We were lucky to catch up with Tanya Hagre recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tanya thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Folks often look at a successful business and imagine it was an overnight success, but from what we’ve seen this is often far from the truth. We’d love to hear your scaling up story – walk us through how you grew over time – what were some of the big things you had to do to grow and what was that scaling up journey like?

I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur, but the path to success was anything but smooth. Early on, I poured everything I had into a franchise business while my husband and I were still working fulltime in our corporate positions as well. I actually really love spending time with my hubby so we were determined to own our time freedom and flexibility. But in the face of the economic downturn, we found ourselves having to walk away from it, having leveraged everything we owned. That experience left us exhausted and I swore we would never own another business again…hahaha.

Within two years. I was trying my hand at an online business in the network marketing space and even launched a coaching business. Each of these ventures gave me new insights, but they ultimately failed to create the financial stability and fulfillment I was chasing. Every 30 to 90 days I was replacing clients if I had done a good job. I wasn’t a social media rockstar and replacing those clients took a lot of networking and resilience. I began to realize a lot of entrepreneurs I thought were “free” were really stuck in a constant game of marketing and starting over at zero each month.

When I finally found an e-commerce model that aligned with my values, I knew what mattered most: low risk, meaningful impact, and, above all, the ability to mentor others on a path that didn’t require huge financial investment. I wanted to be an entrepreneur but I also wanted a recession resistant business model and I wanted to be able to work with others. I’m not a loaner. I found the right mentor and I became very coachable myself. I connected with people looking for financial stability and more control over their time, I saw my work start to resonate on a deeper level. This wasn’t just scaling a business; it was scaling a vision.

Scaling up required patience. I learned to prioritize customer retention and offer products that meet daily, essential needs, even in tough times. Prior, I was in industries that were following trends. Now, as I help others build income security and life harmony through this model, it’s incredible to see the ripple effect. It’s proof that real success isn’t overnight; it’s earned through resilience, adaptability, and never losing sight of the bigger picture.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Tanya, and my journey into entrepreneurship was a blend of ambition, resilience, and a relentless drive to create a life on our own terms. After years in healthcare and public health, my husband and I were both working full-time corporate jobs while investing heavily into regular retirement plans like Roth IRAs, rental properties and a brick-and-mortar franchise. The goal was always to gain time freedom and flexibility, and, most importantly, to spend more time together. We soon found ourselves walking away from that business, losing everything we’d invested due to cash flow issues during the economic downturn between 2008 and 2010. It was heartbreaking, and it left us exhausted. At that time, I swore I’d never own another business again!

However, I often laugh that I feel like I have entrepreneurial blood and unfortunately I’m stuck with it. By 2013, I was back in the game fulltime and left my corporate career after 10 years and hitting and income ceiling. I tried my hand at a couple of online businesses and even a coaching business, but I found myself in the relentless cycle of chasing new clients and constantly marketing myself on social media. That process taught me a critical insight: many entrepreneurs I looked up to as “free” were stuck rebuilding their income every single month. I realized that while I loved the work, I wanted a business model that offered stability and a sense of purpose beyond the daily hustle.

When I found an e-commerce model that aligned with my values, I could finally channel everything I’d learned into a sustainable and scalable business. I work with a company that provides over 450 toxin-free, USA-made daily essential products, designed to meet real needs without the risks associated with trends or high overhead. What sets my work apart is our focus on low-tox living and home-delivered convenience, all at a cost that makes sense in today’s inflationary times. It’s incredibly rewarding to help others create income security and harmony in their lives with products they use every day. The business model and support is in place so I can focus on leadership development and mentoring others.

One of my greatest strengths — and something I’m most proud of — is my passion for mentoring. I’ve helped numerous people build six-figure incomes through my guidance and systems, all without requiring a significant financial investment upfront. I’m not a lone wolf; I love working alongside people, helping them discover new income possibilities while maintaining control over their time. With my business, I help my clients and partners find the stability that isn’t often found in traditional or highly speculative business models.

Ultimately, my brand stands for income security and life harmony. I believe that the path to genuine freedom isn’t through chasing every opportunity but rather by building on a solid foundation that works for you and your family.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

I love building a business in the Ecommerce space. It is a $25 Trillion dollar industry and the growth rate is up for the foreseeable future. I also think it is the right place to be as more and more people want remote work. They got a taste of working from home and flexibility and many don’t want to give that up. The key for me was finding the right manufacturer and company to partner with. I no longer worry about distribution and I have the support I need for customer service. I focus on relationship building, marketing and leadership to find people I can serve and help.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building my audience on social media has been a journey of authenticity and consistency. I believe a strong personal brand is the foundation of any successful social media presence, and that has held true for me across several different businesses. Over the years, while my business ventures may have shifted, my personal brand has remained steady — rooted in my core vision and values. I’ve always shown up as myself on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, sharing my journey, my insights, and what I genuinely stand for.

In the beginning, my focus was on building trust and connection, not just gaining followers. I shared my wins, my challenges, and my real-life experiences with entrepreneurship. When I finally found the right business model, that consistency and transparency meant my audience trusted me and was open to following me on this new path. I was able to transition smoothly because I had laid a foundation based on who I am, not just what I sell.

For anyone just starting to build their social media presence, I would say this: prioritize authenticity and patience. Don’t try to fit into a mold or chase trends at the expense of your identity. Share the values that guide you, the journey you’re on, and the lessons you’re learning along the way. A strong personal brand isn’t built overnight, but by showing up consistently, you can create an enduring foundation. That personal brand is what will allow you to pivot, grow, and ultimately find the right way to monetize your skills and passions.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tanyahagre.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanyahagre/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tanya.hagre
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyahagre/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tanyahagre_calmhustle

Image Credits

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