I met Amanda at a Women TIES event when her business was still a twinkle in her eye… a firework-sized twinkle! I could tell she wasn’t one to keep her foot on the brake for long; I knew it would only be a matter of time before she made a plan and put it into action.
And I was right, Amanda has been building her business and accepting challenges head-0n for over a year now. She’s definitely the driving force behind “The Funk and Jackson Group, LLC.” You can tell she is enjoying the process of developing her business and helping other women learn how to market their businesses more effectively and efficiently.
We’ve been colleagues, mentors and friends to each other throughout the process… Our personalities mesh well and our skill sets are different enough that we are always learning from each other – even though I’ve got a few chronological and entrepreneurial years on her. We each bring something to the table that can benefit the other – and we have fun dishing it up!
Amanda has a supportive family that believes in her; and if you’re blessed with that you know how important it is to ensuring everything stays on track! And her two great, fun, smart kids are happy to have an mom-preneur at home when they need her (even if they have to be extra-quiet when she’s on the phone with a client!)
To those of you that say, “You can’t have it all,” I say, “Yes, you can – you can if you’re smart enough to define what ALL means to you and you’re clear about your goals and priorities.” I think Amanda has it all – or at the very least she’s cool with where she is AND has her eye on the next step with a map to get her there.
About the Business
- What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
I love that for the first time, I am totally responsible for my own success or failure. I have no one else that I can blame. That is of course a double edge sword, but I like fact that others cannot hold me back. It is so empowering to know the only one holding me back is me.
- What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
I think the most satisfying moment was also my most frustrating moment. I started my business at 29. For a long time I had struggled against those who declared me too young to have enough experience. Previous co-workers, employers and even potential clients judged my age instead of my abilities. That drove me nuts! I had to work twice as hard to prove I knew what I was doing.
This brings me to my moment. It was two days after my 30th birthday. I had just added a great client to the ranks and started doing some successful work for her. She called me up very excited and declared me a “Marketing Guru.” Aw shucks, gee thanks, I am so glad you are getting results… wait! I had to turn 30 to hear that!!!!
I was so happy that I had picked a path that was making life easier for others and helping them find their own definition of success. The nice thing is that I am now “old enough” to be taken seriously. The downside, I am now old enough to be considered a grown up…
- Think about the jobs you had before starting your business. What lesson, concept or idea did you bring into your entrepreneurial career from that job?
I have worked what feels like a lot of different jobs, but they have all been in customer service, marketing and sales. I have always been attracted to jobs that I can interact with people. I am what you would call a “people person”.
Early on in my work history, I saw the difference between “clock punchers” and “I am going to rock this jobbers”. I learned from them that customers really responded to those who were there to work and that was is where their focus was. Customers were easily flustered by those who rather be anywhere else and treated them as a nuisance. That lesson made a big impact on my customer service policies and practices.
As I was promoted, I learned how to work with others. I learned how to motivate them to find their own success. That was incredibly rewarding! I really enjoyed training people and watching them blossom.
I also learned from my volunteer work and schooling. I learned the art of presentation and perception. How to mold opinions with the words you choose. That a carefully and honestly crafted response can open or close any particular door. That realization was awe-striking. I had the power to make a difference; simply with the way I presented myself and the words I chose. That is what led me into the public relations and marketing campaigns aspect of my business.
One of the biggest things I learned is how much time and money needs to be dedicated to market a small business. How much goes into making a business grow. I also learned, that small businesses often do not have much extra of either commodity. I realized that I could help fill that gap and make a difference in other people’s lives. That in itself is incredibly rewarding.
About Amanda Funk
- What songs are included on the soundtrack to your life?
My sound track is very eclectic to say the least. Some of the songs that pop into my head are:
• Life is a Highway – it’s a journey
• Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree with Anyone Else but Me – I am huge into loyalty, at every level.
• I Hope You Dance – I hope I take the time to live life, not just get through it.
• Carry On- only you can stop you from moving forward from what ever is holding you back.
• Save the Last Dance for Me – My husband and I have incredibly different interests, which is fine as long as we save the last dance for each other.
• What a Wonderful World – it really is
• Amazing Grace and Bridge Over Troubled Water – My faith keeps me strong. I can trust that things will be revealed and I will be safe in His plan for me.
• Dynamite – It says it all!
• The Truth – by Joe Whiting and Mark Doyle… give it a listen.
I could go on and on….
- What story does your family always tell about you?
Before my father passed away, he always had a saying about me. I think this saying may be the very reason I am successful at what I put my mind to. His saying was “The word no, is where she begins negotiations.”
- What would constitute a perfect day for you?
The perfect day would be a long one. It would be by the ocean or a lake with my friends and family there. It would start as the mist or fog began to rise from the water. The coffee would be hot and fresh. There would be bacon crackling in the pan. There would be swimming, fishing, volleyball and maybe playing cards. It would probably include taking a nap. However, it gently rains during the nap lulling me and my kids to sleep.
That evening there would be a long table filled with wonderful foods and everyone would be laughing and singing. There would be a bonfire that night with stories from different people. There would be zero injuries had… my children are walking booboo targets. It would end with tucking my children safely into bed. I would walk out on the dock or beach and curl up in a blanket with a glass of wine and watch the stars and listen to the waves. Total peace and quite. Some of my loved ones would be sitting with me, just enjoying the moment in silence. I would not get a single bug bite all day or night. I would sleep hard when I laid my head down for the night with a smile on my face. That would be my perfect day.
Fast Five – the fun stuff!
- What are your two beverages of choice: mixed drinks, wine, beer, lemonade, soda, coffee, tea or water?
All of the above!
- What was the first thing you bought with your own money?
A DVD copy of Rocky Horror Picture Show and Space Balls
- What is something you enjoy doing that you think no one would expect from you?
Camping like full on no technology camping
- If you were invisible, where would you go?
I’m not telling, that’s kinda the point.
- Aside from food, water, and shelter, what one thing could you not go a day without?
TP and Chapstick… must haves
- What’s your favorite color?
Blue and Green
- What’s your favorite season?
Fall