This podcast episode chronicles Tara's inspiring entrepreneurial journey from her initial ventures into wall decals to creating SmartSweets, a brand revolutionizing the candy industry with healthy low-sugar alternatives. Her experiences highlight the struggles she faced, including overcoming skepticism, navigating funding challenges, and managing rapid growth, all while staying true to her vision and values. Tara emphasizes the importance of community engagement, mentorship, and resilience in building a successful brand, ultimately leading to her decision to sell a majority stake in SmartSweets to accelerate its growth, while reflecting on the serendipitous nature of entrepreneurship.