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 transform everything from marketing to customer loyalty and long-term scalability. If you’ve been feeling pulled in too many directions, this episode is your permission to simplify and amplify what you do best.

Episode Quote: Success is about doing the right thing, not about doing everything right. ~Gary Keller

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to identify your business's “chicken sandwich”

• How to stay focused on what your business does best

• How to avoid distractions that water down your excellence

• How to use clarity to improve marketing and operations

• How to scale intentionally around your core competency

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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, this episode offers a grounding reminder: progress is happening, even if it doesn’t always feel fast or flashy.

Monica offers you three simple yet impactful ways to incorporate an “attitude of gratitude” into your business routine, because acknowledging small wins may unlock bigger ones.

Episode Quote:

Gratitude turns what we have into enough. ~ Melody Beatty

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to build a weekly gratitude habit that fuels your business

• How to celebrate wins with your team to strengthen connection

• How to share your story online in a way that feels authentic

• How to shift from scarcity-thinking to abundance-awareness

• How to recognize progress even when it feels slow

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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 episode is your wake-up call. Execution may not be glamorous, but it’s where growth begins.

Episode Quote: Ideas are easy. Execution is everything. ~John Doerr

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to stop overthinking and start acting

• How to overcome fear and use it as fuel

• How to stop waiting for the “perfect” time

• How to take the first small but meaningful step

• How to build momentum even without all the answers

• How to use accountability and community to stay on track

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Ways to reach Monica:

• Instagram: @becomeyourownbosspodcast

• Email: [email protected]

Who is Monica?

Monica Allen grew up in a small town in Georgia with her single mom, who had her at age 18, her grandmother, and her uncle. Living below the poverty line for all of her young life, Monica was determined to break the cycle. As the first in her immediate family to attend a 4-year university, Monica worked in the field of insurance as a benefits broker for eight years and earned her Master of Business Administration.

Leaving to embark on her entrepreneurial journey in 2005, she is now a serial entrepreneur, owning several businesses. She is the co-founder of Zeus' Closet, stuff4GREEKS, and Deuce Equity Group.  She is the sole proprietor of Monica Allen Interiors and an Amazon Bestseller (The Fearless Entrepreneurs: Fear Less; Be More).

She loves equipping aspiring entrepreneurs, side hustlers, and small business owners with tips to launch, grow, and scale their business while avoiding the many pitfalls of entrepreneurship. She believes that being surrounded by positive people, believing in yourself, and having faith in God have led to her success.

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 slow down, get clear, and focus on what actually moves the needle. Perfect for entrepreneurs feeling stretched thin or stuck in the day-to-day.

Episode Quote: Energy flows where attention goes. ~ Tony Robbins

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What you will learn in this episode:

• How to identify the one area of your business that needs your attention

• How to audit your current focus and reclaim your time

• How to delegate and clear space for strategic thinking

• How to set measurable, actionable goals that align with your vision

• How to revisit and realign your strategy regularly for sustainable growth

  
  

Monica Allen grew up in a small town in Georgia with her single mom, who had her at age 18, her grandmother, and her uncle. Living below the poverty line for all of her young life, Monica was determined to break the cycle. As the first in her immediate family to attend a 4-year university, Monica worked in the field of insurance as a benefits broker for eight years and earned her Master of Business Administration.

Leaving to embark on her entrepreneurial journey in 2005, she is now a serial entrepreneur, owning several businesses. She is co-founder of Zeus' Closet, stuff4GREEKS and Deuce Equity Group.  She is the sole proprietor of Monica Allen Interiors and an Amazon Bestseller (The Fearless Entrepreneurs: Fear Less; Be More).

She loves equipping aspiring entrepreneurs, side hustlers, and small business owners with tips to launch, grow, and scale their business while avoiding the many pitfalls of entrepreneurship. She believes that being surrounded by positive people, believing in yourself, and having faith in God have led to her success.

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 "do more" and why it’s critical to reclaim your focus and peace. Whether you're a dreamer or an established entrepreneur, this is your reminder to pause, breathe, and stop "should-ing" on yourself.

Episode Quote: Comparison is the thief of joy. ~ Theodore Roosevelt

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to manage your social media intake to protect your peace

• How to stop comparing your business journey to others

• How to celebrate your daily wins—even the small ones

• How to give yourself grace and keep moving forward

• How to reset your focus with intentional actions

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Ways to reach Monica:

• Instagram: @becomeyourownbosspodcast

• Email: [email protected]

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 essential strategies to get people talking about you...in a good way. If you’ve ever felt awkward asking for referrals or unsure how to grow your network authentically, this episode is for you.

Episode Quote: Your network is your net worth. Porter Gale

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to build a referral network that actually works

• How to ask for referrals without feeling pushy

• How to create easy tools that help others promote your business

• How to show appreciation in ways that encourage repeat referrals

• How to turn one client into ten through strategic relationship-building

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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 reminder that every purchase is a vote for the kind of community you want to live in. Monica shares personal stories, eye-opening research, and a few surprising facts that might just make you rethink that next Amazon order.

Episode Quote: When you support a small business, you’re supporting a dream. ~Anonymous

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to strengthen your community with your everyday purchases

• How to rethink convenience vs. impact when shopping

• How to support local businesses beyond Small Business Saturday

• How to find unique, meaningful gifts close to home

• How to use social media to boost your favorite local brands

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Ways to reach Monica:

• Instagram: @becomeyourownbosspodcast

• Email: [email protected]

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. She also breaks down two hot-button issues that could quietly chip away at your profits: tariffs and the government shutdown. If you’ve ever been tempted to reinvest every dollar back into your business, this episode is a must-listen wake-up call.

Episode Quote: You are the most important asset in your business. Self-care is particularly important when you are self-employed. ~Unknown

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to prioritize your personal financial future while running a business

• How to build automatic investing habits that protect future you

• How to respond when tariffs show up on your product invoices

• How to think through the ripple effects of a government shutdown

• How to balance investing in your business with saving outside of it

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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 the smartest move. This episode challenges everything you think you know about wealth building and gives you the power to take control. If you’re a business owner or aspiring investor, you’ll walk away with a mindset shift and actionable steps.

Episode Quote: An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” ~Benjamin Franklin

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to build a portfolio that fits your real risk tolerance

• How to spot the hidden fees quietly eating away at your returns

• How mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) differ

• How to think like a long-term investor without obsessing over the market

• How to prepare your business and finances for uncertain economic times

Make Better Wealth Decisions Podcast

https://www.johndegoey.ca/

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Ways to reach Monica:

• Instagram: @becomeyourownbosspodcast

• Email: [email protected]

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 marketing strategy designed to convert. If you've been putting off the planning, this is your nudge to take action now...not later.

Episode Quote: You can’t build a reputation on what you’re going to do. ~Henry Ford

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What you will learn in this episode:

• Three questions to ask as you begin the 4th quarter

• How to craft a holiday marketing plan that actually works

• How to reward loyal customers and attract new ones

• How to reduce customer decision fatigue and boost conversions

• How to prepare your business now to set the tone for next year