In this inspiring episode of Become Your Own Boss, Monica sits down with Tracy Nicole—a powerhouse fashion designer, author, and philanthropist whose story will challenge everything you thought you needed to succeed. From occupational therapy to building a national fashion brand, Tracy shares how purpose, preparation, and the courage to begin transformed her life and business. Raised by a single mother, diagnosed with breast cancer, and once afraid to start her own line, Tracy reveals how she created a clothing brand that heals, empowers, and redefines what success looks like. You won’t just hear a fashion story—you’ll hear a blueprint for chasing your calling with grit and grace.

Episode Quote: Go after your dream, no matter how unattainable others think it is. ~Unknown

Guest info:

Tracy Nicole Clothing

Created by: @tracynicoleatl
Life should be SIMPLE @simplebytracy @tracynicolefoundation (giving back)

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to start a brand without investors or loans

• How to use pop-ups and grassroots marketing to grow your audience

• How to find your business lane by studying what others miss

• How to build a fashion business that’s both profitable and purposeful

• How to balance motherhood, entrepreneurship, and mental clarity

Questions answered:

• What’s the first thing Tracy studied to avoid fashion business failure?

• How did she fund her first retail store without outside capital?

• What impact did breast cancer have on her designs and business direction?

• Why did she choose not to pursue big department store orders?

• How does Tracy define legacy and success now?

Listen now to hear a story of reinvention, resilience, and believing in your own dream.

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What does five years of podcasting teach you about life, business, and legacy?

In this powerful season opener, Monica marks the 5-year anniversary of Become Your Own Boss with five timeless lessons that will resonate deeply with entrepreneurs at any stage. From launching in a global shutdown to reaching listeners across the world, Monica opens up about the moments of doubt, the push for perfection, and the quiet strength in showing up even when no one seems to notice. This episode isn’t just about podcasting—it’s about what happens when you decide to keep going, even when it’s hard.

Episode Quote: Your legacy is every life you’ve touched. ~Maya Angelou

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to stay consistent even when inspiration is low

• How to start sharing your voice before it feels ready

• How to avoid the perfection trap and actually launch

• How to keep going when feedback and applause are missing

• How to make your content and business outlive you

• How to reuse and repurpose your content for bigger impact

Questions answered:

• What should you do when you feel like quitting your business?

• How do you find your voice as a content creator or entrepreneur?

• Why is consistency more powerful than perfection?

• How can your work serve people even after you're gone?

• What does building a real legacy actually look like?

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Ready to celebrate five years of insight, inspiration, and impact? Hit play on this milestone episode, subscribe to the podcast, and don’t forget to leave a review. Your support keeps this mission alive—and it might just inspire the next boss in the making.

Are you truly present when others speak—or just waiting for your turn?
In this powerful solo episode, Monica invites listeners to rediscover the lost art of meaningful conversation. Sparked by a simple chat with her daughter, Monica explores how curiosity, presence, and better questions can strengthen our personal and professional relationships. Whether you’re building a brand or bonding with your family, the way you engage with others matters. And in today’s distracted world, the ability to truly connect may be your greatest superpower. Monica also shares a simple challenge that can transform your week—and your connections.

Episode Quote: Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply. ~Stephen R. Covey

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to become a better listener in a noisy world

• How to ask questions that invite real connection

• How to use curiosity to build stronger customer relationships

• How to make your team feel truly heard

• How to be present at home without sacrificing your business goals

Questions answered:

• Why do so many conversations feel one-sided?

• How can you get people to open up to you?

• What kinds of questions lead to better dialogue?

• How does intentional conversation impact your business?

• What’s a simple way to practice presence with your family?

Tune in now to rethink how you connect—at work, at home, and everywhere in between. Don't forget to subscribe, share this episode with a friend, and leave a review if the show has inspired or helped you in your business journey.

In this episode Monica unpacks the very real impact of newly announced tariffs (and the pause) —and what you, as a business owner, can do to protect your bottom line. This isn’t a panic moment; it’s a preparation moment. Monica walks you through the strategic decisions she’s making at Zeus’ Closet and challenges you to rethink your supply chain, pricing, and even your revenue streams. From small tweaks to big ideas, this episode is about thinking smart, staying flexible, and refusing to go down without a fight.

Episode Quote: The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it and join the dance. ~ Alan W. Watts

Questions answered:

• What are tariffs, and how do they impact small businesses?

• What can you do if your products are considered discretionary?

• How can you add new revenue without increasing physical inventory?

• Why should you keep checking in with your suppliers right now?

• What does it mean to “sell your sawdust” in business?

Tune in to this timely and empowering episode to future-proof your business. Don’t forget to subscribe, share with a fellow entrepreneur, and leave a review if this helped you think more strategically.

In this eye-opening episode, Monica speaks directly to the solo entrepreneurs, the sole proprietors, and the self-made bosses making it happen every single day. If your income stops the moment you do, this is the wake-up call you didn’t know you needed. Monica unpacks the power of income diversification, practical automations, and business protections that give you the freedom to rest without guilt. From digital products to disability insurance, she’s breaking down exactly how to stop being the bottleneck in your business and start being the boss with a plan.

Episode Quote: "A wise person prepares for the storm while it’s still sunny." ~Unknown

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to protect your income when you are the business

• How to create digital products that make money while you rest

• How to automate repetitive tasks to save time

• How to prepare your business for emergencies before they happen

• How to choose the right insurance to safeguard your livelihood

• How to delegate without hiring a full-time team

  
  

Questions Answered:

• What’s the biggest risk of being a solo business owner?

• How can you start earning money without always being present?

• What types of insurance should solo entrepreneurs seriously consider?

• How can you document your processes to make your business run without you?

• What’s the easiest way to start delegating on a budget?

Ready to build a business that doesn’t collapse when life gets messy? Listen now, subscribe to Become Your Own Boss, and don’t forget to leave a review. It’s time to level up and build a business that supports you, not just the other way around.

In this episode Monica breaks down the book Hug Your Haters by Jay Baer and shares the mindset shift that transformed how she handles customer complaints. Once extremely bothered by negative reviews, Monica now sees them as one of the most powerful tools for growth. Through personal stories and lessons from the book, she explains why how you respond to unhappy customers could become your strongest marketing tool—and the secret to standing out in a crowded market. If you’ve ever taken feedback personally, this episode is for you.

Episode Quote: A customer complaint is a gift. Take the perspective that your customers complain because they want to help your business. Otherwise, they would say nothing and walk away, intent on never returning. ~Bill Quiseng

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Questions answered:

• How should you respond when a customer leaves a bad review?

• What makes complaints a valuable source of data?

• Why is customer service your biggest competitive advantage?

• When should you update your processes based on feedback?

• How can responding publicly to complaints help your brand?

Listen now to hear how changing your mindset around feedback could change your whole business. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a five-star review if this episode resonated with you!

In this episode Monica shares the sales strategies that have fueled her multi-million dollar business—and they might not be what you expect. With just three simple words—follow-up, feedback, and friendship—you’ll learn how to approach sales in a way that feels authentic, builds trust, and ultimately drives revenue. This episode is a must-listen if you're ready to stop pitching and start connecting in ways that actually close deals. Monica unpacks real-life examples and proven techniques to help you stand out, stay top of mind, and serve your customers better.

Episode Quote: Approach each customer with the idea of helping him or her solve a problem or achieve a goal, not selling a product or service. ~Brian Tracy

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What you will learn in this episode:

• How to follow up without being annoying
• How to turn customer feedback into business growth
• How to build meaningful client relationships that lead to repeat sales
• How to ask the right questions to better understand your customers
• How to network with intention and get more referrals

Don’t miss this chance to level up your sales game and Become Your Own Boss.

Are you feeling overwhelmed running your business solo or with a small team? You’re not alone. Many solopreneurs and small business owners struggle to juggle marketing, sales, customer service, and operations—all while actually doing the work they get paid for. The truth is, you can’t do it all. But the good news? You don’t have to. In this episode, Monica shares practical strategies to streamline your workload, boost your sales, and work smarter, not harder. Learn how automation, delegation, and prioritization can help you regain control of your time and business.

Episode Quote: You can do anything, but not everything. ~David Allen

Questions Answered in This Episode:

• What’s the biggest challenge solopreneurs face when growing a business?
• What tools can help automate sales and customer service?
• How can you create systems to save time and reduce stress?
• When is the right time to delegate, and what tasks should you outsource?
• How can you shift to a sales-first mindset without neglecting other parts of your business?

Ready to take control of your business without burning out? Listen now! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with another entrepreneur who needs it. Let’s level up together!

Hiring the right people can make or break your business, yet so many entrepreneurs rush the process—only to regret it later. In this episode, Monica shares hard-earned lessons from over two decades of hiring experience. From bad hires that created chaos to team members who became family, she reveals what really works when it comes to finding the right people. Learn why slowing down is the key to hiring success, how to ask better interview questions, and the surprising power of referrals.

Episode Quote: Hiring the right people takes time, the right questions and a healthy dose of curiosity. ~Richard Branson

• How to avoid the biggest hiring mistake entrepreneurs make
• How to use behavioral interview questions to find the best candidates
• How to create a hiring process that saves you time and stress
• How to use referrals to find reliable employees
• How to listen to your gut when making hiring decisions

Finding the right team members doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Tune in to learn how to hire smarter, build a strong team, and set your business up for success!

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Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with a fellow entrepreneur.

Bringing on a new team member is exciting, but are you setting them (and your business) up for long-term success? In this episode, Monica sits down with strategic advisor and entrepreneur TJ Slattery to discuss the often-overlooked but critical process of onboarding. TJ shares insights from his experience running a brewery to helping small businesses scale effectively through Crow’s Nest Consulting. Learn why onboarding is more than just paperwork and how a clear, structured approach can increase employee retention and engagement. If you’re hiring or plan to in the future, this episode is a must-listen.

Episode Quote: Each new employee brings with them potential to achieve and succeed. To lose the energy of a new hire thorough poor onboarding is an opportunity lost. ~Sarah Wetzel

Questions answered:

• What are the key elements of an effective onboarding process?
• How can onboarding improve employee retention?
• What common onboarding mistakes do small business owners make?
• Should onboarding be different for small businesses vs. large corporations?
• What simple changes can entrepreneurs make today to improve onboarding?

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Guest Info:

TJ Slattery, MBA

Crowsnest Consulting, LLC

⁠[email protected]⁠

(303) 515-0942

⁠crowsnestmindset.com⁠

Don't miss this conversation that could change the way you hire and retain your team. Listen now, subscribe, and leave a review.