6 Inspiring Lessons from the Series Lara Unlimited for Ambitious Women

After writing a successful book that was later adapted into the series « The Smart Money Woman », Arese Ugwu, the author and producer, gifts us with another production. After focusing on a group of friends in her previous series, she shifts the spotlight to one of the main characters with Lara Unlimited: Lara.

For me, among the entire friend group, Lara was the most grounded and sensible character. She had the toughest journey, which gave her a level of maturity that set her apart. So I was genuinely thrilled to see a series dedicated to her, a character who is both complex and fascinating.

Here are 6 lessons I took away from Lara Unlimited:

1 – Don’t apologize for being ambitious

Lara never hides her ambition or her desire to go as far as she possibly can. She loves nice things, yes, but even more, she loves earning them herself, so she owes nothing to anyone. Her success is built by her, on her own terms.

2 – The power of negotiation and empathy

At one point in the series, Lara has to negotiate with a so-called “rebel.” She first approaches him with empathy, trying to understand what could shift the situation in her favor. Then she combines diplomacy, sharp negotiation skills, and a bold dose of audacity to secure what she wants — and she does it flawlessly.

3 – Elevating the people you work with

Lara doesn’t hesitate to encourage her assistant to apply for an internal job opening. The assistant doubted herself and had already convinced herself that the new employee, who had stronger internal networks, would get the job, making her application pointless.

But Lara pushed her to try anyway, recommended her to the recruiter, and helped her highlight her strengths and explain why she would be the ideal candidate, even if she didn’t tick all the boxes on paper.

Lara didn’t focus on the fact that she might lose her assistant. She focused on potential, growth, and doing what was right.

4 – Navigating adversity and setting your terms

Like many ambitious women, Lara repeatedly has obstacles thrown her way, including being passed over for a promotion she clearly deserved. She was told she lacked experience and that someone older, with more years in the company and a family to provide for, was more “qualified.”

What made the situation worse was that these arguments came from another woman. Yet when the new hire failed spectacularly, Lara was the one they called to fix the mess.

This moment highlights a widespread pattern in the workplace: the lack of solidarity among women, and the unhealthy competition that often replaces sisterhood.

5 – Using leverage to set your own terms

After fixing the situation, a major plot twist occurs. Despite how hard she fought to get this job, she decides to resign.

When her boss hesitates to let her go, she lays down her conditions, backs them up with concrete results, and gives him time to think about what losing her would mean.

This moment teaches us, especially women, who are often more hesitant to claim what they deserve, that we must not be afraid to negotiate when the opportunity arises. And more importantly: always keep track of your impact (revenue, data, KPIs, etc.) to prove your value.

6 – Leading your love life on your own terms

One common trap for professionally ambitious women, especially in Africa, is settling for less in their romantic lives due to societal pressure.

But Lara sets the tone for her own relationships. The man she becomes involved with had ghosted her before coming back. She gives him a second chance, but on her terms: she decides how the relationship unfolds.

I learned so much from this series, and I find it deeply educational — especially for African women. It shows what it looks like to navigate corporate life as a young, ambitious African woman. Personally, I can’t wait for season 2, which, according to what the author and producer shared online, is already in the works.

How about you? Have you watched « Lara Unlimited »? If so, what takeaways did you get from it?

Xoxo 💋

Ilénia