗 Connect with the Podcast: www.leahyard.com IG: @leahyard TikTok: @leahyard

April 22, 2026Episode 1687 min

I am in a Season of REJECTION

*I hesitated publishing this episode. I recorded it back in February and I kept pushing the release date. I decided that because of my hesitation, I knew it was the right thing to do. In this episode of Voted Least Likely, I’m talking about something that doesn’t get easier, no matter how much you grow: rejection. This year, I’ve been pushing myself in a bigger way — reaching out, putting my work and myself in front of new opportunities, and going after things that feel just out of reach. And with that has come a lot of “no’s.” I share what this season has actually felt like behind the scenes, the emotional weight of rejection, and the reality that it still stings, even when you expect it. If you’re in a season where things feel hard, uncertain, or discouraging — you’re not alone in it. Let’s Connect If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway. Send me a message or share this episode with someone who might need it. Subscribe & Review If you’re enjoying Voted Least Likely, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review — it helps more people find the show 💗 Connect with the Podcast: www.leahyard.com IG: @leahyard TikTok: @leahyard

April 1, 2026Episode 16724 min

I asked AI to be BRUTALLY HONEST (and it didn’t hold back)

In this episode of Voted Least Likely, I am sharing something I did that was uncomfortable — I asked AI to point out my blind spots in my business and my life. And what came back? It hit on things I already knew… but maybe wasn’t fully ready to admit. It also surprised me with an unexpected point of view. "We" talked about: - The pattern of jumping from one opportunity to the next - The difference between momentum and distraction - Where I might be playing small (even when it looks like I’m doing a lot) - And the uncomfortable truth about focus, consistency, and long-term growth If you’ve been feeling like you need to re-evaluate where you are, or where you are headed (and you’re willing to take feedback in unexpected places), this episode is for you. Let’s Connect If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway. Send me a message or share this episode with someone who might need it. Subscribe & Review If you’re enjoying Voted Least Likely, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review — it helps more people find the show 💗 Connect with the Podcast: www.leahyard.com IG: @leahyard TikTok: @leahyard

March 11, 2026Episode 1656 min

Why I started saying NO to customers

When you’re building a business, it can feel like you have to say YES to every opportunity and every customer. Especially in the beginning, when every sale feels important. But what happens when someone repeatedly pushes your boundaries? When a customer takes advantage of your generosity, your time, or your policies? In this episode, I'm talking about one of the harder lessons I learned about running a business: learning that not everyone is meant to be part of the community you’re building. This conversation explores the discomfort of setting boundaries with customers, why it’s so difficult to do early on, and how protecting your energy and your brand is sometimes more important than making a sale. Because the truth is — saying no isn’t about exclusion. It’s about creating a business and a community that are healthy, respectful, and sustainable. In this episode: - Why it feels so hard to say no to customers early in business - Recognizing when someone is taking advantage of your generosity - The difference between good customer service and sacrificing your boundaries - How saying no protects your energy and your brand - Building a community that aligns with your values This episode is a reminder to think about the big picture. You're building something for the long haul, make sure you carefully curate who's coming with you. Connect with the Voted Least Likely Podcast: www.leahyard.com IG: @leahyard TikTok: @leahyard

March 4, 2026Episode 16653 min

Building BEFORE You’re Ready with Sarah D’Arcy

In this episode of Voted Least Likely, I’m joined by celebrity stylist Sarah D’Arcy for a conversation about building something of your own — even when you don’t feel fully ready. Sarah shares how she grew her styling business while still working a corporate job, navigating uncertainty, and the quiet belief that something bigger was possible. What struck me most in this conversation is how much of entrepreneurship is built in the in-between seasons. We talk about: - Building your business alongside a full-time job - The mentors who shaped Sarah’s early career — and why encouragement at the right time changes everything - Why you never truly feel “ready” to leap into entrepreneurship - The uncertainty that comes with betting on yourself - Staying humble and grounded as the landscape of business changes Sarah speaks candidly about the self-doubt, the pivots, and the discipline required to create longevity — not just visibility. This conversation is a reminder that success is rarely loud in the beginning. It’s often built quietly, in small rooms, before anyone else sees it. If you’re in the middle of building something — while juggling work, responsibilities, or fear — this episode will resonate deeply. As always, thank you for being here. Connect with the Voted Least Likely Podcast: www.leahyard.com IG: @leahyard TikTok: @leahyard

February 25, 2026Episode 16411 min

I Worked 341 Hours in 31 Days (here's what surprised me)

In this solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what happened during one of the most intense months I’ve had in business. For 31 days, I ran a full-time pop-up space while managing my jewelry brand behind the scenes — production, emails, marketing, customer service — and continuing to host this podcast. Here's the calculation: 341 hours worked in 31 days. This episode isn’t about glorifying burnout. It’s about what I learned when I stopped assuming I was already at capacity. Here’s what shifted for me: -Why we’re often capable of far more than we believe -The difference between keeping your standards vs. lowering your expectations -How I protected my non-negotiables (like movement and health) while adjusting how they showed up -The surprising realization that I could still do MORE One example: I kept the standard that I would exercise five days a week. That didn’t change. What changed was the expectation that every workout had to be long or perfect. Some were only 10 minutes. Some were simple. But the standard remained. That distinction changed everything. This month challenged my ideas about capacity, discipline, and what I’m building toward. It also forced me to confront what “too much” really means. If you’ve ever felt stretched, ambitious, overwhelmed, or curious about your own edge — this one’s for you. Connect with the Voted Least Likely Podcast: www.leahyard.com IG: @leahyard TikTok: @leahyard

February 11, 2026Episode 16213 min

3 Controversial Beliefs I Have (That Help Me Grow My Business)

Not all growth advice is comfortable. Some of the beliefs that have helped me the most are the ones people push back on the hardest. In this solo episode of Voted Least Likely, I share three deeply held — and often controversial — beliefs that have shaped how I run my business, show up in difficult moments, and keep moving forward when things don’t go as planned. These aren’t polished motivational soundbites. They’re practical, uncomfortable mindsets that helped me move out of victim thinking, stay grounded in uncertainty, and learn from places I didn’t expect. This episode isn’t about telling you what to believe — it’s about offering perspectives you can sit with, challenge, take pieces from, or leave behind. In this episode, I talk about: 1. “Everything is my fault” - Why taking full responsibility gives you control — not shame - How a victim mindset can feel comforting but keep you stuck - The difference between blame and ownership - A story from an early holiday market that completely changed how I show up - Why your behaviour matters more than the circumstances How responsibility creates momentum, even in bad situations 2. “I am not entitled to success” - The uncertainty of building a business and why it never guarantees a happy ending - The sacrifices that come with entrepreneurship — time, relationships, rest - Why hard work increases your chances, but doesn’t make success inevitable - Starting my jewellery brand assuming I would fail — and why that mattered - How not feeling “owed” success helps me stay grounded and present Why enjoying the journey matters when outcomes aren’t promised 3. “You don’t have to like your mentors” - Why you don’t need to agree with everything someone believes to learn from them - Taking what works and leaving the rest - Moving away from all-or-nothing thinking - Learning from people with different values, politics, or perspectives - Why nuance and independent thinking are critical for growth - Resisting cancel culture as a default approach to learning Key themes in this episode: - Personal responsibility vs. self-punishment - Growth through discomfort - Entrepreneurship without entitlement - Mindset shifts for long-term business building - Learning discernment instead of idolization - Letting go of the need to be liked or universally agreed with This episode isn’t for everyone — and that’s okay. These beliefs are controversial because they challenge comfort, certainty, and consensus. My hope is that hearing them helps you feel less alone, sparks a new way of thinking, or gives you permission to question the beliefs you’ve been holding onto — especially the ones that might be holding you back. Take what resonates. Leave what doesn’t. And focus on the beliefs that help you become your best version. Connect with the Voted Least Likely Podcast: www.leahyard.com IG: @leahyard TikTok: @leahyard

February 4, 2026Episode 16351 min

Building a Business That FITS Your Life with Lauren Tilden

What does it really take to build a small business, especially when your brain doesn’t fit the traditional mold? In this episode of Voted Least Likely, I am sitting down with entrepreneur, marketer, and podcast host, Lauren Tilden for an honest conversation about the behind-the-scenes challenges of running a business, navigating late ADHD diagnosis, and learning how to work with your brain instead of against it. Lauren shares her journey of being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, how it reshaped the way she approaches her work, and the systems she’s put in place to support herself as a business owner. Together, we dive into why clarity-- around the life you want and the business you’re building-- is one of the most important (and often overlooked) foundations of long-term success. This episode is a reminder that there’s no one “right” way to build a business—and that success looks different when you define it on your own terms. In This Episode, We Talk About: -The realities and growing pains of building a small business -Lauren’s ADHD diagnosis and how it changed her relationship with work -Why clarity around your desired lifestyle matters just as much as revenue goals -Designing a business that supports your energy, values, and season of life -Letting go of expectations and building sustainably If you've ever felt overwhelmed by entrepreneurship or wondered why traditional productivity advice doesn't seem to work, this episode is for you. Learn more about Lauren Tilden here: https://www.makinggoodpodcast.com Doing the Dang Thing Workshop: https://www.laurentilden.co/dtdt-workshop Follow Lauren on IG: https://www.instagram.com/laurentilden Connect with the Voted Least Likely Podcast: www.leahyard.com IG: @leahyard TikTok: @leahyard