Become Your Own Boss: Tips for Starting and Growing Your Own Small Business

Have you accidentally hidden the very thing that makes customers choose your business? A family trip to a famous amusement park sparks an unexpected marketing lesson every entrepreneur needs to hear. Monica shares how discovering an award-winning roller coaster that was barely highlighted on a company's website led her to examine a common business mistake: burying the feature that makes a bran...

In this episode, Monica shares the powerful SIMPLE framework that transformed the way she approaches business, family, health, finances, personal growth, and everyday life. Inspired by a presentation from her husband years ago, this practical system became the foundation for how she plans her weeks, sets priorities, and makes decisions with greater purpose. Rather than chasing the impossible idea...

What if true wealth has very little to do with the size of your bank account? In this Boss Up Books episode, Monica shares why Wealth Beyond Money by Ethan King has become one of the most influential books in her personal and professional journey. She explains how a simple six-dimension framework transformed the way she approaches success, helping her focus on growth, relationships, health, financ...

What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't a lack of knowledge—but a lack of action? In this Boss Up Books episode, Monica Allen shares powerful insights from Noah Kagan's Million Dollar Weekend , a book that challenges entrepreneurs to stop waiting for the perfect plan and start testing ideas in the real world. She explores why successful business owners focus on action over perfect...

Have you ever wondered if the key to solving a problem isn’t having the right answer—but asking the right question? In this Boss Up Books episode, Monica Allen revisits Ask for More: 10 Questions to Negotiate Anything by Alexandra Carter. As a law professor and negotiation expert, Carter challenges the traditional view of negotiation by showing how meaningful conversations begin with self-reflecti...

In this episode, Monica reflects on her conversation with Earl Fields, co-owner of Apples Gone Wild, and uncovers powerful lessons for entrepreneurs across industries. From recognizing hidden opportunities to building meaningful relationships, Monica shares why growth often comes from intentional action rather than waiting for success to arrive. She explores the importance of finding customers whe...

In this episode of Become Your Own Boss , Monica sits down with Earl Fields, co-owner of Apples Gone Wild, to discuss how he transitioned from research scientist to business owner by acquiring an existing company and expanding it into a growing regional brand. Earl shares how relationships, strategic thinking, and a willingness to embrace new opportunities helped him step into entrepreneurship in...

In this personal and honest episode, Monica opens up about her decision to take a temporary break from her doctoral program after recognizing the warning signs of burnout. As entrepreneurs, many people wear hustle like a badge of honor, but Monica challenges the belief that constantly pushing harder always leads to success. She shares why strategic pauses, self-awareness, and protecting your peace...

In this episode, Monica Allen shares the unexpected inspiration she gained while researching two powerful business leaders for a doctoral leadership paper: Canva co-founder Melanie Perkins and Ebony Life TV founder Mo Abudu. Their stories challenged the way she thinks about persistence, leadership, partnerships, and the size of the vision entrepreneurs allow themselves to pursue. From investor rej...

Who helped shape the way you think, lead, and dream bigger? In this heartfelt Teacher Appreciation Week episode, Monica Allen reflects on the educators who left lasting impressions on her life and entrepreneurial journey. From teachers who encouraged creativity and confidence to those who taught discipline, resilience, and critical thinking, she shares the moments and lessons that still influence...

Monica Allen welcomes entrepreneur, speaker, and bestselling author Ethan King back to the show to unpack the newest wave of artificial intelligence and what it means for small business owners right now. He explains how AI has moved beyond simple chat tools and into action-taking assistants that can organize data, manage inboxes, draft outreach, and save serious time. Monica also shares her own re...

In this milestone episode, Monica celebrates 300 episodes and her 6th year of podcasting by reflecting on the power of consistency, growth, and personal ownership. She shares what it really takes to build something meaningful over time not through bursts of motivation, but through steady action. Monica opens up about the lessons learned along her journey and challenges listeners to think about whe...

In this episode, Monica shares a powerful reminder that branding isn’t complicated, but it’s about being seen consistently. Inspired by real-life moments from her own business, she shows how simply wearing your brand can spark conversations, build recognition, and create opportunities without a sales pitch. Her experiences reveal that branding isn’t just about logos...it’s about presence, consiste...

In this episode, Monica reflects on powerful insights sparked by her conversation with Dr. Ashley Wood and her own 20+ years in business. She challenges how entrepreneurs view struggle, reminding listeners that growth often looks like uncertainty, discomfort, and real-time learning. From navigating financial ups and downs to building confidence and making decisions before feeling fully ready, she...

In this episode, Monica Allen sits down with Dr. Ashley Wood, a first-year entrepreneur navigating the real, unfiltered journey of building a business alone. From figuring out finances to learning industry language on the fly, Ashley shares what it actually feels like to be the CEO, marketer, and operator all at once. She opens up about mindset struggles, self-worth, and how trusting herself chang...

What if the real reason your business isn’t growing has nothing to do with your product but everything to do with how you manage relationships? In this episode, Monica Allen shares a behind-the-scenes look at a major shift in her business: migrating over 90,000 contacts to a new CRM system and the powerful lessons that come with it. She challenges business owners to rethink how they connect with c...

In this episode, Monica challenges business owners to think beyond short-term reactions and consider the long-term impact of their brand decisions. She shares a powerful perspective on the difference between a boycott and a breakup and why that distinction matters more than many entrepreneurs realize. Through real-world examples and personal experiences, she highlights how quickly customer relatio...

In this thought-provoking episode, Monica challenges entrepreneurs to think strategically about the difference between personal beliefs and business decisions. As the founder who grew her company from $700 to seven figures, Monica knows that building a lasting business requires focus, clarity, and a deep commitment to serving customers. She explores what can happen when companies enter political c...

In this episode, host Monica shares an unexpected lesson from her kids’ music program that applies directly to entrepreneurship. When students only perform once a year, the pressure is overwhelming, but when they perform regularly, confidence grows, and nerves fade. Monica explains how many entrepreneurs unknowingly create the same pressure in their businesses by showing up only occasionally. Thro...

In this episode, Monica challenges entrepreneurs to rethink what success really means. She explains why leadership, not marketing, pricing, or even strategy, is the true foundation of business growth. Drawing on her recent leadership studies and 24 years of experience, she walks listeners through four powerful leadership styles and invites them to conduct a personal leadership audit. Monica shares...

What if the breakthrough you’ve been praying for is sitting in a room you almost didn’t enter? In this episode, Monica shares how a simple birthday celebration turned into a powerful lesson on exposure, community, and growth. What began as a quick vacation became a reminder that proximity matters. When entrepreneurs step into new environments with diverse perspectives, their thinking expands. Thro...

Are you actually tired, or are you just tired of deciding? In this episode, Monica pulls back the curtain on a silent productivity killer that affects every entrepreneur: decision fatigue. From pricing and hiring to content and client emails, business owners become the human decision desk. And by the end of the day? Even choosing dinner feels overwhelming. Monica shares practical strategies she is...

In this inspiring episode, Monica shares a powerful story from her son’s middle school basketball game that mirrors a truth many entrepreneurs overlook: regret hits harder than failure. Through a deeply personal lens, she explores how fear of judgment, not failure, holds us back from our greatest opportunities...in business and in life. Whether you’re sitting on a bold idea, hesitating to launch a...

In this thought-provoking episode, Monica Allen introduces a powerful leadership framework every entrepreneur should know: the Change Equation. Sharing both personal business insights and research-backed wisdom, Monica unpacks how dissatisfaction, motivation, and process must be stronger than resistance, or change stalls completely. Whether you're facing resistance from your team or yourself,...

In this episode of Become Your Own Boss , Monica shares a powerful shift in perspective inspired by her doctoral studies in Organizational Change. From real-life case studies like Mattel to personal experiences within her own business, Monica uncovers what small business owners often overlook about managing change. You’ll learn why change isn’t just a strategy—it’s an emotional journey for you, yo...