The Self Made Life Podcast

Your clients aren’t scrolling anymore—they’re searching with AI. In this episode of The Self Made Life Podcast, Ashley Wyatt from Monarch Design Co. breaks down everything you need to know about Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE), AI search, and SEO for small businesses in 2025. In today's episode, I'm sharing: What AI search and Google SGE really are (and why they matter for your busines...

This episode is in loving memory of Chris Deir, who tragically passed away in July 2025. His wisdom, kindness, and soul-centered approach will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him. In this special episode of The Self Made Life Podcast, I sit down with Chris Deir, Jungian Coach and founder of Soul Advocacy Coaching, to explore what it means to live authentically, embrace tra...

Instagram just made a major move into the world of search — and it could transform your visibility. In this episode of The Self Made Life Podcast, Ashley Wyatt breaks down Instagram’s July 2025 SEO update, which now allows your Reels, carousels, and captions to show up directly in Google search results. Ashley explains what this change means for small business owners, how to prepare your content f...

In this solo episode of The Self Made Life Podcast, Ashley Wyatt pulls back the curtain on what life has really looked like behind the scenes. From welcoming baby #2 just months ago, navigating postpartum anxiety and depression, to scaling her design business Monarch Design Co.—this is an honest conversation about the messy middle of entrepreneurship and motherhood. Ashley shares the truth about w...

If you’ve ever struggled to write your own website copy or thought AI could do the heavy lifting for you, this episode is a must-listen! Ashley is joined by expert copywriter Laura from Copy by Laura to break down why strategic, human-crafted copy is a game changer for your business. We chat about: How professional copy impacts conversions & brand perception Why AI-generated copy lacks the nua...

Struggling to keep up with content creation? What if I told you that you don’t need to create MORE content—you just need to repurpose it strategically? In today’s episode, I’m sharing my best-kept secrets for repurposing content across multiple platforms so you can maximize your reach without burning out. Whether you’re posting on Instagram, Pinterest, your blog, email newsletters, or even your po...

In this episode of The Self Made Life Podcast, host Ashley Wyatt sits down with Simcoe County-based brand photographer Brandyn Hollands to discuss his unexpected journey into entrepreneurship. Brandyn shares how he transitioned from retail management to full-time brand photography, the importance of strong visual branding, and why professional brand photos are more than just an expense—they’re an...

Think saving money on DIY branding is smart? Think again. In this episode, we reveal how not investing in professional design is draining your business—resulting in lost clients, wasted time, and missed revenue opportunities. Discover why a strategic brand and website aren’t just extras but essential investments that deliver real ROI. Ready to transform your brand and attract dream clients? Tune i...

Want to know how understanding your Human Design can transform your business? In this episode, multi-passionate entrepreneur Elyse Berendson shares her incredible journey from her first taste of entrepreneurship to now running four successful businesses including coaching, a local market, networking events, and speed dating ventures. Learn the basics of Human Design types, how they affect your wor...

What if your dream clients could find you instantly? Fresh from a game-changing ads summit, brand designer Ashley Wyatt shares why being findable is more important than being the best. Learn the real difference between Google and Meta ads, why boosted posts are burning your budget, and how to actually get ROI from your ad spend. Plus, get exclusive access to a founder's-rate beta program that's he...

Are you tired of staring at your phone, unsure what to post for your business? In this episode, social media strategist Julia Walsh shares exactly how to stop stressing and start connecting authentically on social media. You'll learn why the perfectly curated feed is out, and what's actually working in 2025. Julia breaks down practical strategies for building genuine connections, maintaining consi...

Ever wonder what really happens when a business owner takes maternity leave? Join Ashley as she returns to The Self Made Life podcast after a two-year break filled with major life changes. She shares the raw truth about running her brand design studio while welcoming her son Grayson, managing postpartum anxiety, buying and renovating a house, and preparing for baby #2. Get the real numbers behind...

On this week's episode, I chatted with Megan Turley from The Glow Lounge Indy about all things beauty, skincare and running a beauty service business. Megan shares her story into entrepreneurship, how she got into the beauty industry, growing and scaling her beauty service business from a room out of her house to a physical location and larger space.    Mentioned in the episode: https://beacons.ai...

In today's episode, I'm sharing 6 things you can do to end your year on the right foot so you can make 2023 your best year yet for your business. Freebies & Resources: Download our FREE IG prompt guide and Canva templates!  FREE EBOOK - How to Book out with Dream Clients   Get 50% off HoneyBook Website: Work with us in 2023 www.themonarchdesign.co Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/...

On this week's episode, I sat down with Ashley from Modern Mama Mindset who is a fertility hypnotherapist. In this episode, Ashley shares her journey into entrepreneurship after her struggles with conceiving her son via IVF and her daughter naturally quickly after. I worked with Ashley this year while I was navigating my own fertility struggles and it made a world of a difference.   Mentioned in t...

This past Saturday, December 3rd, 2022, I celebrated 5 years as a full time entrepreneur with my business, Monarch Design Co. In today's episode, I'm sharing 5 lessons I have learned over the past 5 years as an entrepreneur to help you along your journey and grow.    Mentioned in Today's Episode: Book Your Free Strategy Call Episode 003 - Bookkeeping with Jessie Manuel  Episode 030 - Carley Zuerch...

In today's episode, I'm sharing with you my experiences with working with friends and family and why I believe that you avoid it. Mixing personal and professional relationships often adds pressure to either one of them and I hope by listening to this episode I can help you to circumvent that and to create meaningful relationships in every aspect of your life.   Freebies: Download our FREE IG promp...

In today's episode, I'm chatting with a very special guest today, Ariana from Ariana del Mundo Photography! Ariana and I go back a few years now - Her and her husband Alex were our engagement and wedding photographers back in 2018-2019! Since then, we have worked together on styled shoots and branding shoots. Ariana shares her story into entrepreneurship and expanding her offerings and team over t...

In today's episode, I'm chatting with Ruth from Little Mae & Co. Ruth is a mother of 2 and the owner of Little Mae & Co - your one stop baby shop featuring a timeless collection of essentials and accessories created by moms. We chatted about how she started her business after her daughter was born and how she decided to leave her 9-5 finance job. As a product based handmade business, Ruth shares h...

This episode was a highly requested one. After I shared a pretty big life update on Instagram, my DM's were flooded with requests for more info about our fertility journey. In today's episode, I am sharing that journey with you. As vulnerable as it can be, if this episode can help just one person out there struggling to conceive, I've done my job.   Mentioned in the episode: Episode 35 - Margo Dal...

I am BACK for season 5!!! I am so excited for everything to come this season. This season I will be sharing some pretty big life updates with you all, how I am navigating this new season, growing and scaling a business along with some pretty amazing guests to bring value to you and your ears! Stay tuned! New episodes will air every Tuesday!   Website: www.themonarchdesign.co   Follow us on Instagr...

In today's episode, I'm chatting with a very special guest, Jessie Borsellino from Jessie's Edit. Jessie has been our incredible copywriter here at Monarch Design Co for almost a year now. She is the creative genius behind our email newsletter, articulates authentic storytelling for our client's, and writes our social media captions and blog posts. Jessie shares her journey to entrepreneurship, wh...

In today's episode, I'm chatting with Nikki from It's Nikki Creative. If you are a product of service based business owner -- listen up! This episode is for YOU! Nikki is a Social Media Manager who specializes in Pinterest and Pinterest Strategy. She shares her journey to entrepreneurship and provides 3 high level key takeaway tips that will help you to start and grow your Pinterest so that you ca...

On today's episode, I'm talking all things brand and logo design and what makes a good vs. great logo. We dive into what makes a brand unique and memorable, colour psychology, different typography styles and what they mean, different logo variations and how to use them and more!    Download our FREE IG prompt guide and Canva templates!  Download our FREE Colour Psychology Workbook   Website: www.t...

In today's episode, I'm chatting with Krista Olynyk from KJ & Co. Krista and I go back a few years ago from when she was our wedding planner! Since then, we have worked with Krista on wedding stationery with mutual clients, we're a vendor at The Wedwell Showcase and have worked with mutual wedding vendors as the grow and expand their businesses! Krista is a passionate serial entrepreneur and is a...