From Welfare to Millionaire Boss Blueprint

Summary

Podcast Summary: Living The Red Life – "From Welfare to Millionaire Boss Blueprint"

Host: Rudy Mawer
Guest: Tamika Washington
Date: May 24, 2026

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Episode Overview

This dynamic episode of Living The Red Life centers on Tamika Washington’s transformative journey from welfare to millionaire status, and her philosophy on entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal power—particularly as a woman in business. Tamika and Rudy explore the challenges and mindsets that underpin true "boss" status, discuss the evolution of feminine leadership, and detail Tamika's "Bossy Blueprint" aimed at empowering women to embrace their own power, both behind the scenes and center stage.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Multiple Roles in Life & Embracing Them (00:00–02:11, 11:13–12:01)

• Tamika: Shares the metaphor of life as a series of scripts and roles, learned from acting class: "You literally have to be able to switch it on and off because you don't know what role you're going to step into. But you've got to be a winner of all roles." (11:13)
• Takeaway: Success comes from adaptability—owning each role, whether personal or professional, and being able to transition between them fluidly.

Defining What It Means to Be a Boss (02:17–04:34)

• Tamika redefines “bossiness” not as domineering, but as self-mastery and owning your strengths:
  • "Being a boss is more or less honing in on you and what you can bring and what you can offer. It's not about bossing people around so much... It's about just really owning you and being okay with being a woman in a position of power." (00:29, 04:03)
• Host Note: Rudy and Tamika agree that boss energy is beyond the flashy TikTok aesthetic—it’s a deeper, personal capability.

The Invisible (and Visible) Power of Women in Leadership (05:11–07:54)

• Rudy shares anecdotes highlighting powerful women behind major brands (e.g., PlayStation), noting their influence is often unseen but foundational:
  • "You said that these were women who were helping men who were behind the scenes. In other words, if we're behind the scenes, it's okay for us to be bossy. But when you're a woman and you're running things and you're bossy, people are like, oh, gosh, she's so mean." — Tamika (05:18)
• Insight: The discussion unpacks the shifting landscape, from women only being allowed authority “behind the scenes” to openly owning leadership and influence today.

Overcoming Barriers: From Welfare to Millionaire (02:17–03:18, 06:51–08:21)

• Tamika is open about her journey:
  • "You're going to learn so much about my personal struggles, about how I went from basically welfare to millionaire." (02:17)
  • The importance of “channeling your inner beast” and accepting being “a little bit much” to achieve greatness: "If I wasn't much, I wouldn't really have much. So I'm okay with it." (06:51)
• Motivation: Owning ambition, pushing past old social expectations, and serving as a role model—especially for women.

The Bossy Blueprint: Empowering Women (03:27–03:40, 06:16–08:21)

• Tamika is developing the “Bossy Blueprint”—a program for women to step into leadership and entrepreneurial roles they fear or avoid.
• The blueprint is about moving beyond just influence to be the source of power: "Now what you're teaching is that your blueprint is beyond influence. It's like, no, I am beyond the influence. I am the power." — Rudy (06:16)

Navigating Criticism & Educating Others (07:54–09:16)

• Tamika on handling haters and skeptics:
  • She speaks primarily to women but stresses her message also resonates with men.
  • "I'm hoping that as I move forward, people are watching, listening, and learning and not staying stuck in the 1900s." (09:15)
• Strategy: Don’t waste energy on negativity; focus on moving forward and leading by example.

Scaling Up—From Wearing All the Hats to Building a Team (09:41–10:52)

• As success grows, Tamika is learning to delegate:
  • "I'm learning more about stepping out of my business and helping building the team that can run the business while I look on the outside and perfect what's going on inside." (09:52)
• Tip: Growth means trusting others and relinquishing some control to avoid burnout.

The Power of "Character": Theater, Authenticity, and Branding (11:09–14:00)

• Both host and guest discuss the value of “playing roles” in life, referencing acting classes as key for personal development.
  • "Get the experience of understanding what presence means, what landing on your lighting, saying a certain word and letting the room buzzle and sizzle... we are in playing. And this is us." — Rudy (11:57)
• Social Media as Theater: Every platform is its own stage; curate your persona intentionally (13:12–13:32).
  • Tamika: "That's why I have that Persona. She's so bossy. You know, I have a reality show that I'm in and it's called Indie Bosses." (13:34–13:40)

Embracing Your Inner Nerd & Authentic Self (14:13–15:15)

• Tamika and Rudy reflect on how being a nerd or theater kid is now an advantage, and that what once was uncool is now powerful: "One thing I realized in life is that the nerds are the ones that you can't even contact anymore." — Tamika (14:30)
• Takeaway: Authenticity, quirks, and unique background fuel long-term success.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On adapting to roles:
  "Life has many scripts. Life has many roles for you to play... you've got to be a winner of all roles." — Tamika (00:00, 11:13)

• On feminine leadership:
  "It's about just really owning you and being okay with being a woman in a position of power." — Tamika (00:29, 04:03)
  "When you're a woman and you're running things... people are like, oh, she's so mean. But then you have Rudy, who has to be a boss... But it would be harder for a woman to be in that position of power. However, the woman is really the one that's running it behind the scenes." — Tamika (05:18)

• On critics:
  "If I wasn't much, I wouldn't really have much. So I'm okay with it." — Tamika (06:51)

• On entrepreneurship:
  "Everything is strategy." — Rudy (09:39)

• On letting go:
  "For so many years, I did not want to give that hat to anybody else. I wanted to hold on to every hat, and. And it's gotten me a little crazy." — Tamika (10:09)

• On authenticity online:
  "I have to be She's So Bossy in the world. And then when I'm at home, when I'm relaxed, I'm just Tamika, AKA Mika." — Tamika (14:00)

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Important Timestamps & Segments

• 00:00–00:49 | Tamika on life’s roles and acting lessons.
• 02:17–03:18 | Introduction to Tamika’s background: welfare to millionaire.
• 03:27–03:40 | Launching the Bossy Blueprint.
• 04:03–04:34 | Redefining what it means to be a boss.
• 05:11–06:16 | Female leadership, behind-the-scenes power.
• 06:51–07:54 | Tamika’s struggles & channeling the “inner beast.”
• 09:41–10:52 | The necessity of building a team for scaling.
• 11:13–12:01 | The value of playing different roles in life and business.
• 13:12–13:40 | Social media personas and Indie Bosses show.
• 14:13–15:15 | The power of embracing your inner nerd.

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Contact & Follow-Up

• Find Tamika: All social platforms as "Shesobossi" (with an “I” because "it's all about I").
• Reality Series: “Indie Bosses” (currently in development).

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Final Thoughts

This episode provides a powerful look into what it takes to move from struggle to success, especially for women in business. Tamika advocates for embracing all aspects of oneself—boss energy, “nerd” quirks, and the ability to play any role required. Her Bossy Blueprint signals a movement for unapologetic feminine power and entrepreneurship, while practical advice on scaling and authenticity keeps the conversation grounded.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, leaders (women and men alike), and anyone breaking out of old molds, this is a motivating and actionable episode not to miss.

Transcript

[A]

Life is. Has many scripts. Life has many roles for you to play. Like as a wife, you play the role of a wife. As a worker bee, you play the role of a worker bee. As a boss, you play the role of a boss. Like, I was taught in acting class that you literally have to be able to switch it on and off because you don't know what role you're going to step into. But you've got to be a winner of all roles.

[B]

Yeah. Let's talk about some of the philosophies of the mindset about being so.

[A]

Being a boss is more or less honing in on you and what you can bring and what you can offer. It's not about bossing people around so much, being a mean girl and this, that, and the other. It's about just really owning you and being okay with being a woman in a position of power.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

You know, a lot of times.

[B]

My name is Rudy Moore, host of Living the red life podcast, and I'm here to change the way you see your life in your earpiece every single week. If you you're ready to start living the red life, ditch the blue pill, take the red pill. Join me in wonderland and change your life. Welcome to another episode of the living your legacy podcast, the Red life edition. Joining me today is another amazing legacy maker, but this one with quite the twist. She is the boss of all bosses. Tamika Washington is joining us today. Welcome to the red Life, Tamika. How are you?

[A]

I'm fabulous. How about you?

[B]

I'm. No one's ever asked me that. I'm actually. I'm actually unwell. No need to be around me. I love it. Tamika, I'm doing fantastic now that you're here. I love the red on red and the gold killer outfit.

[A]

Thank you. Thank you.

[B]

How do you feel?

[A]

You're.

[B]

You're obviously growing. What's on your mind?

[A]

Oh, my gosh. So much is on my mind. It never stops going. It just never stops going. But I am very happy to be here. I'm feeling awesome, and I'm so grateful for this opportunity.

[B]

Right on, Tamika. Well, we've been patiently waiting.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

This is Tamika the sequel. I believe your first outing, you were a little skeptical. You're looking at like, what the hell. Yeah. And you're back. How do you feel now?

[A]

I am happy to be back.

[B]

So am I. Jesus.

[A]

It was an event before, but we made it happen. That's what we're going to focus on.

[B]

We're going to focus on the event of Today, what are we going to learn about you and your Legacy Makers episode?

[A]

Oh, my God. You're going to learn so much about my personal struggles, about how I went from basically welfare to millionaire, and love it. You know, my children, my family life, how I went from little bitty Fort Wayne, Indiana to fabulous Atlanta, back to Fort Wayne, Indiana.

[B]

I love it. I love it. I don't know, this might age me, but one of my favorite MTV moments is seeing Old Dirty Bastard being a millionaire and being a rapper and then going to to Cash as Welfare track. That kind of gave me like a disposition of how bad things were back then and how things started are back today.

[A]

Oh, yes. Now, which rapper was that one?

[B]

Oh, gosh, I can't remember. Oh, yeah, for sure. Odb.

[A]

Oh, yeah, I can. I can believe that. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Life got real for him.

[B]

Oh, for sure, for sure. Let's talk about your life. This is all about you.

[A]

Where.

[B]

Where do you want to begin? The today or the yesterday?

[A]

We can begin with today.

[B]

Where are you today?

[A]

Today I have reached so much success that I am just giddy inside.

[B]

I can tell.

[A]

Yes. But you know, it. It, ha. I wear many hats, which I don't complain about because it could be another situation.

[B]

Sure, sure.

[A]

So I'm just at a point in a position in my life where I'm grateful for everything and I want to make sure that I spread the knowledge that I've built. I'm actually working on something called the bossy blueprint.

[B]

Hell, yeah.

[A]

To where I can give women a blueprint to starting venturing out into things that they're not comfortable doing. Just being more of a boss. Embracing your bossiness.

[B]

Right on. A lot of folks hear this bossy word and they're like, oh, yeah. The stuff I see on the TikTok where I gotta wear this and I gotta do that and act this way. It goes beyond that, right?

[A]

Way beyond that.

[B]

Yeah. Let's talk about some of the philosophies of the mindset about being a boss.

[A]

So being a boss is more or less honing in on you and what you can bring and what you can offer. It's not about bossing people around so much. Being a mean girl and this, that and the other. It's about just really owning you and being okay with being a woman in a position of power.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

You know, a lot of times we're kind of talked down from that because it's like, oh, no. Oh, you're bossy. Oh, she's not a nice person. No, I am a nice person. I just don't take shit.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's quite funny that the feminine energy is quite important. I also often believe masculine and feminine energy is very important, especially an individual like ourselves. A lot of mentors, like Rudy himself. Rudy is the boss. He is Mr. Red. But every time Rudy has a problem, he. He yells out, jen. Jen is the boss of all bosses. Quite, Quite a powerful female.

[A]

I love it.

[B]

I also have to make that correlation with my former boss at PlayStation. Mr. Kazari. Mr. PlayStation.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Everyone didn't fear him because he was a friendly face. It was the ea, the boss of all bosses. Oh, man. Nobody, nobody would mess with that woman.

[A]

That's right.

[B]

And she was quite scary.

[A]

But she kept him together.

[B]

Oh, yeah. Because she kept all the CEOs before him and him together.

[A]

But do you understand what you just said?

[B]

Go ahead. What did I just say?

[A]

You said that these were women who were helping men who were behind the scenes. In other words, you know, if we're. If we're behind the scenes, it's okay for us to be bossy. But when you're a woman and you're running things and you're bossy, people are like, oh, gosh, she's so mean. She's so this, she's so that. But then you have Rudy, who has to be a boss. You have your. The PlayStation man who had to be a boss.

[B]

Oh, yeah, for sure.

[A]

Yes. Mr. PlayStation. Can you imagine the position of power that they're in into? But they can be that. That man of power. But it would be harder for a woman to be in that position of power. However, the woman is the really the one that's running it behind the scenes.

[B]

Perfect. I always like to land on that. Like, even. Even one of my heroes, George Lucas, the woman, the person that saved the movie was the editor that happened to be his wife that happened to be a woman. I'm like, it's all. It's always been powerful female energy and not in control, but in an influence.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And it goes, now what you're teaching is that your blueprint is beyond influence. It's like, no, I am beyond the influence. I am the power.

[A]

Yes. And it's okay.

[B]

It's absolutely okay. Look at me, completely understanding your power and worshiping your energy. And it's deserved. And it's not just because you look good. It's because I feel your energy. I feel the scars and your general badges that you wear with honor. And I recognize it. Now, let's talk about some of those scars and how you earn them. And how can folks that are listening and watching this gain your knowledge and your braveness?

[A]

Well, you have to channel in your inner beast. And when I say that it's going to come from a place where it kind of is a little bit much, which I've been told I can be much. And if I wasn't much, I wouldn't really have much. So I'm okay with it. I'm totally okay with it. But at the end of the day, I feel like this is a movement for women right now.

[B]

Absolutely.

[A]

I feel like a lot of times roles have reversed and it's back in the day when it was a woman can't be. They can be seen and not be heard.

[B]

But not anymore.

[A]

Not this movement, not this world, not where we live. Because if women weren't heard, then a lot of people wouldn't be as successful as they are. You know, PlayStation Man. Exactly. Rudy.

[B]

Rudy. Everything but me with my grandmother. Oh, gosh, are you kidding me?

[A]

The women are the beginning of it all. And I honestly feel like men were just so intimidated. They did not want us to own our power, and now we don't care what they think. We're gonna own our power, and we're gonna move forward and we're gonna be bossy queens.

[B]

Good for you. I love the bossy queen. What do you tell to men or even other former other colleagues that are a little hesitant or a little aggressive with this movement? How do you educate them? Or do you just ignore them and sight out of mind?

[A]

Well, it's not necessarily out of sight out of mind, because they are definitely in sight. And at the end of the day, I always talk about the women, but in my podcast. I'm sorry, I'm. In my podcast, in my.

[B]

You just broke the fourth wall.

[A]

In my interview, I spoke about that. I spoke about how I speak only to women, because I know the women have been the ones that have been downplayed for so much, but it just doesn't go to women. It also is for men. You know, I talked about how when I lived in Atlanta, I ran across fabulous kings and queens and queens that were sometime men and queens that were sometime women. But every person had a input in how I figured out how to do this bossy blueprint. Because you have some women who are just too timid and they want the man to lead, but in reality, they're not even realizing they're leading the scene behind the scenes. But if that's what you're okay with, it Then, Then, then I'm okay with it for you, sure, but out of sight, out of mind. I can't. I'm going to move forward regardless.

[B]

Right?

[A]

Because that is just my bossy energy. But I'm hoping that as I move forward, people are watching, listening, and learning and not staying stuck in the 1900s.

[B]

Oh, for sure. There's a. There's a statement, you know, keep your friends close, your enemies even closer, per se. So is he always. They live rent free, but they' place them in the back because that's the entrepreneurial thing to do. You know, it's all. It's all strategy. It's always chess, not checkers.

[A]

Everything is strategy.

[B]

Talk about your strategy today. Like, what happens the moment you, you. We shake hands and you leave and you, you, you run it right up, Run, run right off into the sunset of Miami. What happens next for you?

[A]

My phone goes crazy.

[B]

Right on.

[A]

My emails go crazy. My assistants are going crazy because they're like, what's she doing? Where's she at? What's going on? But at the end of the day, it's about making sure I hang on to this. Because if you do not, you are a boss. I am a boss. We are bosses, but we still have responsibilities that we have to uphold. I'm learning more about stepping out of my business and helping building the team that can run the business while I look on the outside and perfect what's going on inside. Because for so many years, I did not want to give that hat to anybody else. I wanted to hold on to every hat, and. And it's gotten me a little crazy.

[B]

Oh, oh, no. Trust me. I've done hundreds of these with Rudy. And the moment he goes, all right, Ray, you're up next.

[A]

I go, wait, what?

[B]

Wait, what? Like, okay, I can do some of my eyes closed. And then Rudy's literally on an island shooting another. Another show.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

So he's multiplied me. He's done the thing.

[A]

Yes, he's done the things, and I understand the things that he has to do.

[B]

Welcome to the tribe.

[A]

Yes. Yes. And I'm so happy to be here.

[B]

Welcome so much.

[A]

So happy.

[B]

As a tribal member, what do you say to folks that are skeptical or see all this zany and how zany we are? Do you think folks need to be characters to thrive and survive in today's society?

[A]

Heck, yeah.

[B]

Hell, yes, you do. Hell, yeah, you do.

[A]

Yeah. To the Yale.

[B]

To the.

[A]

Because you know what? Okay. So when I was in college, I learned that life is a role. Oh, okay. No, no, Life has many scripts. Life has many roles for you to play. Like as a wife, you play the role of a wife. As a worker bee, you play the role of a worker bee. As a boss, you play the role of a boss. Like I was taught in acting class that you literally have to be able to switch it on and off because you don't know what role you're gonna step into. But you've got to be a winner of all roles.

[B]

Oh, yeah. That's the secret. That's your secret card there. The acting class. I always encourage folks, if they don't do any coaching, just stand a theater and be coached at least for something.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Get the experience of understanding what presence means, what landing on your lighting, saying a certain word and letting the room buzzle and sizzle. Like doing live theaters. I'm just getting chills thinking about it. We're doing live theater right now. We are in playing. And this is us.

[A]

Yes. This is our role for right now.

[B]

Exactly. This is the podcast role. The moment this turns off, we become 15 second role and then we move on with our lives. But that's the entrepreneurial journey. That's part of the tr. When we go home, we cry and yell at things and we show our true selves.

[A]

Our poor family, our poor mirrors.

[B]

With that, I love the trauma. Bonding always necessary, especially in the red set. Lead with fire. Lead with red. For folks that are fans of you or becoming fans of your tribe and Rudy's tribe, my tribe, Kofi's tribe. How can fans reach you? How can fans support you today?

[A]

So you can find me on all social media platforms. It's S H e S O B O S S I and I'm literally, I'm an old school girl. I just look. But in all reality, I am just getting into this social media and all of these things and I'm understanding the importance of everything. That's actually how I ran into Rudy.

[B]

Amazing. Something I like to coach is every social media platform is a different theater. It's a different show. When you're doing Hamilton and the other, you're doing Romeo and Juliet. But always protect your heart. What is on that device has to be your Bruce Wayne. Batman is back at home chilling. And I mean that on purpose.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

This is Bruce Wayne. We are in control. No, we're not.

[A]

And that's why I have that Persona. She's so bossy.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

You know, I have a reality show that I'm in and it's called Indie Bosses.

[B]

Hell yeah.

[A]

And that is actually something I didn't really talk about in my interview because it's still being picked up and all of the things. But it is so important to understand what you just said. Like, I have to be. She's so bossy in the world. I have to show as she's so bossy. And then. But then when I. When I'm at home, when I'm relaxed, I'm just Tamika, AKA Mika.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know what I mean?

[B]

But we're a very lucky generation. We were raised in the 80s and 90s, in the early 2000s, and then everyone figured out, oh, wait, I can actually play in real life. You mean an influencer and all this other stuff. Everyone caught up to what we've been doing for quite a while.

[A]

Yes. Before social media was social media.

[B]

I know.

[A]

We had to do the thing.

[B]

Yeah, we had to do the thing. It's just been called the theater, kid. And before that, just being called a nerd and understanding that we are just.

[A]

So you were a nerd, too.

[B]

I'm a nerd geek. All in between. Oh, my gosh.

[A]

I had to embrace my inner nerve.

[B]

Oh, you have to. You have to complete.

[A]

You know what I mean? When I was. When we were growing up, it was like, oh, no, you a nerd. You going to get beat up. You're going to people. One thing I realized in life is that the nerds are the ones that you can't even contact anymore.

[B]

Oh, no.

[A]

Yeah, because the ones that were the. The, you know, the it boys and the it girls in school, they're either dead in prison or a bum on the streets. But those nerds, oh, yeah, where are they? They're out of reach, out of touch. Because, you know, I'm perfect and I love it.

[B]

I haven't posted in seven years. I have. All my accounts are quiet because I'm serene. And do you know what my account handle is?

[A]

What?

[B]

Murder Palace. And I've been quiet for seven years because I get to choose when I get to perform and I have the name of all names. I'm glad you got that reaction.

[A]

I love it.

[B]

I know, right? I'm gonna have a. I'm. I'm hoping to have as much fun as you are having when I get to finally launch Murder Palace.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

With that baby, it's all back to you. What's your dog? Calm again.

[A]

I am. She's so bossy.

[B]

She's right on.

[A]

And again with an I, not a Y, because it's all about I.

[B]

Right on. I Love it, Tamika. Dr. Mrs. Washington is such an amazing soul and energy. Thank you so much for giving me the confidence I need to close this up with a wrap. Kof, thank you so much for your energy as well. And that concludes another amazing episode of the Living your legacy podcast, a red life edition. That's Tamika. I'm Rigatieres. And we are inside. Success. Yes.