Episode Details
Back to EpisodesProfit Isn't a Dirty Word (But It Can't Be the Only Word) with Tara Milburn of Ethical Swag
Description
In this episode of This Mother Means Business, Laura Sinclair sits down with Tara Milburn, founder and CEO of Ethical Swag, a certified B Corp helping brands connect with people through meaningful, sustainable merchandise. What starts as a conversation about promotional products quickly becomes something much bigger: a powerful discussion about values-led leadership, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and building businesses that prioritize people, planet, and profit.
Tara shares the winding path that led her from the sports and entertainment world to government work and eventually to founding Ethical Swag. She opens up about setting boundaries as a new mom long before flexible work was common, the influence of her parents on her values, and why she sees Ethical Swag as more than a company — it is a vehicle for demonstrating that profitable business can be built differently.
In this episode you will hear:
00:00 Meeting Tara Milburn and the Mission Behind Ethical Swag
01:15 How Tara’s Career Path Took Shape
03:33 Starting Out with the Vancouver Canucks
06:20 Why Big Thinkers Change What We Believe Is Possible
07:14 Becoming a Mom and Redefining Work on Her Terms
10:28 Standing Up for Herself in Corporate Spaces
11:55 The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Bid Story
14:15 Moving to Cape Breton and Shifting Priorities
16:21 The Early Origins of Ethical Swag
18:41 Discovering the Real Customer for the Business
23:32 Staying Values-Led When Money Is on the Line
24:09 The Influence of Tara’s Parents on Her Leadership
28:37 What Ethical Swag Is Really Doing Differently
32:43 The Big Vision for Ethical Swag
32:57 Why Tara Believes in the Stakeholder Model
36:57 Where to Find Tara and Her Work
Tara's Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethicalswag/
Website: https://ethicalswag.com/
LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ethical-swag/
Join This Mother Means Business : www.thismothermeansbusiness.com
Laura's Links:
• Website
• Laura's Instagram
• LJSocial Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• TikTok