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

Monica speaks with Jennifer Bassman who teaches women how to acknowledge their own burnout, as well as, how to build an awareness of their stress levels, create effective boundaries, start working based on their natural strengths and talents, and stop feeling responsible for everyone and everything. She is the author of Stop Being A Doormat, The Burnout Recovery Method (Fall 2023), a Certified CliftonStrengths coach, and has coached hundreds of business professionals through burnout recovery since 2012. Jennifer has been a pet care business owner and operator since 2000. 

Her 22 years of pet care industry experience and knowledge are often referenced in her work. She is passionate about supporting other female entrepreneurs. Jennifer, who is originally from Des Moines, Iowa, grew up to be a people pleasing perfectionist who is obsessed with dogs and fresh sweet corn. She started her first business in her 20s without any experience, surviving on Diet Dr Pepper and sheer determination. She is now living in Dallas with her husband and three dogs. 

Episode Quote: You are not required to set yourself on fire to keep other people warm. ~Unknown 

Jennifer's Contact Info:

Episode sponsor: Zeus' Closet Solopreneur Package 

Ways to reach Monica: 

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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 uncle. Living below the poverty line for all of her young life, Monica was determined to break the cycle. Being the first in her immediate family to attend a 4 year university, Monica worked in the field of insurance as a benefits broker for 8 years and earned her Masters in Business Administration. Leaving to set out 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 has led to her success. Have some Feedback? If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friends or fellow entrepreneurs. Don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcast, Pandora, Amazon or wherever you get your podcast to get automatic episode updates for "Become Your Own Boss!"  And, finally, please take a minute to leave an honest review and rating on iTunes or Audible. This truly is what helps the podcast grow.

On this throwback episode, we are talking about franchises. Could this be the step you need to take to become your own boss, but not necessarily suffer from the lonely road of entrepreneurship.  Monica is joined by Jon Ostenson, founder of Franbridge Consulting, a non-restaurant franchise broker. Whether you already own a business or you are eager to dip you foot into entrepreneurship, franchising could possibly be the right way to go. Jon and I talk about the pros and cons of franchising, the funds needed to get started and so much more.  Episode Quote: With a franchise, you have someone who cares as much about the business name and image as you do because they own it. ~Jim Evanger  

Jon's contact info: Website: https://franbridgeconsulting.com/  

Email: [email protected]

Apply for the Accountability Group 

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 uncle. Living below the poverty line for all of her young life, Monica was determined to break the cycle. Being the first in her immediate family to attend a 4 year university, Monica worked in the field of insurance as a benefits broker for 8 years and earned her Masters in Business Administration. Leaving to set out 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 has led to her success. Have some Feedback? If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friends or fellow entrepreneurs. Don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcast, Pandora, Amazon or wherever you get your podcast to get automatic episode updates for "Become Your Own Boss!"  And, finally, please take a minute to leave an honest review and rating on iTunes or Audible. This truly is what helps the podcast grow.

There is a reason Monica decided to share this as a throwback. 

Meeting 2 people in a week who never had the opportunity to go on field trips as a child, she is passionate about sharing the importance of giving your children opportunities that can last for generations to come. Even if you do not have kids, you can give kids in your community exposure to positive opportunities that will begin a ripple effect.

Episode Quote: Instead of buying your children all the things you never had, you should teach them all the things you were never taught. Material wears out, but knowledge stays. ~Bruce Lee

Episode sponsor: Vidkid.school 

Helpful Entrepreneurial Resources from Become Your Own Boss:

Monica FREE ebook 

Get your Become Your Own Boss Planner 

Join the Become Your Own Boss Community HERE

Link Get the 30 point checklist for building a clothing brand at www.zeuscloset.com/checklist 

Ways to reach Monica: 

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 uncle. Living below the poverty line for all of her young life, Monica was determined to break the cycle. Being the first in her immediate family to attend a 4 year university, Monica worked in the field of insurance as a benefits broker for 8 years and earned her Masters in Business Administration. Leaving to set out 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 has led to her success. Have some Feedback? If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friends or fellow entrepreneurs. Don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcast, Pandora, Amazon or wherever you get your podcast to get automatic episode updates for "Become Your Own Boss!" And, finally, please take a minute to leave an honest review and rating on iTunes or Audible. This helps the podcast grow.

On this episode Monica shares 6 tips that has help she and her husband remain in business together for 21 years and married for 20. She also discusses opportunities that exist during and after a recession. Perhaps this is actually the time to start a business for the 1st time or to start a new one.  Episode Quote: As sure as the spring will follow the winter, prosperity and economic growth will follow recession. ~Bo Bennett 

Episode Sponsor -  Zeus' Closet  

Helpful Entrepreneurial Resources from Become Your Own Boss:

Monica FREE ebook 

Get your Become Your Own Boss Planner 

Ways to reach Monica:

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 uncle. Living below the poverty line for all of her young life, Monica was determined to break the cycle. Being the first in her immediate family to attend a 4 year university, Monica worked in the field of insurance as a benefits broker for 8 years and earned her Masters in Business Administration. Leaving to set out 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 has led to her success. Have some Feedback? If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friends or fellow entrepreneurs. Don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcast, Pandora, Amazon or wherever you get your podcast to get automatic episode updates for "Become Your Own Boss!"  And, finally, please take a minute to leave an honest review and rating on iTunes or Audible. This truly is what helps the podcast grow.

On this Boss Up Books episode, Monica discusses Adam Grant's book Think Again. Have you ever got on you soap box and felt that you were right or that the way you do something is really the only way to do it? In this book Adam provides us  with much evidence that we can benefit when we think again. Often landing on a better overall result.  Create a challenge network, hang with people who don't always agree with us and so much more. This is a must read because it challenges you to open your mind.

As an entrepreneur we cannot get stuck in or on one way of thinking or one way of doing something. We may have to pivot in order for our company to survive or do things differently in order to better serve our customers.  Episode Quote - Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. ~ George Bernard Shaw 

Get Adam Grant's book here. Note: Monica is an Amazon Affiliate and may receive money when you purchase this item. 

Trifecta Group Coaching's 7 Keys to Catapult Your Product-Based Business into 2023  

Visit www.monicaallen.com to join the Become Your Own Boss Community 

Monica FREE ebook 

Get your Become Your Own Boss Planner 

Ways to reach 

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 uncle. Living below the poverty line for all of her young life, Monica was determined to break the cycle. Being the first in her immediate family to attend a 4 year university, Monica worked in the field of insurance as a benefits broker for 8 years and earned her Masters in Business Administration. Leaving to set out 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 has led to her success. Have some Feedback? If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friends or fellow entrepreneurs. Don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcast, Pandora, Amazon or wherever you get your podcast to get automatic episode updates for "Become Your Own Boss!"  And, finally, please take a minute to leave an honest review and rating on iTunes or Audible. This truly is what helps the podcast grow.