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

Monica Allen

Dive into entrepreneurship with Monica Allen, an entrepreneur with over 23 years of business ownership. This podcast is for you if you desire to start your own business & defy the odds of failure or you are less than 5 years into your business & desire to grow your revenue and profit. Learn from diverse entrepreneurs and experts about marketing, team dynamics, finances, social media, and more. Entrepreneurship might feel isolating at times, but with this podcast by your side, you'll never walk alone. Elevate your business game and master your entrepreneurial life and truly become a BOSS.

  1. MAY 1

    301 - How AI Can Save You Weeks of Work with Ethan King

    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 real-life experiences using AI in business and why the results left her speechless. This episode challenges listeners to think bigger about productivity, leadership, and the future of work. If you’ve wondered whether AI is hype or a real opportunity, this conversation gives you practical insight and a fresh perspective. Episode Quote: The purpose of AI is to amplify human ingenuity, not replace it. ~Satya Nadella Guest: Ethan King Get access to Ethan's new book: https://ethansbook.com/ Need to get your Open Claw set up, check out Youropenclawstrategy.com What you will learn in this episode How to use AI to save time on repetitive business tasksHow to train AI tools like a team member for better resultsHow to organize leads, emails, and data faster than everHow to use AI to increase efficiency without adding staffHow to prepare yourself and your business for the future of workHelpful Entrepreneurial Resources from Become Your Own BossSign Up for the ⁠Level Up Living Newsletter⁠ ⁠KICKSTART YOUR BUSINESS PROGRAM⁠ ⁠⁠Monica's FREE ebook⁠⁠: 11 Essential Secrets for Small Business Success Get your⁠ ⁠Become Your Own Boss Planner⁠⁠ Ways to reach Monica: Instagram: @becomeyourownbosspodcast Email: monica@monicaallen.com

    46 min
  2. APR 24

    300 - How You Build Something Bigger Than Yourself

    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 where they need to grow, what legacy they want to create, and how they can take control of their lives. This episode is both a celebration and a call to action for anyone ready to move forward with purpose. Episode Quote: Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come. ~Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson What you will learn in this episode How to stay consistent when motivation fadesHow to identify areas where you need to level upHow to build a legacy that goes beyond moneyHow to take ownership of your time and decisionsHow to move forward with small, steady stepsHelpful Entrepreneurial Resources from Become Your Own Boss Sign Up for the ⁠Level Up Living Newsletter⁠ ⁠KICKSTART YOUR BUSINESS PROGRAM⁠ ⁠⁠Monica's FREE ebook⁠⁠: 11 Essential Secrets for Small Business Success Get your⁠ ⁠Become Your Own Boss Planner⁠⁠ Ways to reach Monica: Instagram: @becomeyourownbosspodcast Email: monica@monicaallen.com Monica Allen is an entrepreneur, business coach, and host of the Become Your Own Boss podcast, dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners launch, grow, and scale successful businesses. Raised in a small town in Georgia by her single mother, alongside her grandmother and uncle, Monica grew up below the poverty line, but she was determined to rewrite her story. As the first in her immediate family to attend a four-year university, she built a strong foundation in business, spending eight years in the insurance industry as a benefits broker while earning her MBA. In 2005, Monica took a leap into entrepreneurship and never looked back. Today, she is a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Zeus’ Closet, stuff4GREEKS, and Deuce Equity Group, as well as the owner of Monica Allen Interiors. She is also an Amazon bestselling author of The Fearless Entrepreneurs: Fear Less; Be More. Through her work, Monica empowers side hustlers and business owners with practical strategies to avoid common pitfalls and achieve sustainable success. She believes that faith, self-belief, and a strong support system are key drivers of personal and professional growth.

    15 min
  3. APR 10

    298 - Are You Letting Small Things Hold You Back?

    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 shares honest truths that many business owners experience but rarely talk about. This episode encourages entrepreneurs to shift their mindset, stay focused on what truly matters, and keep moving forward...one step at a time. Episode Quote: You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great. ~ Zig Ziglar What you will learn in this episode How to move forward even when you don’t feel ready How to stop overthinking small challenges in your business How to handle financial uncertainty with confidence How to design your business around your life and energy How to strengthen your mindset to grow your business Episode Sponsor -  Zeus' Closet  Use BOSS20 to save 20% on your order Helpful Entrepreneurial Resources from Become Your Own Boss Sign Up for the ⁠Level Up Living Newsletter⁠ ⁠KICKSTART YOUR BUSINESS PROGRAM⁠ ⁠⁠Monica's FREE ebook⁠⁠: 11 Essential Secrets for Small Business Success Get your⁠ ⁠Become Your Own Boss Planner⁠⁠ Ready to stop stumbling over small things and start building something great? Tune in now! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with another entrepreneur on the journey.

    12 min
  4. APR 3

    297 - What Happens When You Bet on Yourself Before You Feel Ready

    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 changed everything. This conversation pulls back the curtain on early entrepreneurship and reminds listeners that success isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about growing through it. Episode Quote: If you don’t build your dream, someone else will hire you to help them build theirs. ~ Dhirubhai Ambani What you will learn in this episode How to build confidence when you’re just starting outHow to navigate the financial uncertainty of entrepreneurshipHow to shift your mindset to support long-term successHow to make decisions without second-guessing yourselfHow to create a business that aligns with your lifestyleDr. Ashlee Wood: E-maildrashleewood@gmail.com Websitedrashleewood.com Episode Sponsor -  ⁠Zeus' Closet ⁠ ⁠Business Packages⁠ Use BOSS20 to save 20% off business packages Helpful Entrepreneurial Resources from Become Your Own Boss Sign Up for the⁠ ⁠Level Up Living Newsletter⁠⁠ ⁠⁠KICKSTART YOUR BUSINESS PROGRAM⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Monica's FREE ebook⁠⁠⁠: 11 Essential Secrets for Small Business Success Get your⁠⁠ ⁠Become Your Own Boss Planner⁠⁠ Ready to step into your next level? Tune in to this episode, subscribe to Become Your Own Boss, and leave a review to help more entrepreneurs like you grow with confidence.

    44 min
  5. MAR 27

    296 - What You’re Missing If You Don’t Have This One System

    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 customers and why consistency matters more than ever. This isn’t about tech. It’s about building lasting relationships that drive real growth. If you’ve been relying on memory, social media, or scattered systems, this conversation will change how you operate. Episode Quote: It is not your customer's job to remember you. It is your obligation and responsibility to make sure they don’t have the chance to forget you. ~Patricia Fripp What you will learn in this episode How to build stronger customer relationships at scaleHow to stay consistent so your audience doesn’t forget youHow to capture and organize leads the right wayHow to follow up effectively without extra effortHow to stop leaving money on the table in your businessHow to create a clear customer journey that convertsEpisode Sponsor -  Zeus' Closet  Business Packages Use BOSS20 to save 20% off business packages Helpful Entrepreneurial Resources from Become Your Own Boss Sign Up for the ⁠Level Up Living Newsletter⁠ ⁠KICKSTART YOUR BUSINESS PROGRAM⁠ ⁠⁠Monica's FREE ebook⁠⁠: 11 Essential Secrets for Small Business Success Get your⁠ ⁠Become Your Own Boss Planner⁠⁠

    16 min
  6. MAR 20

    295 - What Happens When You Lose your Customer’s Trust?

    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 relationships can shift when values feel misaligned or inconsistent. This episode encourages entrepreneurs to focus on authenticity, consistency, and customer trust. It reminds listeners that while taking a stand can be impactful, it also comes with responsibility. Because in business, trust isn’t just built...it must be maintained. Episode Quote: If people believe they share values with a company, they will stay loyal to the brand. Howard Schultz What you will learn in this episode How to recognize the difference between a temporary customer reaction and a permanent loss How to build long-term trust through consistency in your brand values How to evaluate whether your business messaging aligns with your audience How to maintain authenticity when supporting causes or making public statements How to strengthen customer relationships by focusing on service first Helpful Entrepreneurial Resources from Become Your Own Boss Sign Up for the ⁠Level Up Living Newsletter⁠ ⁠KICKSTART YOUR BUSINESS PROGRAM⁠ ⁠⁠Monica's FREE ebook⁠⁠: 11 Essential Secrets for Small Business Success Get your⁠ ⁠Become Your Own Boss Planner⁠⁠

    9 min
  7. MAR 13

    294 - Should Politics be a Part of Your Business?

    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 conversations, how brands can unintentionally divide their customer base, and why long-term businesses must survive across changing political cycles. Rather than telling entrepreneurs what to believe, Monica encourages thoughtful decision-making about what truly serves the mission of your company and the people you serve. Episode Quote: The purpose of a business is to create and keep a customer. ~ Peter Drucker What you will learn in this episode How to separate your personal beliefs from your business strategy How to protect your brand from unnecessary customer division How to focus your business on solving real customer problems How to create a respectful culture for employees and customers How to keep your company aligned with its mission for long-term growth Helpful Entrepreneurial Resources from Become Your Own Boss Sign Up for the ⁠Level Up Living Newsletter⁠ ⁠KICKSTART YOUR BUSINESS PROGRAM⁠ ⁠⁠Monica's FREE ebook⁠⁠: 11 Essential Secrets for Small Business Success Get your⁠ ⁠Become Your Own Boss Planner⁠⁠ Listen to this episode of Become Your Own Boss to hear Monica’s perspective on building a business that serves people well and stands the test of time. If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another entrepreneur who’s building their own path to success.

    14 min
5
out of 5
74 Ratings

About

Dive into entrepreneurship with Monica Allen, an entrepreneur with over 23 years of business ownership. This podcast is for you if you desire to start your own business & defy the odds of failure or you are less than 5 years into your business & desire to grow your revenue and profit. Learn from diverse entrepreneurs and experts about marketing, team dynamics, finances, social media, and more. Entrepreneurship might feel isolating at times, but with this podcast by your side, you'll never walk alone. Elevate your business game and master your entrepreneurial life and truly become a BOSS.

You Might Also Like