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

In this powerful solo episode, Monica reflects on her recent conversation with Dr. Jennifer Myers, pulling out five game-changing takeaways for solopreneurs and small business owners. From the importance of systems, even when you're a team of one, to recognizing when you're chasing goals that no longer fit your vision, this episode is a masterclass in sustainable entrepreneurship. Whether...

In this episode of Become Your Own Boss , Monica sits down with Jennifer Myers, owner of Core Acupuncture Health and Wellness. Jennifer shares how a personal health challenge and a single acupuncture session sparked a total career transformation. More than a decade later, she is running a thriving solo practice while staying true to her values and her vision. Jennifer opens up about the power of c...

In this inspiring New Year episode, Monica shares how choosing one word each year has helped guide her personal and business growth, especially in seasons of transition and discomfort. Reflecting on the lessons of past words and revealing her 2026 word of the year, she invites listeners to consider a simpler, more grounded approach to goal-setting. Whether you're launching a new venture or sca...

In this solo episode, Monica Allen unpacks the real reason success isn't about grand gestures. It’s about consistent, purposeful choices. With stories from her own entrepreneurial path, Monica introduces a three-part framework: awareness, alignment, and intention, with a clear vision as the anchor. These pillars help you design the life and business you truly want. You’ll walk away with practi...

Are your daily habits aligned with the person you want to become? In this episode, Monica challenges you to stop hoping and start intentionally creating the future version of yourself. This isn't just about business. It's about life, health, relationships, and how you spend your time. With the new year around the corner, now is the time to ask if you’re truly building the life you want. Mo...

In this powerful episode, Monica shares a surprising moment at the bank that completely shifted her mindset—and could shift yours too. A frustrating bill turned into a reminder of growth, ownership, and intentional living. If you’ve been weighed down by the pressures of entrepreneurship, this episode is your gentle but firm reminder to zoom out, reframe, and reset. Monica unpacks how a change in p...

In this episode, Monica shares the powerful moment a fellow entrepreneur asked her: What is your chicken sandwich? Inspired by Chick-fil-A’s success in mastering one core product, Monica walks you through why clarity and not complexity is the true key to business growth. From personal missteps to pivotal insights, she unpacks how identifying and focusing on your business’s core offering can transf...

In this heartwarming solo episode, Monica reflects on the power of gratitude not just as a seasonal tradition but as a weekly mindset for entrepreneurs. Fresh off a family moment that sparked a deeper conversation, Monica shares how being grateful for what you already have can reignite momentum in your life and business. Whether you’re chasing your next hire, your next sale, or your next big goal,...

In this episode of Become Your Own Boss , Monica reminds listeners that ideas are not the finish line—they're only the starting point. Through storytelling, real-life business lessons, and a personal look into her own journey, Monica challenges you to ask yourself: are you executing or just imagining? If you've been stuck in planning, waiting for perfect timing, or fearing failure, this ep...

Are you spending your time where it truly counts? In this episode, Monica unpacks a game-changing truth: what you focus on expands. With personal stories from the early days of building her business, she shares how scattered attention once stalled growth, and how intentional focus created massive momentum. Whether you're deep in the weeds or ready to shift gears, this episode is your reminder to s...

Do you ever feel like you're falling behind because of what you see on social media? You're not alone, and you're not behind. In this soul-grounding episode, Monica reminds you of the power in staying on your own mat both literally and metaphorically. Inspired by parenting moments and the slippery slope of online comparison, she gets real about the emotional toll of watching others &qu...

In this episode, Monica pulls back the curtain on what really builds business momentum—genuine relationships and meaningful referrals. She shares her personal experience with formal networking groups like BNI and how intentional one-on-one connections have become a game-changer for her business growth. Whether you’re just starting or looking to grow your customer base, Monica reveals the three ess...

In this episode, Monica challenges listeners to think differently about where they spend their money. Inspired by a doctoral assignment and her own journey as a small business owner, she explores why shopping local isn’t just a feel-good gesture; it’s a powerful economic and community-building choice. With Small Business Saturday and the holiday season fast approaching, this episode is your remind...

In this episode of Become Your Own Boss , Monica flips the script on self-care. Instead of massages and meditation, she’s talking about the financial self-care every entrepreneur needs: retirement planning. Reflecting on a recent conversation with wealth expert John De Goey (Episode 272), Monica shares her own practices and insights on why investing in yourself—beyond your business—isn’t optional....

On this episode of Become Your Own Boss , Monica Allen talks with John DeGoey, a portfolio manager, financial truth-teller, and author of Bullshift and Stand Up to the Financial Services Industry . With 30+ years of experience, John explains why many advisors unknowingly mislead their clients, how hidden fees rob you of long-term gains, and why being passive (with your investments) can actually be...

In this episode, Monica Allen shares her personal journey of hiring, learning, and preparing for the final quarter of the year. With the fourth quarter officially here, it's time to assess your progress, rethink your marketing strategy, and finish strong. Monica gives a behind-the-scenes look at how she's navigating both business growth and academic growth, all while planning a holiday mar...

Episode Quote: Sometimes you just have to take the leap and build your wings on the way down. ~Kobi Yamada In this special throwback episode, Monica Allen shares her origin story of how she went from a small-town girl with big dreams to a multi-business owner generating over a million dollars in revenue annually. If you're new to the Become Your Own Boss podcast, this is the perfect place to s...

In this behind-the-scenes episode, Monica opens her playbook to share the real-time strategies she’s using to grow her small business team—after going three years without hiring, she is jumping back in the saddle. From mindset shifts to practical hiring steps, this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom on what it really takes to bring the right people on board. Whether you’re hiring your first...

In this powerful episode, host Monica welcomes financial expert and Young Money podcast host Tracie Bissett to talk about one of the most stressful aspects of entrepreneurship, cash flow. With real talk and clear advice, this episode uncovers the common money mistakes entrepreneurs make, how to fix them, and why understanding your numbers can literally save your business. Whether you're in your fi...

Sometimes, the losses we face aren’t the end—they’re actually redirection. In this episode of Become Your Own Boss , Monica shares a powerful story about her daughter’s recent run for class president. She gave it her all, worked hard, and still came up short, but just days later, an unexpected win changed everything. This story is more than just about her; it’s about you as an entrepreneur. Busine...

What happens when your message doesn’t match your audience? In this episode, Monica shares a powerful insight sparked by her return to the classroom and how it reminded her of a critical truth every entrepreneur needs to hear. With humor, honesty, and experience from over 20 years in business, she unpacks why how you say something matters just as much as what you’re saying. From academia to email...

In this episode of Become Your Own Boss , Monica shares a message every entrepreneur needs to hear: seasonality is normal . Whether you’re in your first year or your fifteenth, slower seasons are part of the journey, but they don’t have to be scary. Monica opens up about her own experience navigating over two decades of business ups and downs, offering practical, powerful strategies to help you st...

In this episode of Become Your Own Boss , Monica welcomes back business partner and resident AI expert Ethan King to unpack the latest AI breakthroughs that every small business owner should be using right now . From AI agents that can take real actions on your behalf, to study modes that quiz your team (or your kids), to building full-blown apps without writing a line of code—this episode will op...

In this throwback episode, Monica gets real about one of the least glamorous, yet most powerful tools for building a business that lasts: Standard Operating Procedures . Whether you’re a one-person show or leading a team, documenting your processes might be the difference between staying stuck and scaling smart. Monica shares her own journey from handwritten scripts to training software, and how S...

In this episode, Monica reflects on a simple but powerful truth her daughter shared: “Things are so much easier when you learn them.” Through the story of Imana stepping into a challenging new role (literally and figuratively), Monica draws a brilliant parallel to business ownership and personal growth. Whether it's learning to dance, play piano, or build out a promotional product arm of your...