Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Hopkins
Hi Monica, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My first job, at 15, was through Baltimore City’s Youth Works program, where I worked as an Anesthesia Tech Assistant at the University of Maryland Hospital. I stocked anesthesia carts, observed surgeries, and got firsthand exposure to the medical field. That experience made it clear that direct patient care and hospital work weren’t my calling—I loved the structure and operations side of things but wasn’t cut out for the medical environment. When I first started college, I thought I wanted to be an elementary school teacher. But after taking a math course specifically for elementary teachers, I quickly realized that wasn’t for me.
I always had a love for English, writing, and creative expression, so I majored in English with a minor in Advertising & Promotion. My stepmother worked in marketing, which influenced my decision, as I wasn’t surrounded by many people who had gone to college. At the time, I thought the traditional path—graduate high school, go to college, get married, have kids—was just what you were supposed to do.
Once in marketing and communications, I realized I had a natural talent for strategy, branding, and project management. It became my creative outlet, allowing me to blend problem-solving, structure, and innovation—all skills I naturally excelled at.
The Shift Toward Entrepreneurship
Did I always know I wanted to be an entrepreneur? Not exactly. I always knew I wanted to be a leader. As a child, people called me “bossy,” but I wasn’t trying to control—I was seeking security and solutions. I’ve always wanted to lead because I could see a better way of doing things.
After spending years in the corporate world, I started to feel frustrated. I was pouring so much effort into someone else’s vision, and I thought, “Why am I doing this for them when I could be doing it for myself?” That realization planted the seed for my own business.
But even before that, entrepreneurship was all around me.
My father was a business owner in the lawn care industry, and I saw firsthand the flexibility and freedom that came with working for yourself. From an early age, I helped with his operations—handling payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable.
My mother, despite not having a degree, ran her own real estate business and made a great living doing it. She had me at a young age, took care of my grandmother, and still managed to build a successful career in real estate. Watching her showed me that success isn’t just about having credentials—it’s about having the drive, the strategy, and the willingness to do the work.
My stepmother built her own content marketing agency after leaving her corporate job, and I watched her transition into business ownership. Seeing her take that leap gave me a real look at what it meant to bet on yourself—the risks, the sacrifices, and the long-term rewards of owning your own business.
These experiences shaped me. They showed me that entrepreneurship isn’t just about making money—it’s about creating your own path, building something that works for you, and having the freedom to make choices on your own terms.
Later, when my husband and I decided to start an assisted living business, I saw even more clearly that what you put in is what you get out. Unlike corporate jobs, where your salary is predetermined no matter how much effort you give, in entrepreneurship, your success is directly tied to your drive and dedication.
The Turning Point: What Led Me to Start My Business
After leaving my corporate career at Johns Hopkins HealthCare, I found myself at a crossroads. I was pregnant with my youngest daughter when my husband and I decided to start an assisted living business. It was his idea—his family had experience in the industry—but I was the one who built the business from the ground up.
I handled everything—business registration, operations, sales, automation, policies, procedures, staffing, marketing, and compliance. I even obtained my assisted living management license because I believe in doing things the right way and with full knowledge. For me, it wasn’t just about opening a business—it was about making sure it was structured properly, compliant, and positioned for long-term success.
However, we had different business mindsets and values, which led to challenges. Over time, both the business and our marriage struggled, and we ultimately decided to close both. But through that experience, I learned something powerful—I had successfully built, operated, and scaled a business using corporate strategies but with small business resources. If I could do it once, I could do it again—for myself and others.
That realization led me to initially create Assisted Living Management Solutions, helping others start and run their own assisted living facilities. But as I worked with more clients, I realized that business fundamentals are universal. My expertise in strategy, operations, and automation could benefit entrepreneurs across various industries, especially in health and wellness. That’s how Small Business Management Solutions (SBMS) was born—expanding my focus to help all small business owners build sustainable, scalable, and structured businesses.
The Moment That Made Me Take the Leap
In April 2024, I separated from my husband, moving into my own apartment with my two daughters. I knew I needed financial security, so in August 2023, I had taken a job as a Marketing Project Analyst at a health insurance company in Boston. It was a job I could do effortlessly, but my heart wasn’t in it—I wanted to focus on my business, SBMS.
Then, in August 2024, I was laid off. Wow, I felt like I was losing everything. It was extremely humbling.
For an entire week, I was in shock. I just lay around, trying to process everything. But when it was time to decide my next move, I knew I didn’t have the spirit to look for another job. Job hunting is a full-time job in itself, and when I do something, I do it with full intention—I tailor resumes, prepare thoroughly, and commit fully. But this time, something in me said, “No, this is your time. Build your business.”
I took that leap, fully committing to SBMS. At first, it was scary—I had bills, responsibilities, and two daughters depending on me. But slowly, I gained more clients, built momentum, and made it work. Today, my business is growing, and while I still need more clients and more passive income, I am covering my expenses and standing on my own two feet.
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?
Right now, the biggest struggle I’m facing is finances. My divorce left my credit in rough shape, which means I don’t have access to large capital or funding. So, I’m making something out of nothing—leaning on the very strategies I teach my clients to make the most of every dollar, prioritize spending, and create smart, sustainable growth.
One of the biggest lessons I’m living through right now is how to scale and sustain a business without major financial backing. I don’t have unlimited funds to throw at ads or marketing campaigns, so I’m relying heavily on word-of-mouth referrals. Thankfully, I do great work, and my clients naturally share my name with others.
But that also means I need to be intentional about getting in front of more people, expanding my reach, and converting that organic interest into consistent revenue.
Even in tough times, I remind myself I am the sunshine. I bring light into my clients’ businesses, helping them find clarity and turn dark, chaotic days into something brighter and more structured.
And right now, I’m doing that for myself—practicing what I preach, using my own strategies, automating, delegating, and eliminating unnecessary tasks so I can focus on working ON my business, not just in it.
Lessons That Shape How I Run My Business Today
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that change is inevitable and the unknown can be exciting. You have to go through it to get through it. When you’re in the middle of it, it doesn’t feel good, but the only way forward is through.
I’ve also learned that having a plan is everything. I tell my clients all the time—create a plan so you don’t even have to think. When doubt creeps in, when fear tells you to quit, when it feels like things aren’t working, you go back to that plan. That plan is your commitment to yourself. It’s your guide when emotions get in the way, when you don’t feel motivated, when you’re questioning everything. Your plan keeps you accountable to your own vision.
The key is to stick to your plan, keep pushing, and stay faithful—to yourself, your vision, and the life you’re building.
Moments of Doubt & How I Push Through
Doubt is a constant visitor. I just had doubt the other day. But I have a saying I remind myself of daily:
“Inner Critic, Not Invited. Not This Year.”
I even have it on this year’s vision board. That little voice of self-doubt? I push it down. Every time it tries to sneak in and tell me I’m not ready, not smart enough, not polished enough—I shut it down.
I push through the discomfort. Even when I feel like I don’t have the right clothes to show up. Even when I feel like I don’t sound the way I think I should. Even when I feel like I don’t know enough. I push.
Because I want a different life.
Because my daughters are watching me.
Because I refuse to stay where I am.
I want my girls to see me pushing through fear, pushing through doubt, pushing through discomfort. Because if I can do it, they’ll know they can too.
So no matter how uncertain I feel, I push. And I keep pushing—because my future is worth fighting for.
What Keeps Me Motivated to Keep Going?
The life I know I deserve. I have a vision of where I want to be, and every day, I wake up with the intention to get closer to that life.
I know I’m meant to live somewhere warm. I am the sunshine. Even though I was born in the cold of December, I don’t belong in the cold. I belong in the sun, in summer clothes, in sandals, feeling the warmth on my skin. I want to wake up every day in a place that feels like me—vibrant, light, and full of energy.
But more than that, my daughters keep me motivated. I want to give them a life of security, freedom, and opportunity. I want them to feel comfortable in any room they walk into—something I had to learn the hard way. I want them to be cultured, exposed to different experiences, and confident in their own power. My journey isn’t just for me—it’s to show them that they can design their own lives, too.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Small Business Management Solutions?
I am the Founder of Small Business Management Solutions (SBMS), a consulting agency dedicated to helping small business owners with startup operations, automation, marketing, and growth, especially in health and wellness, build strong foundations, streamline operations, and scale with confidence.
I realized that so many small business owners start with talent but not with structure. They’re amazing at what they do, but they don’t have the foundation, systems, or operations in place to scale.
Many of my clients:
Work full-time jobs and want to turn their side hustle into a full-time business.
Already have a business but are overwhelmed and need systems, automation, and staff.
Are solo entrepreneurs with everything in their head, making it hard to train, delegate, and grow.
My mission with SBMS is to help small business owners build a solid foundation, so they can move from hustling to running a sustainable business with structure and confidence.
At SBMS, I offer core consulting services designed to take entrepreneurs from idea to execution by providing business startup guidance, operational structure, and marketing strategy.
My Services Include:
Startup Success Package – Business plan development, branding kits, business registration guidance, market research, and a strategic launch plan.
Operational Excellence Package – Workflow analysis, automation setup, SOP creation, team training, and HR setup.
Marketing for Growth Package – Marketing strategy sessions, content calendars, social media and email marketing, and analytics.
Workshops & Events – Vision board luncheons, goal-setting workshops, corporate team-building events, and business strategy sessions.
Digital Products – Business plan templates, marketing toolkits, operations and productivity guides, and financial resources.
Recorded Classes & Future Courses – Business startup fundamentals, business plan boot camps, and marketing & operations training.
What Makes My Approach Unique?
The difference between me and a lot of other business consultants is I’ve been where my clients are. I know what it’s like to survive and to thrive—and I know how to build something real from scratch.
People say I’m rough around the edges, but I call myself a hybrid. I come from the west side of Baltimore, a place where many people don’t get the opportunities I’ve had. I’ve walked into corporate boardrooms and felt out of place, but I kept pushing because I knew I deserved to be in those rooms. Now, I use my experience to help others break barriers, create their own opportunities, and thrive on their own terms.
I believe that thriving should be sustainable. It’s not about short-term success or quick wins—it’s about building a business that can’t be taken away because it’s built on a solid foundation.
That’s what I do for my clients—I help them stop running in circles, stop wasting advertising dollars, and stop filling a bucket with a hole in it. I make sure they have the structure, systems, and strategy to retain customers, scale their operations, and grow with confidence.
My approach is hands-on, realistic, and strategic. I don’t just give advice—I help my clients implement real solutions. I take corporate-level strategies and make them accessible to small businesses with limited resources.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t believe in luck. I believe in being blessed and favored. When you’re blessed and favored, life gives you lessons—not just wins or losses, but opportunities to grow, learn, and get better.
I believe that when you’re truly favored, you experience both extremes—what it feels like to thrive at the top and what it means to struggle at the bottom. But neither defines you. It’s what you do in those moments that determines your path, both in life and in business.
Everything happens for a reason. Every challenge, every setback, every success—it’s all part of the process. Some things happen because we need to learn certain lessons, strengthen certain skills, or realign with our purpose.
So, to me, success isn’t about luck. It’s about being grateful and recognizing your blessings, learning from your lessons, and using every experience—good or bad—to keep moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.almsnow.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbmanagementsolutions/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sbmanagementsolutions/posts/pfbid0PeKfA93C9hP4xCLN5CYqLaX9gswFgXFBGjp1wyr82ueULjAzjgPcz8apaUf7cSXNl
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/small-business-management-solutions-now/
Image Credits
Digital Media 8 (https://www.instagram.com/digitalmedia8/) and 2zChazz (https://www.instagram.com/2zchazz/)
