Welcome to the 35th episode of Take the Leap's second season. In this episode, "Burn It Down to Build It Better: Rejecting Toxic Productivity & Decolonizing Business with Marina Martinez-Bateman" our guest shares tips for anyone feeling stuck in hustle culture, questioning how to build equity into their work, or wondering whether they can start over again. Marina proves that business can be ethical, joyful, and liberating—if we let it.

Some of our favorite takeaways include: 

• Value isn't in the hours worked, but in the wisdom, perception, and solutions you bring.
• You are your greatest asset. Prioritize rest, alignment, and your health to protect the true value you offer.
• Decolonize your mind. Marina urges entrepreneurs, especially those from marginalized communities, to unlearn monoculture norms and reclaim their power.

Guest & Host Information:

• Guest, Marina Martinez-Bateman, Founder of New Coyote Consulting
• Co-Host, Ashlan Glazier-Anderson, Owner of AshbeanPDX Marketing
• Co-Host, Victoria (Tory) Proppe, Owner of Imagine Marketing Strategies

Connect with Marina:

• On Instagram @marinaisgo
• New Coyote on Instagram @newcoyotecomms
• On LinkedIn
• New Coyote on LinkedIn
• On Bluesky @marinaisgo 

Guest Bio: Marina Martinez-Bateman

Marina (they/them) is the founder of New Coyote Consulting, an equity and communications consulting firm in Portland, Oregon. New Coyote is born of many years’ experience applying equity and human-centered systems to communications strategy. They built it to be a new kind of company, a place that puts human beings over performative capitalist expectations that only waste time, lead to burn out, and don’t make any money for ordinary businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Marina is a serial entrepreneur and a grassroots communicator with more than 20 years’ experience motivating people to take action on behalf of political, cultural, and commercial interests. Their ongoing equity and workers’ rights practice has made them a popular speaker, trainer, and peer mentor in the industry.

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. 

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Welcome to the 33rd episode of Take the Leap's second season. In this episode, "Follow Curiosity, Not Trends" co-hosts Ashlan Glazier-Anderson and Victoria Proppe reflect on how platforms and algorithms constantly change, so success lies in staying curious about your audience, your brand, and your mission, among other reflections from our conversation with Megan Eckman. Listen to the episode with Megan Eckman that we reference on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch on YouTube.

Key Takeaways from the Episode: 

• Trends are fleeting, but curiosity builds sustainable, long-term strategy and authentic connection with customers.
• Leaning on trends can dilute your unique voice and make your brand blend into the crowd, or become replaceable. 
• Make space for fun and joy–it improves your work, creativity, and productivity. 

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 32nd episode of Take the Leap's second season. In this episode, "Start Small, Think Big: Why CRMs Are Built for Your Bad Days with Aman Thakral" our guest shares perspectives on entrepreneurship being less about chasing perfection and more about evolving with the process, staying aligned with your values, and never being afraid to try things your way.

Some of our favorite takeaways include: 

• Success isn’t about money: Aman emphasizes that enjoying the journey and having impact outweigh financial gain.
• Aman believes we should be taught how to accept “no” just as much as we chase “yes.” In sales and life, identifying a “no” early allows you to move on efficiently, freeing up time and energy for better-fit opportunities.
• CRMs aren’t just for big businesses—they’re a discipline that every entrepreneur should adopt from day one.

Guest & Host Information:

• Guest, Aman Thakral, Business Head at Target Integration
• Co-Host, Ashlan Glazier-Anderson, Owner of AshbeanPDX Marketing
• Co-Host, Victoria (Tory) Proppe, Owner of Imagine Marketing Strategies

Connect with Aman:

• On LinkedIn 
• On X @TargetInt
• On YouTube
• Visit the Target Integration website

Guest Bio: Aman Thakral

Aman Thakral, Business Head at Target Integration, a leading CRM and ERP consulting firm dedicated to helping businesses find and implement the right software solutions tailored to their unique needs. With over 16 years of experience, he’s partnered with some of the most renowned CRM and ERP platforms, including Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, Monday.com, Odoo, Microsoft Dynamics, and more.

If you are a business owner or decision-maker looking for a CRM or ERP that perfectly fits your business needs, reach out to connect! Aman is happy to discuss how they can help transform your business with the right technology.

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 31st episode of Take the Leap's second season. In this episode, "It's Never Too Late to Leap: Redefining Success After Retirement with Vicki Semanie" our guest shares a powerful reminder that success in entrepreneurship is a journey, not a sprint, and that leaning into purpose, patience, and presence creates the most meaningful impact.

Some of our favorite takeaways include: 

• One of Vicki’s biggest lessons: Entrepreneurship takes time. Comparing it to an ivy plant: Year 1 it sleeps, Year 2 it creeps, Year 3 it leaps.
• Her philosophy: “You can only succeed if you fail first. It’s what you do with the failure that determines your future success.”
• Advice for new entrepreneurs: Have a financial nest egg. Be ready for unexpected pivots and delays in revenue. Focus on long-term relationships and impact, not instant results.

Guest & Host Information:

• Guest, Vicki Semanie, Master Certified Professional Coach at Seven Stones Life Coaching
• Co-Host, Ashlan Glazier-Anderson, Owner of AshbeanPDX Marketing
• Co-Host, Victoria (Tory) Proppe, Owner of Imagine Marketing Strategies

Connect with Vicki:

• On Facebook
• On LinkedIn
• Visit Seven Stones Life Coaching website

Guest Bio: Vicki Semanie

Vicki founded Seven Stones after a long career as a finance and operations professional. As a Master Certified Professional Coach, Vicki assists others in achieving life and business goals that they never thought possible. 

She built an exceptional career and meaningful life because of her ability to pragmatically achieve her goals regardless of obstacles. As a business coach, Vicki assists her clients by providing clarity on the path forward. She works with the business owners to think through what the next steps of the business should be and by helping them develop leadership, communication, and sales skills. 

Vicki recently expanded Seven Stones by providing business consulting services through strategic business partnership arrangements. Her primary client is a business owner or CEO of a company with up to 50 or so employees. With this service, she provides strategy, operations, and financial consulting services over 12 months with intensive individual and group sessions and 1:1 coaching. 

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 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!

Want to keep in touch?

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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?

Find us on:
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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:
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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