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

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

Episode Sponsor -  ⁠KICKSTART YOUR BUSINESS PROGRAM⁠

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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

Episode Quote: Sometimes you just have to take the leap and build your wings on the way down. ~Kobi Yamada

In this special throwback episode, Monica Allen shares her origin story of how she went from a small-town girl with big dreams to a multi-business owner generating over a million dollars in revenue annually. If you're new to the Become Your Own Boss podcast, this is the perfect place to start. And if you've been listening for a while, this is your chance to reconnect with the roots of the show and the mission behind it. This story proves that you don’t need to have it all figured out. Sometimes you just have to take the leap and build your wings on the way down.

✅ What you will learn in this episode:

• How to take the intelligent leap into entrepreneurship

• How to build financial reserves from day one

• How to test your idea before going all in

• How to turn customer feedback into profitable services

• How to grow your business without outside advertising

Episode Sponsor -  Zeus' Closet 

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Join the ⁠Become Your Own Boss Community⁠

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Ways to reach me:

DM me on IG @becomeyourownbosspodcast

Email: [email protected]

In this behind-the-scenes episode, Monica opens her playbook to share the real-time strategies she’s using to grow her small business team—after going three years without hiring, she is jumping back in the saddle. From mindset shifts to practical hiring steps, this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom on what it really takes to bring the right people on board. Whether you’re hiring your first employee or rebuilding after a tough season, Monica gives you the raw truth on what works, what doesn’t, and why hiring is so much more than filling a role. It could be the pathway to level up your business.

Episode Quote: Hire character. Train skill. ~ Peter Schutz

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to shift from a “do-it-all” mindset to a leadership mentality

• How to use job platforms like Indeed effectively without breaking the bank

• How to structure a hiring process that finds culture-fit, not just skillset

• How to conduct work interviews that benefit both you and the candidate

• How to use SOPs to simplify and strengthen your training

• How to avoid the common trap of rushing a hire under pressure

Episode Sponsor -  Zeus' Closet 

Helpful Entrepreneurial Resources from Become Your Own Boss

Join the ⁠Become Your Own Boss Community⁠

⁠Monica FREE ebook⁠

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Ways to reach Monica:

• Instagram: @becomeyourownbosspodcast

• Email: [email protected]

In this powerful episode, host Monica welcomes financial expert and Young Money podcast host Tracie Bissett to talk about one of the most stressful aspects of entrepreneurship, cash flow. With real talk and clear advice, this episode uncovers the common money mistakes entrepreneurs make, how to fix them, and why understanding your numbers can literally save your business. Whether you're in your first few months or pushing toward seven years or seven figures, this is the money conversation you didn't know you needed.

Episode Quote: Never take your eyes off the cash flow because it's the lifeblood of business. ~ Richard Branson.

Episode Sponsor: Kickstart Your Business Program

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to stop feeling confused when looking at your P&L

• How to manage your cash flow with confidence—not fear

• How to avoid the most common financial mistakes entrepreneurs make

• How to start paying yourself without guilt or guesswork

• How to use pricing strategy to improve your bottom line

Helpful Entrepreneurial Resources from Become Your Own Boss

Join the ⁠Become Your Own Boss Community⁠

⁠Monica FREE ebook⁠

Get your⁠ Become Your Own Boss Planner⁠

Ways to reach Monica:

• Instagram: @becomeyourownbosspodcast

• Email: [email protected]

Sometimes, the losses we face aren’t the end—they’re actually redirection. In this episode of Become Your Own Boss, Monica shares a powerful story about her daughter’s recent run for class president. She gave it her all, worked hard, and still came up short, but just days later, an unexpected win changed everything.

This story is more than just about her; it’s about you as an entrepreneur. Business is full of wins and losses: clients say no, campaigns flop, and doors close. But sometimes those losses open new doors we could never have imagined.

By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with a new perspective on setbacks, resilience, and how to keep showing up when things don’t go your way.

You win some, you lose some. But always keep fighting. ~Unknown

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

✅ Why losing isn’t failure—it’s preparation for your next big win✅ How to reframe setbacks as redirection instead of roadblocks✅ Practical ways I reset and refocus when business feels overwhelming✅ The key questions every entrepreneur should ask to grow smarter (not just bigger)

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What happens when your message doesn’t match your audience? In this episode, Monica shares a powerful insight sparked by her return to the classroom and how it reminded her of a critical truth every entrepreneur needs to hear. With humor, honesty, and experience from over 20 years in business, she unpacks why how you say something matters just as much as what you’re saying. From academia to email marketing, this episode is a must-listen reminder that your words have the power to build bridges or barriers.

Episode Quote: The art of communication is the language of leadership. ~James Humes

Questions answered:

• Why is simple communication so important in business?

• How does academic communication differ from customer communication?

• What should every business owner keep in mind when writing or speaking to customers?

• What’s one mistake that might be causing your customers to walk away?

Episode Sponsor: ⁠Kickstart Your Business

Join the ⁠Become Your Own Boss Community⁠

⁠Monica FREE ebook⁠

Get your⁠ Become Your Own Boss Planner⁠

Ways to reach Monica:

• Instagram: @becomeyourownbosspodcast

• Email: [email protected]

  
  

Ready to sharpen your communication game and connect better with your audience?Listen to the full episode now, subscribe to the show, and leave a review to help more business owners like you find these valuable insights.