Tara Mogan is an award-winning entrepreneur and marketing strategist with a passion for building brands and driving business growth. With over two decades of experience, she has established herself as a direct-to-consumer marketing expert since 2002. Over the past 15 years, she has led high-impact initiatives in the home services sector, helping companies of all sizes scale through innovative strategies.
Tara Mogan | Founder of iMarketeur and co-owner of e-Beach Wagon
As the co-owner of e-Beach Wagon and the founder of iMarketeur, she is dedicated to creating impactful marketing solutions, enhancing customer engagement, and driving lasting success. At EliteX, we are proud to have Tara Mogan as part of the edition: 10 Elite Women in Business, 2025.
Her journey in business began with a passion for creativity and a natural ability to lead. Holding a degree in visual communications, she initially started as a commercial photographer but soon stood out for her problem-solving skills and leadership abilities. She has always treated every company she has worked for as her own, making it inevitable that she would build her own business. Known for her direct, bold, and unapologetically driven personality, she has used her fearless mindset and strategic expertise to scale brands and achieve long-term growth.
“She has always treated every company she has worked for as her own, making it inevitable that she would build her own business.”
One of the biggest challenges she faced early in her career was entering the workforce with only an associate’s degree. Although eager to start working and support herself, she had initially planned to return to college later. However, she quickly proved that experience, work ethic, and results could open just as many doors as a traditional four-year degree. Despite her success, some companies overlooked her resume simply due to her academic background. One former owner even took jabs at her for it. Having been privately schooled through seventh grade, she never believed intelligence was defined by a degree or a singular path. While she fully supports education, she also believes that opportunities exist for those willing to put in the work, regardless of the route they take. As her career progressed, the challenge shifted to finding her voice and advocating for herself in the heavily male-dominated home services industry. Over time, she learned to push past outdated perceptions, speak confidently, and ensure that her expertise and contributions were recognized. Advocating for herself in leadership, compensation, and workplace culture became a turning point in shaping her career.
For her, leadership serves as the compass that guides an organization by setting direction, pushing boundaries, and driving continuous evolution. True leaders remain innovative, open-minded, and relentlessly curious about how to improve. Leadership is not just about delegation—it requires staying engaged, being willing to get hands-on, and truly understanding the business. She believes that too often, great leaders reach a certain point and stop leading, becoming disconnected from the core of their organization. While she supports working on the business rather than in it, she recognizes that sometimes the only way to gain real insight is to step in and evaluate firsthand.
“True leaders remain innovative, open-minded, and relentlessly curious about how to improve.”
A defining moment in her career was leaving a position where she was thriving professionally but stuck in a toxic environment under poor leadership. The experience was similar to an abusive relationship—despite loving the job and the company, her ideas were dismissed, and the culture was stifling. Moving on was a difficult decision, but it was the best one she could have made. Entering an inclusive environment where her opinions mattered and her ideas were supported allowed her to realize her full potential. It was then that she truly saw what she was capable of achieving and, just as importantly, what she would never tolerate again.
Success in today’s business world requires adaptability, continuous learning, and a deep understanding of the evolving digital landscape. With technology and AI reshaping industries, businesses must embrace these advancements to stay relevant. Meeting customers where they are—through phone, text, email, or chat—is critical. Businesses that prioritize customer convenience and engagement will always have a competitive edge. Success is not about making things easier for the business; it is about making things effortless and seamless for the consumer. Companies that emphasize accessibility, trust, and a strong reputation will stand out in the crowded market.
“Businesses that prioritize customer convenience and engagement will always have a competitive edge.”
The direct-to-consumer industry has evolved significantly, with consumers preferring texting over calls and email becoming increasingly cluttered. Authenticity, a strong social presence, and meaningful engagement are more important than ever. Social media has amplified consumer voices, making transparency and responsiveness essential. The marketing landscape has shifted from traditional media personalities to viral content and digital creators. AI is transforming businesses by streamlining operations and enhancing customer experiences. She has adapted to these changes by continuously learning, asking the right questions, and strategically integrating new innovations to drive growth.
Over the next five years, she anticipates continued growth in influencer marketing, with brands leaning towards micro and nano-influencers for stronger engagement. Social media advertising will become even more targeted, making it easier to reach the right audience with minimal wasted spending. Podcasts will gain more traction, pulling audiences from traditional radio. Broadcast advertising will shift further toward streaming, making it more affordable to reach ideal customers. Video content, particularly short-form and AI-generated videos, will dominate social and display ads. AI will continue advancing in call centers, guiding agents in real time and eventually handling entire conversations, follow-ups, and scheduling. AI-driven automation in marketing and customer service will lead to greater efficiency and personalization.
To stay ahead in a competitive business environment, she believes in constant movement—always marketing, always improving, and always thinking ahead. A successful team leans forward, prioritizing customer needs and refusing to become complacent. Rather than focusing only on what is already working, businesses should identify gaps and refine processes. Observing competitors should not be about imitation but about finding ways to do things better. Continuous learning through industry research, mentorship, and networking is key to staying ahead. The businesses that succeed are the ones that evolve, adapt, and push forward rather than staying comfortable.
“To stay ahead in a competitive business environment, she believes in constant movement—always marketing, always improving, and always thinking ahead.”
For young women aspiring to follow a similar path, her advice is to put in the work and prove themselves first. Going above and beyond without waiting to be asked is essential. Treating the business as if it were one’s own is key to truly investing in its growth. Staying curious, networking, building relationships, and attending industry events are crucial steps in expanding opportunities. Just as importantly, she advises against settling for toxic environments. If a leader is not advocating for an employee’s growth, it is essential to find someone who will. Success requires both hard work and aligning with the right people, companies, and opportunities.
“If a leader is not advocating for an employee’s growth, it is essential to find someone who will.”
Women in business can create a greater impact by supporting and uplifting each other. Success is not a competition, and there is no need for rivalry. Transparency, knowledge-sharing, and empathy go a long way in fostering a collaborative environment. Understanding each other’s challenges and offering support instead of judgment strengthens the business landscape for future generations. When women work together rather than compete, they elevate the entire industry.
In her early 20s, her greatest inspiration was making her family proud and creating opportunities they never had. Growing up in a blue-collar family, she witnessed her parents’ sacrifices to provide the best education and opportunities possible. However, she also faced personal struggles. Married at 21 in pursuit of the American dream, she found herself in a toxic relationship where leaving was met with suicidal threats. For years, she felt trapped. At 30, she finally found the strength to choose herself, leave, and build a life on her own terms. That decision transformed her life and career. Prioritizing her happiness and growth opened doors she had never imagined. She learned that true inspiration comes from within—the courage to break free, trust oneself, and pursue what truly fulfills one’s purpose.
Before having children, she was a workaholic, thriving on long hours and high expectations. After becoming a mother, she recognized the need for balance. Transitioning to consulting allowed her to work on her own terms. Initially, she took on too much, onboarding six clients in two months and burning out. That experience taught her to be highly selective, working only with clients who align with her leadership style and vision for success. While she remains ambitious, she now prioritizes quality over quantity, delivering exceptional results while maintaining balance in her personal life.
Professionally, she has achieved great success, but her greatest achievement is her two children. Being a mother, guiding, educating, and fostering their growth is the most fulfilling role she has ever taken on. While raising two strong-willed toddlers is challenging, she embraces the journey and appreciates the flexibility her business provides in balancing both career and family.
The legacy she hopes to leave for the next generation of women in business is one of fearlessness. Sharing knowledge, empowering others, and lifting those around her are values she champions. Growth and success require pushing boundaries, taking risks, and constantly striving for more. Owning mistakes, maintaining integrity, and staying above unnecessary drama are critical to long-term success. Aligning with the right leaders and mentors fosters personal and professional growth. By supporting, mentoring, and championing one another, women in business can continue to break barriers and thrive together.
“Growth and success require pushing boundaries, taking risks, and constantly striving for more.”
