We recently connected with Monique S. Pearson and have shared our conversation below.
Monique S. , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea
It was the onset of the pandemic when I realized something: I wasn’t as fulfilled with my life as I thought. I had a successful career, but something was missing. Being stuck at home gave me plenty of time to reflect on what truly made me happy, and the answer was clear—travel. Nothing in the world brought me more joy. The idea struck me: “What if I turned my love of travel into a business?” That moment sparked something in me, but there was a huge catch—we were in the middle of a global lockdown. Travel was off the table.
That obstacle forced me to think creatively. If I couldn’t travel, I could teach others how to be ready for it when the world reopened. I decided to start by launching a computer-based training course, aimed at teaching women how to travel internationally, safely and confidently. It felt like the perfect way to channel my passion, but I quickly realized there was so much I didn’t know. I had always been an employee, so venturing into entrepreneurship was foreign territory.
I knew I needed guidance, so I sought out a business coach. For the first six months, she helped me lay the foundation. I had to learn it all—how to create a course, how to pitch it, how to set up systems like a CRM, a mailing list, and even how to host events. It was a crash course in entrepreneurship, and while it was exciting, it was also overwhelming. On top of that, I battled self-doubt constantly. This was uncharted territory, and the fear of failure loomed large. But I pushed forward, determined to make it work.
In January 2021, I officially launched my first course, I Believe I Can Fly. And then—nothing. Crickets. No one bought it. It was disheartening, to say the least, but it was also an incredibly valuable lesson. I realized I had made a critical mistake: I hadn’t taken the time to truly understand what my target audience wanted. After doing some research and listening to the women I wanted to serve, I learned that they didn’t want to learn how to plan travel themselves—they wanted someone to do it for them.
So, back to the drawing board I went. Instead of giving up, I pivoted. That’s when I started working on my first book, Take That Trip Girl!! The Ultimate Bucketlist Journal. Writing that book opened doors I hadn’t anticipated. Suddenly, I was being invited onto podcasts and speaking engagements. It marked the beginning of my public speaking career and a whole new chapter for my business.
Starting Soaring W/O Limits Enterprises has been one of the most challenging endeavors I’ve ever taken on, but it’s also been the most rewarding. The journey from idea to execution wasn’t easy—it was full of false starts, tough lessons, and lots of self-reflection. But through it all, I kept going, and I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything in the world.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I would describe myself as a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment and personal growth. As the CEO of Soaring W/O Limits Enterprises (SWOLE), I’ve built a platform that combines travel, mindset coaching, and community to help women break through barriers, especially in male-dominated spaces. My journey into this field started with a love for travel and a deep desire to help women experience the same life-changing benefits I gained from it—things like greater self-confidence, a sense of accomplishment, and the courage to face challenges head-on.
At SWOLE, we offer more than just travel planning. We focus on helping women transform their lives through experiences that push them beyond their comfort zones. Our services include personalized retreats, mindset coaching, and community-based support, all designed to help women grow personally and professionally. One of the key elements of SWOLE is the Triple E Tribe, an online community for women in male-dominated industries. Here, women can connect, share their stories, and support one another as they elevate, expand, and explore their potential. Through mindset coaching, I help women overcome the unique challenges they face in these environments, encouraging them to embrace their strengths and thrive.
What sets SWOLE apart is our holistic approach. We don’t just focus on one aspect of a woman’s life; we look at the whole picture—mindset, wellness, and community. This model was born out of my own experiences as a former military officer and corporate leader who has spent years navigating male-dominated spaces. I understand firsthand the hurdles women face, and I’ve crafted SWOLE to be a resource and support system to help them succeed.
In addition to SWOLE, I’m also proud of founding Professionista, a charitable initiative that provides professional attire and mentorship to disadvantaged women reentering the workforce. This work is personal to me because I believe in giving back to the community that helped shape me. Professionista allows me to do just that, by offering not just clothing but also guidance and support as these women pursue their careers.
What I’m most proud of is the impact SWOLE and Professionista have on women’s lives. Whether it’s helping a woman overcome her fear of traveling alone or giving someone the confidence to step into a new job, every success story reaffirms why I started this journey. The main thing I want people to know about SWOLE is that we’re not just about travel; we’re about transformation. My goal is to help women realize their full potential, no matter where they are in life.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Honestly, I’m someone who prefers to be behind the scenes, so being active on social media wasn’t something that came naturally to me. But I knew it was crucial if I wanted to get the word out about my brand, connect with potential clients, and show people what SWOLE had to offer. In the beginning, I made a lot of mistakes—one of the biggest was jumping straight into trying to sell my products. It didn’t take long for me to realize that wasn’t the way to build genuine connections. People buy from those they like, know, and trust.
So, I shifted my approach. Instead of focusing on selling, I focused on letting people get to know the person behind SWOLE—me. I started sharing my story, why I founded the company, and what drives me to empower women. That change in strategy made all the difference. My social media following grew from 1K to over 10K across platforms using this approach.
For anyone just starting to build their social media presence, here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:
Know Your Audience: Before you post, understand who you’re trying to reach. Knowing your audience’s needs and interests will help you create content that resonates with them.
Pick the Right Platforms: You don’t need to be everywhere. Focus on where your audience spends their time. For example, LinkedIn is great for professionals, while Instagram or TikTok works better for visually-driven brands.
Consistency is Key: Show up regularly. Whether it’s three times a week or daily, stick to a posting schedule. Consistency builds trust with your audience over time.
Engage with Your Audience: Social media is about building relationships. Don’t just post and disappear. Respond to comments, engage in conversations, and show genuine interest in what your followers are saying.
Use High-Quality Visuals: People are drawn to strong visuals. Invest in good photos and graphics that reflect your brand. Even free tools like Canva can help you create polished content.
Leverage Hashtags: Hashtags are powerful for increasing visibility. Use a mix of popular and niche-specific hashtags to expand your reach and attract your target audience.
Tell Your Story: People connect with stories, especially when they’re authentic. Share your journey, your mission, and what drives you. Authenticity will always resonate more than a perfectly curated feed.
Track Your Progress: Use social media analytics to see what works and what doesn’t. This will help you refine your strategy so you can focus on the content that really engages your audience.
Building a social media presence takes time, but when done right, it can be one of your most valuable tools for connecting with your audience and growing your business.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
One of the most significant pivots I made, both in life and business, was transforming my mindset. For years, I was comfortable staying in the background, supporting others and cheering them on from the sidelines. I played small, content with dimming my own light to make room for others. But when I stepped out on faith and started my company, Soaring W/O Limits Enterprises (SWOLE), I realized I had been holding myself back from my full potential.
Starting SWOLE forced me to embrace challenges and step into spaces that made me uncomfortable. Suddenly, I was putting myself out there—writing my first book and sharing how travel had profoundly impacted my life on podcasts. These experiences were empowering. For the first time, I realized that my story had merit and the ability to inspire others. It was a shift from being the behind-the-scenes cheerleader to being the one in the spotlight, sharing my journey in hopes of helping another woman struggling with self-worth, trauma, or self-esteem issues.
This mindset shift—moving from the shadows to fully owning my power—has been one of the most transformative changes I’ve ever made. It gave me the confidence to retire from the sidelines and answer the call that was on my life. Now, my mission is to share my story to uplift and empower women to become the best versions of themselves, just as I’ve done for myself. I’m no longer afraid to be seen, and that’s made all the difference. The future excites me because I now know that everything I need to succeed is already within me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.iammoniquepearson.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s.w.o.l._enterprise/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monique.pearson.7
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monique-pearson-b4118b208/
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@swoleagency
Image Credits
LaTonya Photography LLC