Over the last few weeks, I have shared interviews with both Julie FitSmith and Alexis Duehren. I thought it would be fun today to answer the same questions myself. I want to dig into how my story built my business.
I knew when I started my Instagram page, blog, and now business that it would benefit me tremendously. I was craving creativity and connection. What I didn’t fully anticipate was the pivotal role telling my story would play. My story has become the center of everything I do within my business. It informs my values which leads to my mission statement which determines who I serve and how. It is all so connected. And because my story is at the center it keeps me grounded within my business. Showing up in that space feels so dang good.
Q: Will you tell us about yourself? Who are you, what do you do, have you always done this, what do you want us to know about you?
My name is Amber but all of my favorite people call me Am. I am married to my ever-patient husband Dan, and I am the mom to two incredible kids, Jack (9) and Molly (6). I am an INFJ and enneagram 2. I feel first and think second, unless you count anxious thoughts then I’m thinking literally all the time. I am obsessed with storytelling and the power it carries which has transformed my life completely.
I am a freelance writer and content creator, blogger, and as of recently a storytelling coach. I have not always done this. I majored in English and Education. I taught high school English for a few years. Then we moved because of my husband’s residency and then fellowship programs. When we moved I was pregnant with my first and super sick, so I stayed home. I ended up being a stay-at-home mom for 10 years which I never could’ve predicted. During that time I blogged, I created an at-home preschool curriculum, I sold LuLaRoe, and I was constantly searching for new projects and avenues to express myself. All of that ultimately led me here. I knew I wanted a job that allowed me to set up my own days, prioritize my family, be creative, connect with people, and stretch myself. This is where I landed.
Q: Are you where you thought you would be or doing what you thought you would be doing?
I was going to say not even close, but actually kind of? When I graduated I expected to stay in teaching forever, but I’m not an English Teacher anymore. So on that level, I’m not where I thought I would be. On another level though, my entire life I have been obsessed with stories and storytelling and the connection it forms between us. It is what led me to English. My passion for story is what led me to teaching. I am now using my English degree as a writer and my Education degree as I coach women through how to best find their voice and share their own stories. So I couldn’t have ever imagined being here and yet it is exactly what I dreamed of.
Q: Was there a pivotal moment or experience that brought your goals/purpose into sharper focus?
Oof. When Molly was diagnosed with leukemia everything about my life shifted. And while initially, it was all a lot more muddy and out of focus, things crystallized pretty quickly. We were forced to evaluate all of our priorities: who we spent time with, what we did, where we went, etc. We were forced to act with so much more intentionality. In some ways, Molly’s diagnosis also gave us a reason to hold boundaries that would’ve been hard otherwise. We got real-life practice in saying no and standing our ground.
When Molly was declared cancer-free in some ways there was an expectation to snap back into life pre-cancer. But I knew I didn’t want that. We had spent two years building something new and beautiful. I committed to continuing to work on that life. The biggest, bravest, most beautiful one.
Because of that commitment, I knew what I did and didn’t want when I started exploring returning to work after 10 years at home. My therapist challenged me to let myself dream and imagine. That is what gave me the courage to take the steps towards starting my own business.
This business, A Big Brave Life, is that promise in action.
Q: Would you say sharing your story has helped you heal? If so, how?
I will tell you that hands down writing saved me during those really hard times. Connecting with people on Caring Bridge, processing my thoughts and emotions while journaling late at night while Molly slept in the hospital bed next to me, collecting my ideas to share with Dan about how I was doing, writing my to do lists. I mean writing was everything. And I’m just talking about the actual writing part of it!
On top of the therapy that writing provided the actual storytelling and story-sharing created the deepest roots and connections I’ve ever experienced. Trauma is incredibly isolating. I have found that sharing my story, even when it is hard, makes me to feel less alone. When I started allowing my story to take up space and began allowing it to inform decisions I began showing up more authentically. My life and relationships have only benefited from this.
Q: How has sharing your story helped your business?
Sharing my story literally built my business. Sharing Molly’s diagnosis and the way our lives changed, the steps I was taking towards building my biggest and bravest life, the ideas I had for the world I wanted to be a part of creating…it all led me here.
Q: What would you say to someone who is feeling the pull or nudge to share their story or try something that has been placed on their heart but they’re feeling nervous or hesitant?
I have yet to meet a single woman who regretted sharing her story, showing up more vulnerably, and making decisions from a place of alignment and integrity.
When we allow our story to be at the center we start making decisions with it in mind. This allows us to take our next right step with confidence.
And if that sounds good to you but you’re still feeling scared or hesitant or like your story doesn’t matter then hear this. Everything has already been said but it hasn’t been said by you and someone somewhere is waiting to connect with you. Someone needs to hear exactly what you need to say.
If you’re feeling the nudge, give in to it. Don’t wait for perfect timing because that doesn’t exist. If it is on your heart, give it some space to breathe, and then allow yourself to be transformed by that.
Q: If people want to connect with you, what is the best way? Where can they find you?
Right here. I show up in this space at least twice a week. But I am most active on Instagram so come follow me there for sure.