157. Visibility, Belonging, and Building a Business That Lasts with Monique Eckes

In this episode of Doing Business Like a Woman, I sit down with my client and friend Monique Eckes, CEO of Silver Paws Studio. Monique is a photographer and videographer whose work centers around helping people feel comfortable enough to be seen. She shares how being incredibly shy as a child shaped the way she now creates safety for her clients and why belonging is really what most of us are craving. We talk about: The importance of being visible, even when it feels uncomfortable How dropping perfectionism makes you a better leader Why matching the energy you are around matters The power of having a strong why How community keeps you accountable and in action This is an honest conversation about growth, identity, leadership, and what really sustains you through the hard seasons of business. If you have ever felt invisible in your business, or wondered how to keep going when it gets hard, this episode is for you. If you’re ready for real strategy and real support, the 90-Day Marketing Accelerator is where we do the work. It’s my group coaching experience for women who are ready to simplify their marketing, build consistent visibility, and become deeply confident in their value. Learn more and take the next step here: https://www.melissamkellogg.com/90dma Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome and introducing Monique Eckes03:00 – Journey from veterinary practice manager to photographer06:00 – The connection between invisibility and wanting to be seen08:00 – How Monique creates safety for people, pets, and entrepreneurs11:00 – Dropping perfectionism13:00 – Setting the tone and becoming a better leader14:00 – Selling worms on the side of the road at 11 years old16:00 – What keeps you in business for 13+ years18:00 – “When your why is stronger than your resistance, you can overcome it.”20:00 – Getting on stage despite being painfully shy22:00 – The identity shift of stepping into CEO energy24:00 – Entrepreneurship as one big experiment26:00 – The power of community and accountability28:00 – How the 90 Day Marketing Accelerator creates momentum33:00 – Safety in belonging35:00 – Who the 90 Day Marketing Accelerator is for38:00 – Monique’s current projects and what she is building next41:00 – Invitation to join the 90 Day Marketing Accelerator Connect with Monique: 🌐 Website: https://silverpawstudio.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silverpawstudio/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/silverpawstudio/ 🎵 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monique-renee-eckes-9213374/ 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SilverPawStudioFortCollins Stay Connected:  📝 Join the 90-Day Marketing Accelerator: https://www.melissamkellogg.com/90dma 📩 Sign up to receive my Friday Newsletter! https://avanticreativegroup.mykajabi.com/newsletter-opt 💭 Your thoughts and experiences matter to me! Share your takeaways from this episode with me. https://www.speakpipe.com/DoingBusinessLikeAWomanPodcast 🌐 Website: https://www.melissamkellogg.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamkellogg/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissa_m_kellogg/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BusinessAcademy4Women  Want to Grow Your Sales, Doing What You Love, in the time you have?? Then, you’ve got to go and grab my free on-demand video training that will teach you my simple process for creating compounding results from the sales and marketing strategies you are already using. Get the training HERE. Subscribe to the podcast + download each episode on Apple, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.