Sonja Leason is the Managing Director of Love Mondays, a company dedicated to helping owner-managed businesses scale through online sales and team-building. She specializes in six-figure+ web channels and funnels, working exclusively with businesses that aim to make a positive social impact. Sonja is also the author of the #1 best-selling business book A Woman’s Work, which gained widespread recognition, including a spot on Emirates’ in-flight entertainment system. Beyond her business ventures, she is a sought-after speaker, addressing topics such as business growth, marketing, finding passion and purpose, and overcoming adversity as an entrepreneur.
What sparked your journey as a coach/entrepreneur? Was there a moment, challenge, or person that pushed you to take this path?
I had an awful time in my corporate career, working in advertising for a global corporation. My manager hated me. I was good at my job, I hit all my targets, and she hated me because she didn’t know how to manage me. In 2012, my son got very ill—he became blind and paralyzed from food poisoning. My employer, despite me being the top salesperson, sacked me because it “wasn’t f*****g acceptable to not be available on print date.” My son was having an MRI to see why he had gone blind, and she left that on my voicemail.
I lost everything—my home, my job—and I almost lost my son. Fast forward six months, and my son slowly started going back to school. I did the only thing I knew how to do, which was to get a job. I worked for 12 months, but after my boss was totally inappropriate, I walked out. I had nothing anyway, so I had nothing to lose.
I set up Love Mondays the following day. That was 11 years ago, and I wouldn’t change that decision for the world!
Tell us a bit about what you do! What’s the purpose behind your business, and how does it make a difference in people’s lives?
I work with owner-managed businesses. I help them strategize and scale through online sales and build their teams. We focus on six-figure+ web channels and funnels, and then work with them to build from there.
I do this with businesses that do “business for good.” I knew I could help people, but working 1:1 wasn’t having the impact I wanted. Now that I scale businesses that do good, not only do I help them, but I also help them help more people, who then go on to help even more people—creating a much larger impact!
I have a #1 best-selling business book for women, A Woman’s Work, which knocked Elon Musk off #1 and Simon Sinek off #2 on Amazon. I also speak at various events on business growth, marketing, finding your passion and purpose, as well as overcoming adversity as an entrepreneur.
Thinking back to the start of your career, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced in establishing yourself as a coach/entrepreneur? How did you work through them?
I think my confidence and home life were the two biggest blocks. After my previous employers treated me so badly, I felt I had nothing to offer and that I would be treated poorly again. My son was seriously ill for two years, he didn’t see his dad at all, and as a single mum, my time was stretched so thin that I often burned out. I had no financial support, as my son’s dad never helped us financially either, so it was all on me to pay every bill and attend every one of my son’s appointments.
If someone had told me before this happened that I was going to experience it, I would have said there was no way I could get through it. We never know how strong and resilient we are until we have to be.
Is there a milestone or achievement you’re really proud of that you’d like to share?
Yes, doing my business accelerator in London and writing A Woman’s Work. This time was an absolute game-changer for me. The power of working with an accelerator or doing the right course is exponential—I would never have written the book without it.
Since then, we were asked by Emirates to have A Woman’s Work on their in-flight entertainment system. I have also received numerous messages from people who have read the book, telling me about the amazing things they have done since reading it. One man (yes, it’s A Man’s Work too!) wrote to me to say he is now funding water projects in Indian and African villages after reading the book, as we encouraged people to give back and align with a purpose bigger than themselves.
Women are making big moves in workplaces around the world, leading alongside their male counterparts. What are your thoughts on women in leadership today?
I could write a book on this subject alone! Sadly, about twice a week, I have a man making sexual or inappropriate comments to me, either at work events or online. I have even had to ask a male business partner to send an invoice to a male client because the client was coming on to me, and I didn’t want to email him the invoice in case it encouraged him to get back in touch!
Sexism is still rampant in certain areas of business, and I try my best to stay away from them. Women receive just 2p in every pound of investment, for example. After attending a few funding events, I decided I would never go to another one!
That being said, I also know some incredible men in business, and when we work together, we can do amazing things as a team. I don’t believe the answer is to move toward a women-only business space. We don’t need to replace the patriarchy with a matriarchy. Instead, we need to foster supportive spaces where men and women can come together, recognize that our skills are equal but different, and collaborate to achieve incredible things.
What advice would you give to future women leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs?
Be strong. The only answer is to never give up. That’s it. Success isn’t a magic pill or something you’re born with—it comes from persistence and refusing to quit.
Problem-solve and keep growing.
I would also say that women bear the brunt of everything—from the majority of childcare and housework to managing our careers. It’s important not to lose ourselves in this. It’s very easy to focus on the children or our clients before ourselves. Be mindful of this, as it’s a slippery slope!
