Many small business owners reach a point where working harder no longer leads to better results. The next step often isn’t a new tool or tactic—it’s a shift in how you think and lead. In this episode of the 15ish Minute Coffee Chat, we’re joined by Moniek James and Ryan Hunt, business experts with deep experience in both entrepreneurship and leadership. They share five key mindset and leadership shifts that help business owners lead more effectively and make better decisions. This conversation is designed for entrepreneurs who want to create lasting results through better decision-making, stronger communication, and more focused leadership.
Quotes from the show
”You have to project the energy and that’s how you’re, you are able to succeed and accomplish all these things.”
-Ryan Hunt
Initiative comes before experience sometimes and when it does, it works.
-Moniek James
Let’s Meet Our Guest
Moniek James & Ryan Hunt
Moniek James is a business strategist and content expert with a background in military leadership and entrepreneurship. She helps small business owners build sustainable strategies that support long-term growth.
Ryan Hunt is a communications and leadership consultant with corporate and nonprofit experience, specializing in brand storytelling and executive development. Together, they guide business owners in aligning vision, operations, and communication to grow more effectively.
Espresso Shot(s)
Top 5 Takeaways 1. Initiative Beats Experience Brantley Foster (Fox) doesn’t wait for an opportunity—he makes one. Takeaway: Don’t wait for permission or the “perfect” role. Sometimes, bold action and initiative can open more doors than a resume.
2. Know the Business Better Than the Bosses Brantley studies the company’s operations from the inside out and sees what the executives miss. Takeaway: True understanding of your organization—its strengths, weaknesses, and people—can position you to lead, even if you’re not yet in the corner office.
3. Fake It ‘Til You Make It—But Deliver He fakes an executive identity, but backs it up with smart decisions and business insight. Takeaway: Confidence is key, but it must be backed by results. Pretending to be something you’re not only works if you’re also becoming the person who can do the job.
4. Corporate Politics Can Be a Circus—Stay Strategic Brantley navigates office politics, jealous bosses, and tangled relationships like a chess master. Takeaway: Be aware of workplace dynamics. Succeeding in business often requires emotional intelligence and political savvy, not just raw talent.
5. Innovation Can Come From Anywhere His outsider perspective and fresh ideas lead to a game-changing merger. Takeaway: Great ideas don’t only come from the top. Listen to new voices—especially the underdogs. Innovation often bubbles up, not down.
You talk about “knowing the business better than the boss.” What does that really mean for a small business owner? How can founders break out of perfectionism and focus on delivering results consistently? What are some ways internal politics or past work habits show up in how people run their own companies? Innovation can feel out of reach for smaller businesses—how do you define it, and where should business owners look for it? How can a founder build their own leadership model, especially when they don’t fit traditional leadership styles? In your own work, how have you seen these mindset shifts change outcomes for business owners? What’s one small but impactful action a business owner can take this week to lead more effectively
Thanks for joining us on today’s 15{ish} Minute Coffee Chat! We’d love to hear from you.
Letʻs Be Inbox Besties!!!
Your brand’s success starts with one key factor—you.
Self-advocacy isn’t just about speaking up; it’s about owning your value, positioning your business for visibility, and confidently stepping into opportunities. In this episode, we’re sitting down with Moni Jefferson, a powerhouse entrepreneur, marketing strategist, and the founder of AMSE, who has helped thousands of military spouse entrepreneurs start, scale, and sustain their businesses.
Moni shares the mindset shifts, branding strategies, and bold moves that helped her build multiple ventures, land national recognition, and create lasting impact. If you’re ready to stop playing small and start positioning yourself for the success you deserve, this conversation is for you.
Quotes from the show
I would say Discipline, out of the box thinking, self advocacy and investing in growth.
-Moni Jefferson
Take your pick: Elevating your brand, Confidence, business visibility, start up, woman in businss…
-Moni Jefferson
Let’s Meet Our Guest
Moni Jefferson
Assoc of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs | Owner & Founder
Moni Jefferson is an innovator committed to social impact. A recently seasoned Air Force Spouse and accomplished multi-venture entrepreneur specializing in public relations, marketing strategy, business development, and community building. Moni is known for her role in advocating for military spouse entrepreneurs and international speakers across local and national venues. Since 2014 Moni has helped build and scale multiple military spouse programs. Moni has even been invited to the White House and featured in Military Spouse magazine on the Nasdaq Tower in Time Square, Inc, and Forbes Next 1000 entrepreneurs for her work. Her most recent venture as the CEO and Founder of The Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs (AMSE) since 2019 has helped over 10k + military spouses all around the globe to start, scale, and sustain their businesses.
AMSE is the first fully digital military spouse entrepreneur program and platform with education, community, digital masterclasses, resources, national partners, and more. It was built by military spouse entrepreneurs for military spouse entrepreneurs. AMSE was inducted into the DOD’s Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) in its first year for its work and impact on the military spouse community. Moni is also known for working in the tech space; Moni has created and raised Capital for her three Military lifestyle apps, MilCam, MilEmoji, and My Ultimate PCS. Moni holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in Communications and Public Relations and is a member of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc. Moni has been married for 25 years, has three children and lives on the east coast. She loves traveling and is dangerously addicted to nachos. On her downtime she enjoys teaching her children how to cook traditional Puerto Rican meals and diving into a good crime podcast.
Espresso Shot(s)
Why is self-advocacy such a critical skill for business owners, and how can entrepreneurs start advocating for themselves effectively?
What are 1-3 powerful yet simple ways business owners can elevate their brand presence in a crowded market?
Meet Anna + Selena – a duo of fun-loving small business owners, digital experts, and strategic smarty-pants that offer resources and services to small and medium-sized businesses.
