Tara welcomes back Alaina Acosta, owner of Veruca Style, after a lost episode snafu (oops!).

This time, they spin the wheel for a juicy question: “What’s the worst experience that had the greatest impact on your life?” 

Alaina dives into her career shift from jewelry sales to opening her boutique after a soul-crushing job, plus her pivot to online after a flood and COVID chaos. 

Now pursuing a mental health counseling degree, she’s all about resilience and real talk.

Check the show notes for her store link and a listener gift—subscribe, review, and support this fierce small biz mom!

Alaina Acosta — The Gift Sorceress, owner of verucastyle.com

Tara welcomes her inspiring friend Allie Adkins—a wellness warrior, former direct sales leader, and global traveler—to Tara’s Voice.

The wheel spins to “If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?” Allie shares her adventures growing up in South America, studying in Spain, and how a slower pace of life abroad shaped her view of family and freedom.

From siestas to giant tarantulas, this episode is packed with laughter, culture shocks, and a nudge to step out of your comfort zone.

Allie Adkins — Founding Affiliate with Make Wellness

Alyssa is a retired public school teacher and leader who is continuing her leadership by working at various private universities. Her experience teaching at all levels of public schools, providing leadership at districts, state, and universities and depth of experience in curriculum and instruction have served to allow her to support systems development to further the educational experiences of those she works with. One of our proudest accomplishments is being selected by the 2024 graduating class of Strive Prep High School, in Denver, as the faculty member that handed out diplomas to seniors as they crossed the stage at the 2024 commencement.

Amy, Founder of The Dietista nutrition program range and AmyRuthWalker Corporate Freedom Consultancy works with clients to: Create a business and income they love so they can leave the job they don't!
With over 17 years of experience helping people in a health crisis be the boss of their body, Amy saw that many of her client's poor health was directly affected by their stressful careers, a story she knows all too well with an extensive corporate background.
Amy is a global speaker, and writer for The Wellness Universe and has been a guest on OM Times Radio, Seattle, and Coach on Fire Radio, NY and also works with entrepreneurs and influencers to create charities that support people, animals, and the planet.

I’m Carrissa Explains It All, a 41-year-old Gray Hair Nano Influencer who celebrates the beauty of gray hair and encourages others to embrace their natural selves. While gray hair is my main focus, I also share product reviews covering beauty, lifestyle, and anything that piques my interest. Mental health, especially anxiety, is something I’m passionate about, and I use my platform to offer support and personal insights to help others feel understood. I love sharing my travel experiences and offering a glimpse into the places I explore. Through my diverse content, I strive to create a community where authenticity, self-care, and open conversation are celebrated.

Cory Michelle, Dream Life Advisor, best selling author and speaker helping women bring their biggest dreams alive through alignment, intuition and self trust. Cory has created the global program, Identity Makeover where women get to authentically become who they are meant to be.

Jennifer Bassman is a speaker, author, and business coach specializing in stress management and burnout recovery for women. With over 15 years of research experience in stress and burnout, she provides practical solutions for women facing societal expectations, hormonal changes, and overwhelming responsibilities. And, so they don't get upset, Jennifer has four very spoiled, very high maintenance rescue dogs that run her life. 

Jessica is an integrative health coach working in functional medicine, wife, and mother of two boys.

A two-time Mrs. New Jersey and national pageant champion, Karlee Smart is a force in both the modeling and real estate industries. As a top-performing sales agent, she blends expertise with an unstoppable drive for success. But beyond the accolades, she is a devoted wife, a proud mother, and a fierce advocate for military service members and veterans. Karlee uses her voice and platform to empower others, inspire change, and honor those who serve. Whether she’s making headlines, negotiating deals, or standing up for a cause, she leads with confidence, passion, and purpose.

I help coaches, speakers, and female entrepreneurs turn their ideas into income, monetize their messages, and build a brand online without being overwhelmed. I'm a former professor of literature and As a speaker and trainer, I work with educators on increasing engagement and critical thinking in the classroom. I also developed a framework called the HUDSON framework for educators to achieve wholeness in the classroom and within. It’s a self-care program.

Meredith Galto — Friend | Recovering Lawyer | Mom | Tennis Coach | Budding Professional Podcast Guest.

Join Tara for an honest and hilarious conversation with her oldest friend, Meredith Galto—a recovering lawyer, mom, and budding podcast guest. Spinning the wheel lands on the question, “What would you do all over again if you could?” Meredith opens up about her unexpected journey from corporate law to suburban motherhood, her untapped creative dreams, and the realities of menopause no one talks about. With dry humor and heartfelt insights, this episode explores regret, reinvention, and the courage to chase what’s next—plus a wild story of RV fails and a love story decades in the making.

Imagine stepping into a vibrant tapestry of ambition and camaraderie. That's the world Sara Alepin crafts every day through District Bliss. Forget shallow handshakes and vanishing business cards; here, connections blossom into long-term collaborations, fueled by Sara's uncanny ability to see the spark between souls.

District Bliss isn't just a network – it's a launchpad. Entrepreneurs with fire in their bellies (those beyond the "friends and family" stage) find fertile ground to share insights, resources, and unwavering support. Whether it's a roundtable discussion buzzing with ideas or a bespoke workshop igniting new skills, Sara orchestrates the stage for your business to flourish.

Sarah Williams currently lives in Hazlet, NJ with her husband and two young children. She is the Founder & CEO of Moms of Business, LLC. A network of mom entrepreneurs that connect & collaborate on their journeys to success. She hosts several events across NJ each month to help provide platforms for moms to slay everyday, make new friends and more money!

Stephanie Blake is best at helping online business owners run simple, streamlined & profitable businesses in <20 hours/week!

Stephanie Blake Founder & CEO of the Simple Business School™ & Simple Business Suite™

https://www.facebook.com/thestephblake
​https://www.instagram.com/theblakecollective
https://www.youtube.com/@theblakecollective
My podcast: https://simplebizshow.com/
Simple Business School™: http://simplebizschool.com/
Simple Business Suite™: https://simplebizsuite.com/

Suzanne is a licensed clinical social worker who has been seeing clients for psychotherapy since 2005. She is also an anxiety strategy coach (aka anxiety alchemist) a published author, a mom, and a volunteer at a wild mustang horse rescue. Suzanne is also full of useless 80s and 90s nostalgia knowledge of music movies and tv.