Interview by Hannah Collier

Soncerae Monique has built a brand rooted in entrepreneurship, resilience, and reinvention. From modeling and entertainment to tech, coaching, and e-commerce, her journey reflects the realities of modern business ownership and the lessons learned along the way. In this interview, she opens up about entrepreneurship, purpose, financial growth, and building generational wealth.

Hannah Collier: Tell us about yourself.

Soncerae Monique: I’m a certified life coach, author, entrepreneur, and investor. However, I’ve been many things over the years. I was a professional model for six years and a social media personality for over 20 years. I was also a magazine publisher and CEO of my own entertainment company. Before any of those things, I was a recording artist for many years.

I’m also in the IT industry. I own a UX/UI design company and have a strong interest in the software industry. In addition, I’m involved in the automotive industry and currently run a car rental business.

Hannah Collier: What made you decide to start your businesses?

Soncerae Monique: I started my first business when I was 18 years old. I’ve always dreamed of being a businesswoman. It came naturally to me.

Hannah Collier: How did you know you were onto something?

Soncerae Monique: Once I became consistent, people started consuming everything I posted online.

Hannah Collier: What’s your secret to starting a successful online business?

Soncerae Monique: Supply and demand. Find something people truly want and solve a problem.

Hannah Collier: How did you choose your product?

Soncerae Monique: About a decade ago, I used to sell inspirational jewelry on Facebook, and people loved it. Eventually, my sales slowed down, and I gave up on it. Looking back, I should have kept going.

Whenever I posted videos on TikTok, people constantly complimented the celibacy ring I wear. I finally decided to share the story behind why I wear it and began selling them online. The day I launched my boutique, I made $1,500 within the first hour.

Hannah Collier: What’s next for you? Give our readers a preview.

Soncerae Monique: If I could, I’d love to do more television and film work. I also want to do more speaking engagements. Eventually, I’d like to open a brick-and-mortar business—maybe even a few laundromats, hotels, and cafés.

Hannah Collier: Who do you want to help?

Soncerae Monique: One of my goals is to create more millionaires and business owners. I’m a capitalist. I want people to develop a healthier relationship with money and learn how to manage it better.

Because I experienced homelessness myself, I never want to see anyone living in poverty.

Hannah Collier: How do you measure success?

Soncerae Monique: By how much freedom and happiness I have. Success looks different for everyone.

Hannah Collier: Where do you draw your strength from?

Soncerae Monique: God, my faith in my purpose, and my children. Wanting them to have a better life motivates me. I’m passionate about building generational wealth and breaking generational curses within my family.

Hannah Collier: Are there challenges that come with being an entrepreneur?

Soncerae Monique: 

Entrepreneurship is difficult. Running even one business is hard. It’s not for the weak. You have to find a source of power and inner strength to keep going.

Hannah Collier: What keeps you inspired?

Soncerae Monique: My supporters and my audience. It’s encouraging to see them motivate me the same way I try to motivate them.

Hannah Collier: What do you believe your impact has been so far?

Soncerae Monique: Every day, someone tells me I’ve impacted their life. Women especially reach out to me about surviving homelessness, heartbreak, sexual trauma, and other hardships. Seeing me continue to push forward inspires them to keep going too.

Hannah Collier: How can others support you and your businesses?

Soncerae Monique: Sharing my content helps tremendously. Even if someone can’t afford my products or services, sharing my work makes a huge difference.

Hannah Collier: What lessons have you learned along the way?

Soncerae Monique: The biggest lesson I learned was how to manage money properly. A lot of what I was taught about money was incorrect.

I used to believe that earning more money automatically made someone wealthy. In reality, many people spend everything they make on lifestyle expenses and never build wealth. Some people spend six figures a month when that money could be managed and multiplied more effectively.

Most people who appear wealthy actually are not.

Hannah Collier: What advice would you give someone starting a Shopify or e-commerce business?

Soncerae Monique: It’s not an easy business to get into. A lot of influencers encourage people to start e-commerce stores or dropshipping businesses, but it’s not as simple as it looks, and it’s definitely not free to start.

You need inventory, preparation, and systems in place. I wasn’t prepared for my store to generate so much revenue in its first month. I dealt with shipping delays, missing orders, and operational issues. It was difficult at first, but I’m learning and improving as I go.

Hannah Collier: Would you do it all again?

Soncerae Monique: Absolutely. I would do it again, but I’d approach it differently and make the process even better. I’d probably open another type of store as well.

Hannah Collier: We have recently found out about the passing of Soncerae Monique.

Keeping her children and family in our deepest prayers. May she rest in peace.