Take The Leap

Returning guest Mark Mohammadpour shares how Chasing the Sun has evolved from coaching to a keynote-driven business and what he’s seeing in workplace wellbeing as companies navigate hybrid work, AI acceleration, and rising employee isolation. Tory and Ashlan dig into what makes conference culture actually work (hint: it’s not another panel that “could’ve been an email”), and Mark offers a simple but spicy answer to what wellbeing really requires: treating people like adults.

Listen if you’re building a business, leading a team, or trying to stay human at work in a world that keeps changing the rules mid-game.

Some of our favorite takeaways from this episode include: 

• A “simple” offer makes your brand easier to remember. Mark found “keynote speaker” created clearer positioning than “consultant,” even though he still offers other services.
• Keynote speaking is relationship work, not just stage time. The real ROI often comes from the conversations after the talk via meals, hallway chats, and follow-ups weeks later.
• Wellbeing starts with transparency and trust. Clear expectations (hours, hybrid schedules, priorities) reduce anxiety, protect confidence, and prevent the “bait and switch” employees are sick of.
• In-office time should have a purpose. If everyone comes to the office just to sit on Zoom, what are we doing here? Use office days for collaboration, ideation, and connection.
• AI isn’t replacing your mission, it’s a tool to deliver it. Mark’s approach: use AI to support implementation (prompts, templates, action plans), while keeping the core message human.

Guest & Host Information:

• Guest, Mark Mohammadpour, Owner of Chasing the Sun
• Co-Host, Ashlan Glazier-Anderson, Owner of AshbeanPDX Marketing
• Co-Host, Victoria (Tory) Proppe, Owner of Imagine Marketing Strategies

Connect with Mark:

• Visit the Chasing the Sun website: http://chasingthesunpdx.com
• On LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmohammadpour 

Connect with us:

• On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaketheLeap-Today 
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taketheleap_today 
• Find Ashlan on Instagram & LinkedIn: 
  • https://www.instagram.com/ashbeanpdxmktg 
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashlan-glazier-anderson 
• Find Tory on Instagram & LinkedIn 
  • https://www.instagram.com/imaginemarketingstrategies 
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriaproppe 

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.

Sign up here: https://www.taketheleap-today.com/the-course 

Like our content? Be sure to subscribe and review!

Want to keep in touch?

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In this debrief episode, Ashlan and Tory reflect on their recent conversation with Nedra and pull out the real-life business lessons that stuck–especially around pivoting, boundaries, and relationship-based networking. They talk candidly about end-of-year chaos, the pressure to do “all the things,” and what it looks like to build a business that actually fits your energy, life stage, and brain wiring. Listen if you’re heading into a new year wanting more sustainability, better systems, and a networking approach that doesn’t make you want to fake your own death.

Special note: We recorded this episode in December and reference Mary Williams of Sensible Woo’s CEO Winter Rebellion. The challenge has passed by the time we’re publishing the episode, and we recommend you join Mary’s list to join us for the next CEO Summer Rebellion: https://sensiblewoo.com/ceo-summer-rebellion/ 

What You’ll Hear in This Episode: 

• Why Nedra’s “quiet networking” model works (especially for introverts, neurodivergent folks, and anyone who hates forced small talk)
• How Ashlan and Tory are rethinking offers, scope creep, and people-pleasing
• Practical boundary shifts that protect your time, energy, and attention—without tanking client relationships
• A reminder that pivoting isn’t failure…it’s business ownership

Key Takeaways: 

• Networking should match your energy (not drain it). Structured, one-on-one style networking can create real relationships without the “schmooze the room” nightmare.
• Boundaries aren’t mean, they’re how you stay in business. Time-blocking, better scope control, and not over-delivering “just because” keeps your work sustainable.
• People-pleasing shows up as scope creep. Even with a strong contract, it’s easy to start saying yes to extras once you like a client–notice it early and course-correct.
• Pivoting is normal and necessary. The more flexible you are, the more resilient you become, especially when you can’t control the economy, trends, or life seasons.

If you’d like to listen to Nedra’s episode, you can find it at the links below: 

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-market-authentically-stop-forcing-what/id1735641469?i=1000743982343 
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/52G1UZfquhYdMlztHtMxV9?si=DsYYt2cBSJqoQWzX1N4gog 
• YouTube: https://youtu.be/4sgG0PvvEEs?si=K97iVBH2rKZPlzgi 

Host information:

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

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.

Sign up here: https://www.taketheleap-today.com/the-course 

Like our content? Be sure to subscribe and review!

Want to keep in touch?

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In this episode, Tory and Ashlan welcome back Nedra Rezinas, a marketing strategist, coach, and educator with 20+ years of business experience. Nedra shares how her work has evolved beyond marketing into deeper coaching–helping entrepreneurs (especially introverted, highly sensitive, empathy-driven business owners) build confidence, make decisions, and find sustainable ways to grow. Tune in if you’re feeling overwhelmed by “what worked before” not working anymore, and you want a more grounded, values-aligned way to market, network, and pivot without burning out.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why business pivots usually require a compound answer (not one magic fix) and how to experiment without spiraling.
• How to market authentically–without forcing yourself into trends (like constant video content) that don’t fit your personality or strengths.
• Why relationship-based marketing is still the most reliable “growth strategy” when the internet feels like chaos.
• Practical ways to prevent burnout by reducing noise, setting boundaries, and giving your brain space to think.

Key Takeaways:

• Stop forcing yourself into marketing tactics that don’t fit. If video drains you, don’t build your entire strategy around it. Choose channels that align with your strengths (email, YouTube, etc.) and show up consistently in a way that feels real.
• If you’re pivoting, test before you build. Try a “beta” offer with a few trusted people, gather feedback, and refine before you invest big time (or big money).
• Networking shouldn’t feel like a sales ambush. Structured networking (guided prompts + small group conversations) can create deeper relationships, better collaborations, and way less awkward energy.

Guest & Host Information:

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

Connect with Nedra:

• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nrezinas/
• Visit her website: https://www.nedrarezinas.com/

Connect with us:

• On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaketheLeap-Today 
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taketheleap_today 
• Find Ashlan on Instagram & LinkedIn: 
  • https://www.instagram.com/ashbeanpdxmktg 
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashlan-glazier-anderson 
• Find Tory on Instagram & LinkedIn 
  • https://www.instagram.com/imaginemarketingstrategies 
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriaproppe 

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.

Sign up here: https://www.taketheleap-today.com/the-course 

Like our content? Be sure to subscribe and review!

Want to keep in touch?

Find us on:
Youtube
Instagram

Hey listeners, we just wanted to pop in and wish you a happy holiday week. 

We’re taking a much needed break from recording and publishing content this week to spend time with our families. 

We invite you to listen to our past episodes, if you haven’t listened to Seasons 1 & 2, in 2026 we’ll have a number of guests from those seasons returning to be on the mic with us again. 

We’re wishing you a happy and healthy end to 2025 and we can’t wait to see you next week with new episodes landing in your feeds on December 30th. 

And if you’re a new business owner, or just starting out, don’t forget that Take the Leap’s online course is $25/month for 12-months or $250 paid in full. You can start to set yourself and your business up for success in 2026. Rates will go up on January 1st, so don’t miss out on signing up with this lowest price ever! 

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.

Sign up here: https://www.taketheleap-today.com/the-course 

Host information:

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

Connect:

• On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaketheLeap-Today 
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taketheleap_today 
• With Ashlan:
  • https://www.instagram.com/ashbeanpdxmktg 
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashlan-glazier-anderson 
• With Tory:
  • https://www.instagram.com/imaginemarketingstrategies 
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriaproppe 

Like our content? Be sure to subscribe and review!

Want to keep in touch?

Find us on:
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Welcome to the 14th episode of Take the Leap's third season. In today’s episode, “Stop Trying to Beat the Algorithm and Start Building a Strategy,” co-hosts Ashlan and Victoria debrief their conversation with Mady Spry, founder of High Topp Marketing. We dig deeper into what makes social media marketing actually work, especially for bars and restaurants, and why “posting just to post” or “trying to beat the algorithm,” is usually a fast track to burnout and meh results. 

Key Takeaways from the Episode: 

• Restaurant marketing is a different beast. Social media can be a core driver for restaurants because it supports real-time promos (specials, events, and limited time dishes), but results still require strategy. 
• Posting volume isn’t a strategy. The “post 5 times a day / beat the algorithm” advice is often performative and can create a ton of activity with little business impact. 
• Social media should fuel your entire marketing ecosystem. Social is rarely the highest converting channel on its own. The goal is often to move people toward your website, email list, booking a call, or coming in to your bar/restaurant.

If you’d like to listen to Mady Spry's episode, you can find it at the links below: 

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-bartending-burnout-to-building-a-social-media/id1735641469?i=1000741555034 
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4LHzt5gEIaZdddOvkUgRMG?si=WclBfaP3QHCHTt4EK38ZeQ 
• YouTube: https://youtu.be/rV3_O4OjQOs?si=Ho7Ef5lExXXlpxVN 

Host information:

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

Connect:

• On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaketheLeap-Today 
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taketheleap_today 
• With Ashlan:
  • https://www.instagram.com/ashbeanpdxmktg 
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashlan-glazier-anderson 
• With Tory:
  • https://www.instagram.com/imaginemarketingstrategies 
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriaproppe 

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.

Sign up here: https://www.taketheleap-today.com/the-course 

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 13th episode of Take the Leap's third season. In this episode, we’re joined by Mady Spry, professional dancer turned marketing entrepreneur and the founder of High Topp Marketing. Mady shares how burnout during COVID sparked an unexpected pivot from hospitality into social media marketing, how she taught herself (hello, YouTube University), and why entrepreneurship helped her build confidence, income, and boundaries. 

Some of our favorite takeaways from this episode include: 

• Self-taught skills count. From TikTok + YouTube learning to real-world trial and error, Mady built confidence by doing the work and improving along the way. 
• Imposter syndrome is expensive. Early on Mady downplayed her rates and now encourages entrepreneurs to trust their expertise and charge accordingly. 
• Consistency beats random bursts. Dormant accounts and 18 stories a day, then nothing for a wee,k won’t build results. Social media success takes time and repetition. 

Guest & Host Information:

• Guest, Mady Spry, Founder of High Topp Marketing
• Co-Host, Ashlan Glazier-Anderson, Owner of AshbeanPDX Marketing
• Co-Host, Victoria (Tory) Proppe, Owner of Imagine Marketing Strategies

Connect with Mady:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madyspry 
• Website: https://www.hightoppmarketing.com/ 

Guest Bio: Mady Spry is a professional dancer turned marketing expert and entrepreneur with years of experience in the service industry. Originally from Southern California, she earned her degree at UNLV before diving deep into hospitality, food, and beverage. Her passion for branding and business led her to launch High Topp Marketing, where she helps businesses refine their online presence and stand out in a crowded digital space. Even with a thriving marketing career, she still hops behind the bar to pick up shifts, staying connected to the industry she loves. Now based in Portland, Oregon, she thrives on creativity, collaboration, and bringing a touch of humor to every project. When she’s not working, you can find her teaching spin classes, dancing, or spending time with her French Bulldog, Witten.

Connect with us:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaketheLeap-Today 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taketheleap_today 
• Find Ashlan: 
  • https://www.instagram.com/ashbeanpdxmktg 
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashlan-glazier-anderson 
• Find Tory:
  • https://www.instagram.com/imaginemarketingstrategies 
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriaproppe 

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. Sign up: https://www.taketheleap-today.com/the-course 

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 12th episode of Take the Leap's third season. In today’s episode, “Leading with Your Values, Human-Centric Branding, and a Reminder to Rest,” co-hosts Ashlan and Victoria debrief their conversation with Eliana Mendez and pull out the big themes that matter for entrepreneurs: leading with your values, showing up as your whole self, and choosing clients who actually get you. We discuss what it really means to run a values-led business, how authenticity shows up in branding and photography, and why we need to stop pretending we’re “just our business selves” online. 

Key Takeaways from the Episode: 

• Why values matter so much in business and how Eliana’s values-first approach to photography and videography inspired a deeper look at what it means to live your values as an entrepreneur. 
• The importance of showing the whole person, including your interests, quirks, and life outside of work, and how that helps attract the right clients and community. 
• A gentle reminder that no matter when you’re listening to this episode, it might be a time to slow down, rest, and revisit your own values and capacity. 

If you’d like to listen to Eliana Mendez episode, you can find it at the links below: 

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/human-centric-storytelling-with-photographer-and/id1735641469?i=1000740426562 
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4MWp3lD6sRpBQWcF6Od5cW?si=1RycXSLKQ0GQoBSm7Htcnw 
• YouTube: https://youtu.be/IabU-MeLTLg?si=xSaSwdG8dHIDXS31 

Host information:

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

Connect with us:

• On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaketheLeap-Today 
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taketheleap_today 
• Find Ashlan on Instagram & LinkedIn: 
  • https://www.instagram.com/ashbeanpdxmktg 
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashlan-glazier-anderson 
• Find Tory on Instagram & LinkedIn 
  • https://www.instagram.com/imaginemarketingstrategies 
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriaproppe 

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.

Sign up here: https://www.taketheleap-today.com/the-course 

Like our content? Be sure to subscribe and review!

Want to keep in touch?

Find us on:
Youtube
Instagram

Welcome to the 11th episode of Take the Leap's third season. In this episode, we’re joined by Eliana Mendez, the creative force behind Human Centric Media and founder of Ultramarine Photo. Eliana’s work is rooted in authentic storytelling, the kind that honors humanity, emotion, lived experience, and connection. In this powerful conversation, she shares her journey from journalism to marketing to full-time creative entrepreneur, and how aligning her work with her deepest values transformed not only her business, but her life. 

Some of our favorite takeaways from this episode include: 

• Your instincts are an asset – trust them! Creative growth slows when you second guess your own voice. 
• People resonate with work that feels honest, emotional, alive, and authentic. 
• Alignment attracts alignment. When your values are clear, the right clients find you. 
• Good art and photography come from good relationships. When subjects feel safe, respected, and seen, the visuals shine. 

Guest & Host Information:

• Guest, Eliana Mendez, Creative Director at Human Centric Media
• Co-Host, Ashlan Glazier-Anderson, Owner of AshbeanPDX Marketing
• Co-Host, Victoria (Tory) Proppe, Owner of Imagine Marketing Strategies

Connect with Eliana:

• Website: https://www.humancentricmedia.com/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humancentricmedia/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickmendezphotography/ 
• Storytelling Guide: https://www.humancentricmedia.com/free-guide 

Guest Bio: Eliana Mendez

Eliana Mendez (they/them) is a Portland-based human-centric photographer and videographer specializing in authentic visual storytelling for people, brands and organizations who value genuine connection.

Connect with us:

• On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaketheLeap-Today 
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taketheleap_today 
• Find Ashlan on Instagram & LinkedIn: 
  • https://www.instagram.com/ashbeanpdxmktg/ 
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashlan-glazier-anderson/ 
• Find Tory on Instagram & LinkedIn 
  • https://www.instagram.com/imaginemarketingstrategies/ 
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriaproppe/ 

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.

Sign up here: https://www.taketheleap-today.com/the-course 

Like our content? Be sure to subscribe and review!

Want to keep in touch?

Find us on:
Youtube
Instagram

Welcome to the 10th episode of Take the Leap's third season. In today’s episode, “Normalizing Messy Money & Building Systems that Work for You and Your Brain,” co-hosts Ashlan and Victoria debrief their conversation with Aneisha Velasquez, digging deeper into what it means to normalize messy money, simplify your systems, and build a business structure that actually works for how your brain operates. 

We share real-life examples from overlapping subscriptions to accidental tech hoarding to illustrate the sneaky ways business expenses multiply without you noticing. This episode is part money mindset, part systems strategy, and part friendly reminder that it’s okay to be human while running your business. 

Key Takeaways from the Episode: 

• Simplify your tech stack. You don’t need every shiny new app and make sure you’re actually using what you already have. 
• Review your expenses before increasing revenue. More clients often mean more costs, so check where your money’s really going first.
• Your systems should evolve with you. When something stops working, don’t push through. Pause, reflect, and rebuild. 
• Progress over perfection. Your bookkeeping, your processes, and your life don’t need to be flawless to function beautifully. 

Join Tory's Get Your Marketing Sh*t Together experience: https://www.imaginemarketingstrategies.com/getyourmarketingtogether 

If you’d like to listen to Aneisha’s episode, you can find it at the links below: 

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-your-finances-dont-have-to-be-perfect-to-work/id1735641469?i=1000739321712 
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3YR7P7RICXNY08afmpFOFe?si=9UZM2FE3QTi2GBpTUU-yzg 
• YouTube: https://youtu.be/H9m0lNQnOPg?si=ba7Dm0VgD4B30G64 

Host information:

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

Connect with us:

• On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaketheLeap-Today 
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taketheleap_today 
• Find Ashlan on Instagram & LinkedIn: 
  • https://www.instagram.com/ashbeanpdxmktg/
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashlan-glazier-anderson/ 
• Find Tory on Instagram & LinkedIn 
  • https://www.instagram.com/imaginemarketingstrategies/ 
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriaproppe/ 

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.

Sign up here: https://www.taketheleap-today.com/the-course 

Like our content? Be sure to subscribe and review!

Want to keep in touch?

Find us on:
Youtube
Instagram

Welcome to the 9th episode of Take the Leap's third season. In this episode, we’re joined by Aneisha Velasquez, a bookkeeper and clarity guide who helps neurodivergent entrepreneurs pause, process, and find peace with their finances. Together, we discuss neurodivergent-friendly business systems, how to work with your natural rhythms instead of against them, and why it’s okay if your financial life looks a little messy. Aneisha reminds us that money doesn’t have to be scary or perfect to be manageable. 

Some of our favorite takeaways from this episode include: 

• Plan for your procrastination. Build in buffer time instead of fighting your natural workflow. 
• Your money system should fit you – not the other way around. There’s no “right” way to do business finances. 
• Start small. Separate your business bank account and save your documents. Those two steps alone can transform your clarity. 
• Be gentle with yourself. Shame doesn’t balance your books, but curiosity and consistency do. 

Guest & Host Information:

• Guest, Aneisha Velasquez, Founder of Yellow Sky Business Services 
• Co-Host, Ashlan Glazier-Anderson, Owner of AshbeanPDX Marketing
• Co-Host, Victoria (Tory) Proppe, Owner of Imagine Marketing Strategies

Connect with Aneisha:

• Website: https://www.yellowskybusiness.services/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aneisha-v/ 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YellowSkyBusiness.Services 
• Join her email list: https://www.yellowskybusiness.services/email-list 

Guest Bio: Aneisha Velazquez is a bookkeeper and clarity guide who helps neurodivergent business owners pause, process, and find peace with their finances. Having experienced firsthand the pressures different-brained entrepreneurs face in systems not built for them, she brings compassion to money conversations and normalizes the mess — making finances feel less overwhelming and far more manageable.

Connect with us:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaketheLeap-Today 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taketheleap_today 
• Find Ashlan on Instagram & LinkedIn: 
  • https://www.instagram.com/ashbeanpdxmktg/
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashlan-glazier-anderson/ 
• Find Tory on Instagram & LinkedIn 
  • https://www.instagram.com/imaginemarketingstrategies/ 
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriaproppe/ 

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.

Sign up here: https://www.taketheleap-today.com/the-course 

Like our content? Be sure to subscribe and review!

Want to keep in touch?

Find us on:
Youtube
Instagram