Meet Monica Koles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Koles.

Hi Monica, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started thinking of businesses very young and ALWAYS had so many ideas. I knew that I wanted to try and create my own business and that business pay homage to my family who has loved and guided me so fiercely through my life. My Grandfather, in particular, is someone special in my life. From the day that he put me (a 6-year-old in 1st grade) on the wrong bus and I ended up in the High School, we had a special kind of bond. You see, after that day he would not allow me to take the bus to school. He drove me EVERY DAY for what felt like years. The only caveat was, that I had to get up when he got up. He owned a business and was always up before dawn. He had to go get his breakfast and coffee, and since I wasn’t taking the bus, I HAD to go too. This is only pertinent to my story because it prefaces the bond that he and I had. I spent mornings with him reading the newspaper and days off of school in his office pretending to be important. I believe that this gave me a view into owning a business at a very young age. It was years later and unfortunately after he passed, that I became serious about making a business for myself that he would be proud of. Using something special to us, that he believed could actually help people. He had a mantra that he would use with my sisters and I anytime we were anxious about doing something. Competing in an event at school, sports, recitals, graduation, jobs, etc. I decided that I wanted to create products that used his special mantra and grow my business so that this Mantra was known across the US and people would actually use it when they needed it.

Today we are starting our Signature Mantra Line in hopes that the more people that hear our story and use the mantra will be able to spread the inspiration and motivation to others in their lives. We are a Michigan Small Business, and I mean small. I do mostly everything. This business holds a very dear part of my heart and I want each package that leaves me to have a hand written note and each email that is written to come directly from me.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
“It’s supposed to be hard. If it was easy, everyone would do it”- Tom Hanks I ALWAYS say this in my head. Because, NO, it has not been easy. There are things to overcome every day. Some days it’s an email that went out with a missing link, some days it’s a large bill for something you did not expect.

My main struggles are how to gain a following, how to grow social media, and how to give my customers a clear picture of what I am offering.

When you own your own business, you never turn your brain completely off. You constantly have ideas and lists running through your head, I know I do! It’s a real challenge to keep the overwhelm at bay. But, if it was easy everyone would do it, RIGHT?

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I own an e-commerce brand: Monnie & Co. My brand focuses on providing the feeling of beauty, love & inspiration to our customers so they can be inspired to provide those things for someone else. In the future I wish for Monnie & Co. to be known for its Signature Mantra: I can, I will, I shall, I’m EXCITED!

This mantra was passed down to me from my grandfather. He would say this to me when I was having anxiety before a big life event or sports game. I found it slightly embarrassing as he made me repeat the part: I’M EXCITED- until he felt that I was actually getting excited. You see, this final part;

I’M EXCITED- uses a tool called ANXIETY REAPPRASIAL.

This mantra can help reframe the anxiety your body feels, and trick it into thinking you’re excited. I believe this sets us far apart from other mantra-type brands.

What makes you happy?
In business, my customer’s stories- those make me happy. The stories of how my item made them feel. Those are the best. This is one of my recent reviews and it makes me happy every time I read it.

“I absolutely love it!!! It’s exactly what I needed for motivation and inspiration. I just started nursing school this past week and have been so overwhelmed but I look down at my bracelet and it gives me confidence!! Thanks for creating such a powerful piece of inspiration!!”

I take every person that this business inspires very personally and it makes me very happy to hear they love our products.

Contact Info:

• Email: hello@monnieandco.com
• Website: https://www.monnieandco.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/monnieandco
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/monnieandco

Image Credits
https://www.instagram.com/hayley_deboyer/