When chaos hits close to home, it changes how you lead. Tara Rolstad never planned to become a speaker, author, or mental health advocate. But after her family’s journey through trauma, parenting, and survival, she found purpose in helping others tell the truth about their struggles. From Toastmasters to the National Speakers Association, Tara built a business around vulnerability and turned her story into a message that saves lives. In this conversation, she and Jennifer Sutton talk about what it really takes to run a business with heart. They explore burnout, focus, and the power of community. Tara’s story is raw, hopeful, and full of lessons for any founder trying to make impact without losing themselves along the way. Here are three takeaways every entrepreneur can use right now
Key Takeaways:
1️⃣ Truth Beats Perfection Every Time
Tara reminds us that hiding the hard parts only isolates us. The same goes for business. When you lead with honesty about burnout, limits, or lessons, you invite others to do the same. Real connection always outperforms polished perception.
2️⃣ Focus Is a Founder’s Lifeline
As a speaker and mental health advocate, Tara admits creativity can be both a gift and a distraction. Founders who chase every shiny idea lose momentum fast. The antidote is focus with clear goals, firm boundaries, and the courage to say no. Structure does not kill creativity. It sustains it.
3️⃣ Build Communities, Not Just Companies
Tara’s journey proves success scales through community. Whether supporting parents or building healthier workplaces, she shows that no one thrives alone. Surround yourself with mentors and truth tellers who push you to grow. Support is not weakness. It is strategy.
Timestamps
00:00 – Intro and welcome
01:10 – Tara’s path to speaking and entrepreneurship
03:20 – Managing chaos at home and work
06:30 – Turning struggle into purpose
09:40 – Building mentally healthy workplaces
12:40 – The business of professional speaking
14:30 – Using comedy to heal and connect
16:40 – Writing her book and finding the gap
18:50 – Balancing creativity and focus
20:40 – Protecting your energy and mental health
22:30 – Building community through NAMI
25:00 – The power of coaching and accountability
27:20 – Getting her book into the right hands
29:20 – Fighting distractions and finding focus
31:00 – Hope as a founder’s fuel
33:00 – Finding joy in everyday chaos
35:20 – Final thoughts and how to connect
Get real with Tara and explore her work, book, and resources through the links below.
Website: https://tararolstad.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-rolstad/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tararolstad/