Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Megan Tobler. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Megan , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I never expected to find my purpose the way I did. If you had told me years ago that getting laid off while pregnant would be the push I needed to create something bigger than myself, I would have laughed (or maybe cried). But sometimes, the moments that shake us the most are the ones that set us free.
I spent years climbing the corporate ladder, doing everything “right.” I worked hard, hit my sales goals, and built a career I thought was secure. And then, in an instant, it was gone. One day, I was preparing for maternity leave, and the next, I was facing the reality of unemployment—while growing a tiny human inside me. Talk about a plot twist.
At first, I panicked. How could I contribute financially? What would my future look like now? But in that uncertainty, something shifted. For the first time, I allowed myself to ask: What do I actually want? Not just what I’d been conditioned to chase, but what truly lit me up.
The answer didn’t come overnight, but I knew one thing—I wasn’t the only woman who had felt this way. I started a podcast, not as a business but as a way to have real conversations with other women who had taken control of their own lives. I wanted to know: How did they do it? What did they wish they had known? Could I do it too?
One interview led to another, and before I knew it, I wasn’t just telling other people’s stories—I was writing my own. Self StartHER was born, not as a perfectly planned business, but as a passion project that grew into something so much more. I found my purpose in helping women take action, believe in themselves, and create a life that actually feels good—not just one that looks good on paper.
Looking back, I realize that getting laid off was the best thing that ever happened to me. It forced me to stop playing it safe and start building something on my terms. And now? I get to help other women do the same.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m the founder of Self StartHER, a podcast and community for women who are ready to take action and create a life that actually excites them by building a business of their own.
What I love most about what I do is helping women realize they can bet on themselves. So many of us have been conditioned to play it safe, to follow the traditional path, and to wait for permission. But I believe the only “safe” bet is the one you make on yourself. Through my podcast and community, I get to share real stories from women who’ve done just that—who’ve taken the leap, figured it out along the way, and built something incredible.
Right now, I’m focused on growing Self StartHER’s “TogetHER” community—a space designed specifically for women building a business while also juggling life at home. I know what it’s like to have big dreams while also navigating nap times, school pickups, and the never-ending to-do list. It’s easy to put yourself and your passion on the back burner, but I truly believe that building something for you—something that lights you up—makes you an even better mom. Our community is all about finding that balance, taking imperfect action, and creating success on your own terms.
I know how lonely both entrepreneurship and motherhood can be and my hope is that you feel a bit less alone in your journey when you link arms and build with us, togetHER.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, three qualities that had the biggest impact on my journey were resilience, curiosity, and my ability to be scrappy.
Resilience came from my sales days, where rejection was just part of the job. I learned early on that hearing “no” didn’t mean stop—it meant adjust, refine, and try again. That mindset became everything when I started my own thing. Entrepreneurship is full of uncertainty, but resilience helps you keep going, even when things don’t unfold the way you planned. My advice? Get comfortable with setbacks. Instead of seeing them as failures, see them as feedback. Every “no” gets you closer to the right “yes.”
Curiosity is what led me here in the first place. When I was laid off, I didn’t have a grand plan—I just started asking questions. What do I actually want? What would it look like to build something on my own terms? How have other women done it? That curiosity led me to start my podcast, have conversations with inspiring women, and ultimately build a business I love. If you’re early in your journey, lean into curiosity. Talk to people who’ve done what you want to do, try new things, and don’t be afraid to not have all the answers yet.
And then there’s being scrappy—which, let’s be real, is basically a superpower for entrepreneurs. I didn’t have a big budget or a team when I started. I figured things out as I went, leveraged free tools, built relationships, and made things work with what I had. The ability to start before you’re ready and make things happen with limited resources is so underrated. My advice? Stop waiting for perfect conditions. Use what’s available to you, get creative, and remember—done is always better than perfect.
If you have resilience, curiosity, and a scrappy mindset, you can figure out almost anything. And when you trust yourself to figure things out, there’s nothing you can’t build.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I believe in collaboration over competition and in the power of women supporting women. There’s so much magic in coming together, sharing our expertise, and lifting each other up instead of trying to do it all alone.
I’m looking to collaborate with fellow female entrepreneurs who are experts in a variety of areas that can add value to moms building businesses. Whether it’s marketing, mindset, time management, finances, or anything else that helps make the journey of entrepreneurship smoother, I love connecting with women who are passionate about what they do and eager to share their knowledge.
More than just expertise, I’m looking for women who align with the Self StartHER mission—women who believe in taking action, figuring things out as they go, and cheering on other women along the way. If you’re all about empowering moms to build businesses while also living a life they love, then we should definitely connect!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.selfstarther.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selfstart.her/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megantobler/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
