By MoneySense Editors on February 27, 2026 Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

“Cash flow is oxygen”: Financial wisdom from SmartSweets founder Tara Bosch

By MoneySense Editors on February 27, 2026 Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Tara Bosch of SmartSweets shares the financial lessons, mindset shifts, and money habits that helped her build and sell a $360M global brand.

Tara Bosch didn’t just build a candy company, she built a global brand with purpose. The founder of SmartSweets challenged the status quo, scaling the business from her kitchen to international shelves, appearing on Dragons’ Den, and then selling it in 2020 for $360 million—all before the age of 30.

In this My MoneySense feature, Bosch opens up about the financial lessons that shaped her journey, from the power of cash flow and strategic debt to the value of investing in herself and trusting her instincts. She shares how her approach to money has been guided by curiosity, intentionality, and long-term thinking, offering practical insights for founders and anyone looking to grow both wealth and impact.

Catch her this week as she returns to the den—this time as a dragon to invest in others.

Who are your money heroes?

I have always been inspired by people who invest with purpose and conviction, especially women who have created entirely new categories. Sara Blakely was a huge early example for me. She did not wait for permission or credentials. She trusted her gut and then invested back in other women to lift those up who came behind her.

The people I respect most think through the lens of a “marathon vs sprint” and measure success in impact as much as returns. That mindset has shaped how I build and how I invest.

How do you like to spend your free time? 

I recharge by moving my body, being in nature, at our pony paradise farm, and being around the people I love. Travel is a big one for me, not just for the experience but because it expands perspective.

I am endlessly curious. I love learning, whether that is through books, podcasts, or meeting founders who think differently than I do. Even my free time usually includes some form of growth.

If money were no object, what would you be doing right now?

Honestly, I don’t think I’d change a thing and I would be doing exactly what I am doing right........

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