The Self Made Life Podcast

Struggling with your pricing? Feeling stretched thin but still worried about raising your rates? This episode is going to hit home.

In part three of my 7 Lessons in Seven Years series, I’m opening up about the money patterns that held me back in business—and the ones that helped me finally build something sustainable. I’m talking pricing fears, undercharging, shifting into profit-focused offers, the tax surprises that knocked me flat during maternity leave, and how I rebuilt my financial systems so I could support my family without drowning in stress.

If you’ve ever wondered:
• “Who am I to charge more?”
• “What if raising my rates scares people off?”
• “How do I plan for taxes as a self-employed creative?”
• “How do I make sure my offers actually make money?”

…this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air.

I’m breaking down what changed for me, what I wish I learned sooner, and the pricing and money shifts that helped me serve clients better and pay myself properly.

Hit play for an honest conversation that’ll help you rethink the way you charge, save, and grow—without the financial fog.

Our Website:
www.themonarchdesign.co
The Monarch Experience
VIP Days
Freebie - 50 Instagram Prompts & 12 Canva Templates

Instagram:
@monarchdesignco
@selfmadelifepodcast

If you’ve been feeling the pull to shift your business—or you’re already mid-pivot and questioning everything—you’re not alone. In this episode, Ashley opens up about the twists, turns, and reinventions that shaped her seven-year journey from calligraphy and wedding stationery to brand design, web design, VIP Days, and now mentoring other creatives.

She shares the real behind-the-scenes of closing her Etsy shop, walking away from offers that looked successful on paper, building a business through a pandemic, moving to a new city, and navigating two maternity leaves while growing into a creative director role.

You’ll hear:
• Why your first offer isn’t meant to be your forever offer
• How to recognize when something no longer feels like you
• What shame and fear can teach you about alignment
• How to update your messaging when you're shifting direction
• Why thoughtful pivots often lead to your strongest season yet

If your business feels “off,” this conversation will help you trust your intuition, create space for what’s next, and make aligned moves without second-guessing yourself.

Feeling ready for clarity or support as you navigate your own shift? Explore Ashley’s 1:1 mentorship sessions for creative entrepreneurs who want more direction, confidence, and alignment in their next season.

Our Website:
www.themonarchdesign.co
1:1 Mentorship Calls to support your next chapter
The Monarch Experience
VIP Days
Freebie - 50 Instagram Prompts & 12 Canva Templates

Instagram:
@monarchdesignco
@selfmadelifepodcast

What really happens when you build a business from scratch while juggling life, moves, motherhood, burnout, and the kind of growth you only understand in hindsight?

In this episode of The Self Made Life Podcast, Ashley shares the first lesson in her “7 Lessons in 7 Years” series: start before you’re ready.

She walks through the early days of Monarch Design Co.—from learning calligraphy at her dining table to selling custom pieces on Etsy with zero systems, no website, and not a clue where it would lead. You’ll hear how messy first steps, one small project, and unexpected referrals quietly snowballed into a real business.

If you’ve been waiting for the “right moment” to launch something, this episode is your sign to move— scared, unsure, curious… and still moving.

Our Website:
www.themonarchdesign.co
The Monarch Experience
VIP Days
Freebie - 50 Instagram Prompts & 12 Canva Templates

Instagram:
@monarchdesignco
@selfmadelifepodcast

Pinterest has changed, but it’s far from dead. In this episode, Ashley chats with Pinterest strategist Elaine Timms about what’s working in 2025—keywords, pin styles, timelines, and smart systems that keep your evergreen content working while you live your life.

You’ll hear:

• Why keywords beat volume every time

• Static vs. video vs. carousel pins (and what to ignore)

• Tailwind in 2025: what to use, what to skip

• How to repurpose IG/blog content for a cold search audience

• A realistic traction timeline (hello, 6–9 months)

• The 3 biggest mistakes that kill reach on Pinterest

• A simple workflow to organize links, do keyword research, and batch pins

Quick hits:

• Best pin cadence: start with ~5/day if you can, but Pinterest SEO > pin count

• Board names = keywords (skip the cutesy)

• Write human-friendly board descriptions with secondary keywords

• Avoid keyword stuffing; diversify pin titles and visuals

Connect with Elaine: website, newsletter (Evergreen Impact), Instagram, LinkedIn.

Our Website:
www.themonarchdesign.co
The Monarch Experience
VIP Days
Freebie - 50 Instagram Prompts & 12 Canva Templates

Instagram:
@monarchdesignco
@selfmadelifepodcast

What does it really look like to build and scale a business while raising babies?

In this honest episode of The Self-Made Life Podcast, Ashley Wyatt — Creative Director of Monarch Design Co. — pulls back the curtain on the reality of growing a design studio through two maternity leaves in two years.

Ashley shares the lessons, surprises, and emotional challenges of scaling during motherhood — from navigating nap-time work sessions to redefining success while balancing family and ambition.

If you’re a service-based business owner or creative mom trying to grow sustainably while raising little ones, this episode will help you feel seen, supported, and inspired.

You’ll learn:

• How Ashley navigated two maternity leaves in two years

• Why scaling looked totally different than she expected

• The support gap for creative moms growing mid-stage businesses

• The story behind her newest 1:1 mentorship offer

It’s part business, part motherhood, and all heart — a reminder that you don’t have to do it all to do it well.

Ready for clarity and direction?
Book your 1:1 mentorship session at themonarchdesign.co/mentorship or DM “MENTOR” on Instagram @monarchdesignco.

Our Website:
www.themonarchdesign.co
The Monarch Experience
VIP Days
Freebie - 50 Instagram Prompts & 12 Canva Templates

Instagram:
@monarchdesignco
@selfmadelifepodcast

In this powerful episode of The Self Made Life Podcast, host Ashley Wyatt sits down with financial advisor and money mindset coach Paula Wilimek to unpack the emotional and practical sides of money for creative entrepreneurs. Paula shares her 20+ years of experience helping women break through limiting beliefs, set empowering financial goals, and finally feel confident in their cash flow.

We dive into:

• Why money mindset matters more than math

• How ancestral beliefs and family dynamics affect your income ceiling

• Simple, non-intimidating ways to start tracking your business finances

• How to create projections that actually feel achievable

• What Paula means by having an “F-U account”

• Behind the scenes of Ashley’s Rich Girl Summer experience (and the launch of Rich Girl Fall!)

Whether you’re navigating feast-or-famine cycles, coming back from maternity leave, or just want to build wealth your way, this episode is a must-listen.

🎧 Connect with Paula: @paula_wilimekfinancialadvisor 
🌐 Learn more: wilimekfinancial.com
📝 Resources mentioned: Lucky Bitch app, Rich As F*ck, Thank and Grow Rich, Rich Girl Fall Coaching

Our Website:
www.themonarchdesign.co
The Monarch Experience
VIP Days
Freebie - 50 Instagram Prompts & 12 Canva Templates

Instagram:
@monarchdesignco
@selfmadelifepodcast

Want your website to work harder than you do? In this episode of The Self Made Life Podcast, Ashley Wyatt shares 5 proven tips to turn your website into your best salesperson. Learn how to boost site speed, write clear and strategic copy, design a mobile-friendly experience, use intentional visuals, and build a strong SEO foundation so your dream clients can actually find you.

Perfect for service providers, creatives, and small business owners ready to attract clients, increase conversions, and create a website that sells 24/7.

Interested in AI visibility and SGE? Tune into this episode here.

Our Website:
www.themonarchdesign.co
The Monarch Experience
Showit Template Shop
Freebie - 50 Instagram Prompts & 12 Canva Templates

Instagram:
@monarchdesignco
@selfmadelifepodcast

 

In this episode of The Self Made Life Podcast, Ashley sits down with serial entrepreneur Britt Holmes, founder of Merit Media and The Operations Collective, to talk about what it really takes to run a thriving business without burning out.

Britt shares her journey from corporate VP to building multiple businesses while raising two kids, and how she transformed chaos into clarity through streamlined systems and boundaries. Together, Ashley and Britt dive into:

• Why most entrepreneurs struggle with operations and how to fix it

• The power of creating one "home base" for all your tasks and responsibilities

• How automation, outsourcing, and tools like ClickUp can free up your time

• Setting boundaries as a mom and business owner (and actually sticking to them)

• Why Britt believes traditional SOPs are outdated—and what to do instead

If you’ve ever felt like your business is running you instead of the other way around, this episode is packed with practical strategies, real talk, and inspiration to help you reclaim your time and scale sustainably.

👉 Connect with Britt on Instagram @britthomeslive, at Merit Media, and The Operations Collective.

Our Website:
www.themonarchdesign.co
The Monarch Experience
VIP Days
Freebie - 50 Instagram Prompts & 12 Canva Templates

Instagram:
@monarchdesignco
@selfmadelifepodcast

Your clients aren’t scrolling anymore—they’re searching with AI. In this episode of The Self Made Life Podcast, Ashley Wyatt from Monarch Design Co. breaks down everything you need to know about Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE), AI search, and SEO for small businesses in 2025.

In today's episode, I'm sharing:

• What AI search and Google SGE really are (and why they matter for your business)

• How AI tools like ChatGPT, Bing AI, and Google now act as “concierges of the internet”

• The essentials AI looks for: clear brand positioning, structured content, schema markup, and FAQs

• Why SEO isn’t dead—it’s evolving, and it now touches every piece of your online presence

• Practical steps to make your website work 24/7 as your hardest-working employee

If you want to attract dream clients, boost your visibility, and make sure AI can actually find and recommend your brand, this episode is your guide.

✨ Ready for AI-optimized SEO support? Explore The Monarch Experience and the SEO Sprint Service to future-proof your online presence.

Our Website:
www.themonarchdesign.co
The Monarch Experience
VIP Days
Freebie - 50 Instagram Prompts & 12 Canva Templates

Instagram:
@monarchdesignco
@selfmadelifepodcast

This episode is in loving memory of Chris Deir, who tragically passed away in July 2025. His wisdom, kindness, and soul-centered approach will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him.

In this special episode of The Self Made Life Podcast, I sit down with Chris Deir, Jungian Coach and founder of Soul Advocacy Coaching, to explore what it means to live authentically, embrace transformation, and align with your soul’s purpose.

Chris shares his journey from corporate finance and real estate to launching his coaching practice, and how Jungian coaching helps clients reconnect with their inner wisdom, integrate shadow work, and navigate life transitions with clarity.

We talk about:

• Chris’s path into entrepreneurship and soul advocacy coaching

• What makes Jungian coaching different from traditional life coaching

• The power of dreams, synchronicity, and symbolic language

• Why slowing down, listening to your intuition, and trusting the process are essential for entrepreneurs

• How branding and web design gave Chris confidence to step into his role as a coach

Chris’s story is both inspiring and deeply human, a reminder to trust your inner voice and honour the unfolding of your own path.

🎧 Tune in now to learn more about Chris's story of entrepreneurship, and authentic living.

Show notes links:
www.themonarchdesign.co
www.chrisdeir.ca