Take The Leap

Welcome to the 29th episode of Take the Leap's second season. In this episode, "Why Weird Works: What It Really Takes to Stand Out and Connect with Megan Eckman" we get a masterclass in embracing brand evolution, trusting your weirdness, and creating a brand that deeply connects — not just converts. 

Some of our favorite takeaways include: 

• Follow curiosity, not trends. Megan’s success often came from experimenting — not following trends but responding to what customers asked for. 
• Too many businesses skip deep internal work in favor of aesthetics.
• Having an outlet for joy actually improves clarity, focus, and innovation in your work.

Apply for Uplevel Lab (formerly known as Design Jam)

A small-group incubator for entrepreneurs who feel stuck in their business and want to ideate new directions through creative collaboration and structured support. https://www.fatcap-design.com/uplevel-lab 

Guest & Host Information:

• Guest, Megan Eckman, Founder of Fat Cap Design 
• Co-Host, Ashlan Glazier-Anderson, Owner of AshbeanPDX Marketing
• Co-Host, Victoria (Tory) Proppe, Owner of Imagine Marketing Strategies

Connect with Megan:

• On Instagram @meganmeckman
• On LinkedIn
• Visit the Fat Cap Design website
• Learn more about Design Jam 

Guest Bio: Megan Eckman

Megan has always been drawn to 'impossible' challenges, including starting a business while earning degrees in creative writing and art. 

After that she tackled:

• Growing an illustration business in San Jose, CA
• Illustrating for Google
• Building an embroidery kit empire that stocked 200+ shops around the country, kept hundreds entertained with monthly subscriptions, and helped thousands get their crafting fix during the pandemic
• Rebranding that embroidery kit business for 150% increase in sales YoY
• Starting a UX business to help small businesses redesign their websites, with most clients enjoying a 30% increase in sales YoY

And now, she’s helping businesses get their spark back with their customer by co-designing authentic and engaging brand experiences at her new company, Fat Cap. 

Connect with us:

• Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Take the Leap
• Follow us on Instagram: @taketheleap_today
• Find Ashlan on Instagram & LinkedIn
• Find Tory on Instagram & LinkedIn 

The Course
The Take the Leap course contains everything you need to know to successfully launch your business now. Sign up today to join the course and get support from Ashlan & Tory who will guide you through your journey as a new entrepreneur. 

Like our content? Be sure to subscribe and review!

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Welcome to the 28th episode of Take the Leap's second season. In this episode, "Stop Shouting Into the Void: Why Connection Beats Content" co-hosts Ashlan Glazier-Anderson and Victoria Proppe reflect on how small acts—whether it's fixing your referral systems, tending a garden, or showing up to help a neighbor—add up to big impact in both business and life. This continues the theme of our season–community, clarity, and care are essential ingredients for sustainable entrepreneurship in uncertain times. Listen to the episode with Dusti Arab that we reference on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch on YouTube.

Key Takeaways from the Episode: 

• When networking, avoid showing up with “what can I get” energy. Instead, be a whole person and build authentic connections.
• Amidst political instability and rising authoritarianism, building strong community connections is a powerful act of resistance and resilience.
• The culture of competition and hustle under capitalism can isolate entrepreneurs. Joining networking groups, nonprofit boards, or mom-and-kid classes are simple ways to build local community and combat loneliness.

Host information:

• Co-Host, Ashlan Glazier-Anderson, Owner of AshbeanPDX Marketing
• Co-Host, Victoria (Tory) Proppe, Owner of Imagine Marketing Strategies

Connect with us:

• Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Take the Leap
• Follow us on Instagram: @taketheleap_today
• Find Ashlan on Instagram & LinkedIn
• Find Tory on Instagram & LinkedIn 

The Course: 

The Take the Leap course contains everything you need to know to successfully launch your business now. Sign up today to join the course and get support from Ashlan & Tory who will guide you through your journey as a new entrepreneur.

Like our content? Be sure to subscribe and review!

Want to keep in touch?

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Welcome to the 27th episode of Take the Leap's second season. In this episode, "Relationships Over Algorithms: Building Referral-Worthy Businesses with Dusti Arab.” In this lively and inspiring episode, hosts Ashlan and Victoria sit down with marketing strategist and community builder Dusti Arab, founder of The Reinvention Co. and host of Referral Worthy podcast. Dusti brings her raw, real, and refreshingly honest insights about building a referral-driven business, trusting yourself, and staying grounded even when the world feels chaotic.

Some of our favorite takeaways include: 

• Trust yourself early and often. Nobody has the answers—you just have to figure it out by doing.
• Referrals don’t come from just doing good work—they come from clear messaging, strong systems, and staying connected.
• Your business doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. You don’t need to do marketing the way everyone tells you to. 
• Keep planting. Keep building. Even if everything feels uncertain, taking small actions helps you feel connected, prepared, and hopeful.

Guest & Host Information:

• Guest, Dusti Arab, Fractional CMO & Marketing Strategist at the reinvention co
• Co-Host, Ashlan Glazier-Anderson, Owner of AshbeanPDX Marketing
• Co-Host, Victoria (Tory) Proppe, Owner of Imagine Marketing Strategies

Connect with Dusti:

• On Instagram @dustiarab
• On LinkedIn
• On Substack @dustiarab
• On TikTok @dustiarab

Guest Bio: Dusti Arab

Dusti Arab is a marketing strategist, writer, and community builder who knows that relationships—not algorithms—are the foundation of a thriving business. Dusti Arab is the founder of The Reinvention Co. and the host of Referral Worthy, where she helps service-based business owners build businesses that grow through trust and word-of-mouth, not just endless content creation. With a background spanning self-help, SaaS, book marketing, and course creation, she’s worked with everyone from solopreneurs to New York Times bestselling authors to make sure their marketing actually works. Dusti, welcome to the show

Connect with us:

• Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Take the Leap
• Follow us on Instagram: @taketheleap_today
• Find Ashlan on Instagram & LinkedIn
• Find Tory on Instagram & LinkedIn 

The Course
The Take the Leap course contains everything you need to know to successfully launch your business now. Sign up today to join the course and get support from Ashlan & Tory who will guide you through your journey as a new entrepreneur. 

Like our content? Be sure to subscribe and review!

Want to keep in touch?

Find us on:
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Welcome to the 26th episode of Take the Leap's second season. In this episode, "Pivot Don’t Panic–Staying Resilient in Uncertain Times" co-hosts Ashlan Glazier-Anderson and Victoria Proppe reinforce a central message: entrepreneurship isn’t linear, and it’s not something you have to navigate alone, among other insights from our last guest episode with Nel Taylor. Whether you’re pivoting your business, simplifying your services, or just trying to stay grounded in turbulent times, resilience, flexibility, and community are your greatest assets. Listen to the episode with Nel Taylor on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch on YouTube.

Key Takeaways from the Episode: 

• Entrepreneurs must expect and prepare for change, especially as larger external factors (like politics, funding shifts, or public sentiment) impact business operations.
• Sometimes we overextend ourselves to do everything perfectly when what’s needed is simply what’s essential.
• A strong community helps you stay aligned with your values, get referrals, share resources, and simply feel less alone—especially during times of political and societal unrest.

Host information:

• Co-Host, Ashlan Glazier-Anderson, Owner of AshbeanPDX Marketing
• Co-Host, Victoria (Tory) Proppe, Owner of Imagine Marketing Strategies

Connect with us:

• Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Take the Leap
• Follow us on Instagram: @taketheleap_today
• Find Ashlan on Instagram & LinkedIn
• Find Tory on Instagram & LinkedIn 

The Course: 

The Take the Leap course contains everything you need to know to successfully launch your business now. Sign up today to join the course and get support from Ashlan & Tory who will guide you through your journey as a new entrepreneur.

Like our content? Be sure to subscribe and review!

Want to keep in touch?

Find us on:
Youtube
Instagram

Welcome to the 25th episode of Take the Leap's second season. In this episode, "Beyond Performative: How to Actually Live Your DEI Values with Nel Taylor" we explore the state of DEI in the nonprofit sector, how organizations can adapt under current political pressures, and how to embed equity into everyday operations–not just as a buzzword or temporary initiative, but as a long-term, justice-centered practice.  

Some of our favorite takeaways include: 

• The current backlash against DEI has exposed who was preformative all along. Companies and nonprofits that adopted DEI as a trend quickly removed equity statements and backed off their commitments. 
• You can future-proof equity work by embedding it in your operations rather than just making a statement or siloing the work in a DEI committee. Looking at HR policies, leadership models, compensation, hiring practices, and internal culture are opportunities. 
• Use alternative language when needed – Nel reframed DEI as “ethical operations” and “equitable HR,” while also sharing Lily Zheng’s FAIR (Fairness, Access, Inclusion, and Representation) framework as a way to help organizations continue this work without triggering political scrutiny. 

Join Nel’s Course – Rethinking HR: Transforming Policies for Workplace Equity and Justice (May 1 - July 31, 2025)

Rethinking HR: Transforming Policies for Workplace Equity and Justice is a live twelve-week virtual course where you will learn how to dismantle harmful HR practices and infuse Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice principles into the DNA and culture of your organization through human-centered policies and internal processes. Use Promo Code: LEAP for $250 off! Sign up at https://www.nowthisconsulting.com/course 

Guest & Host Information:

• Guest, Nel Taylor, Founder & Steward of Now This Consulting
• Co-Host, Ashlan Glazier-Anderson, Owner of AshbeanPDX Marketing
• Co-Host, Victoria (Tory) Proppe, Owner of Imagine Marketing Strategies

Connect with Nel:

• On Instagram @nowthisconsulting
• On LinkedIn
• On TikTok @nowthisconsulting 

Listen to Nel’s Season 1 Episode: 

• On Apple Podcasts
• On Spotify
• On YouTube

The Course
The Take the Leap course contains everything you need to know to successfully launch your business now. Sign up today to join the course and get support from Ashlan & Tory who will guide you through your journey as a new entrepreneur. 

Like our content? Be sure to subscribe and review!

Want to keep in touch?

Find us on:
Youtube
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Welcome to the 24th episode of Take the Leap's second season. In this episode, "Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable–The Secret of Entrepreneurial Success" co-hosts Ashlan Glazier-Anderson and Victoria Proppe reflect on what it means to start a business based on your own personal needs, embracing discomfort, and evolving over time among other insights from our last guest episode with Jeni Nguyen. Listen to the episode with Jeni Nguyen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch on YouTube.

Key Takeaways from the Episode: 

• Entrepreneurship is often about testing, learning, and adapting, even when you do everything “right.”
• Whether for encouragement, referrals, or accountability, community matters more than traditional networking.
• Entrepreneurship is challenging but rewarding. Your journey will include ups, downs, and pivots—but resilience, community, and creativity are key to moving forward.

Host information:

• Co-Host, Ashlan Glazier-Anderson, Owner of AshbeanPDX Marketing
• Co-Host, Victoria (Tory) Proppe, Owner of Imagine Marketing Strategies

Connect with us:

• Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Take the Leap
• Follow us on Instagram: @taketheleap_today
• Find Ashlan on Instagram & LinkedIn
• Find Tory on Instagram & LinkedIn 

The Course: 

The Take the Leap course contains everything you need to know to successfully launch your business now. Sign up today to join the course and get support from Ashlan & Tory who will guide you through your journey as a new entrepreneur.

Like our content? Be sure to subscribe and review!

Want to keep in touch?

Find us on:
Youtube
Instagram

Welcome to the 23rd episode of Take the Leap's second season. In this episode, "Blending Beauty & Function: Jeni Nguyen’s Journey to Creating Bunny-Friendly Furniture" our guest is an inspiring reminder that passion and creativity can drive business success, even in a niche market. By following her gut, solving her own problem, and trusting that others would resonate with her vision, Jeni has created a functional, beautiful brand that helps both rabbits and their owners live better lives. Jeni’s story proves that sometimes the best businesses start with the question: “Why not me?” 

Some of our favorite takeaways include: 

• Get comfortable with being uncomfortable–success requires navigating uncertainty and discomfort. 
• Find joy in the process–entrepreneurship is challenging, but the experience is worth it. 
• The biggest surprise in business? Finding customers was easier than expected–manufacturing and supply chain logistics were the harder part. 

Download the FREE Better Bunny Living Guide

Join the Better Bunny Club and start living in harmony with your pet house rabbit. https://binkrabbitgoods.com/pages/free-guide 

Join the WAITLIST for BINK’s next furniture production run

Be the first to know when bunny furniture is back! 🐰 Next release: Easter 4/20/2025

Guest & Host Information:

• Guest, Jeni Nguyen, Founder of BINK Rabbit Goods 
• Co-Host, Ashlan Glazier-Anderson, Owner of AshbeanPDX Marketing
• Co-Host, Victoria (Tory) Proppe, Owner of Imagine Marketing Strategies

Connect with Jeni:

• On Instagram @bink.rabbitgoods 
• Visit BINK Rabbit Goods website

Guest Bio: Jeni Nguyen 

Jeni is a creative problem-solver passionate about crafting beautiful, thoughtful designs. With a background in bespoke architecture, she thrives in big-picture strategy and moves fluidly across design disciplines. Working at the intersection of storytelling and design thinking, Jeni strives to reveal meaning in every project. As the founder of BINK Rabbit Goods, she designs elegant, rabbit-safe furniture solutions and lifestyle products that elevate the connection between pet bunnies and the humans who love them. Her work has been published in Dwell, Design Milk, Domino, Apartment Therapy, and others. Through BINK, Jeni is redefining what it means to live harmoniously with house rabbits.

Connect with us:

• Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Take the Leap
• Follow us on Instagram: @taketheleap_today
• Find Ashlan on Instagram & LinkedIn
• Find Tory on Instagram & LinkedIn 

The Course
The Take the Leap course contains everything you need to know to successfully launch your business now. Sign up today to join the course and get support from Ashlan & Tory who will guide you through your journey as a new entrepreneur. 

Like our content? Be sure to subscribe and review!

Want to keep in touch?

Find us on:
Youtube
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Welcome to the 22nd episode of Take the Leap's second season. In this episode, "Lessons in Business: When to Say Yes, No, and F*ck You" co-hosts Ashlan Glazier-Anderson and Victoria Proppe speak about the importance of valuing your work, setting strong business boundaries, ignoring all that bad business advice, and being proactive about cybersecurity among other reflections from our last guest episode with Brady Helkenn. Listen to the episode with Brady Helkenn on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch on YouTube.

Key Takeaways from the Episode: 

• Discounting your services often attracts the most difficult clients. When pricing is lowered to accommodate certain clients, the working relationship is often more stressful and less fulfilling. 
• Not all advice applies to everyone–you get to choose how you structure your business, services, and pricing. 
• Many small business owners assume hackers won’t target them, but in reality, small businesses can be even more vulnerable. Taking basic security precautions (like using password managers, multi-factor authentication, and backing up data) can prevent major losses. 

Host information:

• Co-Host, Ashlan Glazier-Anderson, Owner of AshbeanPDX Marketing
• Co-Host, Victoria (Tory) Proppe, Owner of Imagine Marketing Strategies

Connect with us:

• Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Take the Leap
• Follow us on Instagram: @taketheleap_today
• Find Ashlan on Instagram & LinkedIn
• Find Tory on Instagram & LinkedIn 

The Course: 

The Take the Leap course contains everything you need to know to successfully launch your business now. Sign up today to join the course and get support from Ashlan & Tory who will guide you through your journey as a new entrepreneur.

Like our content? Be sure to subscribe and review!

Want to keep in touch?

Find us on:
Youtube
Instagram

Welcome to the 21st episode of Take the Leap's second season. In this episode, "Why Small Businesses Can’t Ignore Cybersecurity (And What to Do About It) with Brady Helkenn" our guest shares insights about pricing, cybersecurity, business strategy, and workflow optimization. 

Some of our favorite takeaways include: 

• Don’t be afraid to raise your rates and charge what you are worth. Pricing too low can hurt your credibility–clients may assume you’re inexperienced or lower quality. 
• Entrepreneurs don’t have to follow traditional models–they should build businesses that reflect their values. 
• Small businesses often assume they won’t be targeted, but hackers don’t care how big you are–they just look for vulnerabilities. 

Looking for IT Support for your Small Business or Start-up?

BH Tech Connection offers a $297 Small Business Startup IT Consultation and Checklist. Access the offer here: https://bhtechconnection.com/small-business-startup-it-package/ 

Guest & Host Information:

• Guest, Brady Helkenn, Principal & Jedi Master at BH Tech Connection
• Co-Host, Ashlan Glazier-Anderson, Owner of AshbeanPDX Marketing
• Co-Host, Victoria (Tory) Proppe, Owner of Imagine Marketing Strategies

Connect with Brady:

• On LinkedIn
• Visit BH Tech Connection
• Visit Deluxe Sabers

Connect with us:

• Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Take the Leap
• Follow us on Instagram: @taketheleap_today
• Find Ashlan on Instagram & LinkedIn
• Find Tory on Instagram & LinkedIn 

The Course
The Take the Leap course contains everything you need to know to successfully launch your business now. Sign up today to join the course and get support from Ashlan & Tory who will guide you through your journey as a new entrepreneur. 

Like our content? Be sure to subscribe and review!

Want to keep in touch?

Find us on:
Youtube
Instagram

Welcome to the 20th episode of Take the Leap's second season. In this episode, "Beyond the Girlboss Era: How to Build a Business Without Burnout," co-hosts Ashlan Glazier-Anderson and Victoria Proppe speak about slowing down, setting realistic expectations, and being mindful of how work habits impact mental health among other reflections from our last guest episode with Danielle Dinkelman. Listen to the episode with Danielle Dinkelman on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch on YouTube.

Also catch our Season 1 episode with Danielle here on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch on YouTube.

Key Takeaways from the Episode: 

• By prioritizing rest, self-awareness, and strategic planning, entrepreneurs can avoid burnout and build sustainable success rather than chasing an endless cycle of overwork.  
• Burnout affects everyone–whether in a 9-to-5 job or entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs often struggle with setting boundaries, thinking that more hours will lead to more success, when in reality, it leads to more exhaustion. 
• A good rule of thumb: Don’t operate at 100% all the time–aim for 70% capacity to leave room for flexibility, unexpected challenges, and personal time. 

Host information:

• Co-Host, Ashlan Glazier-Anderson, Owner of AshbeanPDX Marketing
• Co-Host, Victoria (Tory) Proppe, Owner of Imagine Marketing Strategies

Connect with us:

• Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Take the Leap
• Follow us on Instagram: @taketheleap_today
• Find Ashlan on Instagram & LinkedIn
• Find Tory on Instagram & LinkedIn 

The Course: 

The Take the Leap course contains everything you need to know to successfully launch your business now. Sign up today to join the course and get support from Ashlan & Tory who will guide you through your journey as a new entrepreneur.

Like our content? Be sure to subscribe and review!

Want to keep in touch?

Find us on:
Youtube
Instagram