We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amanda Mignogna a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Amanda, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. 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

For years, I dreamed of being my own boss, in control of my time and choices. When Covid hit and I was laid off, it felt like my world was turned upside down. But instead of settling for what I knew, I saw it as a blessing in disguise—a chance to reinvent myself.

I threw myself into learning so many things! I wanted to give myself all the options possible. I grew my graphic design talents, taught myself video editing (which became an exciting new skill), read books, took a ton of online courses, and learned from those who knew more than me and were willing to teach me.

I also wanted to be more organized and efficient, so I focused on improving my administrative and management skills. I read more books, took additional courses, and applied everything I learned to small projects. Each step built my confidence and skill set.

The real turning point came when I took a course that connected me with clients who became new friends and a company that nurtured my growth. This opened doors I never imagined possible.

Through this journey, I’ve met incredible people who have enriched my life, both professionally and personally. I’ve learned so much about resilience, creativity, and the importance of following your passion. This journey has also brought me closer to my family, helping me become a better wife and mother.

With the love and support of my family, who are nothing but encouraging, I made the best decision ever. It led me to a life filled with passion, fulfillment, and balance. I am truly living my dream, and I couldn’t be happier.

Amanda, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m fortunate to live in a small town close to my family, where I get to see my nephews, niece, and my energetic 6-year-old son grow up together. My wonderful husband, who has always been my biggest fan, encourages me even on my toughest days, reminding me that I have everything I need to make my dreams come true.

Professionally, I wear multiple hats and cherish each one:

**Travel Agent for Second Story Travel**: Specializing in Disney/Universal vacations, I create magical experiences for others while getting to explore new adventures myself from traveling to California or multiple adventures to Disney and Universal for not just myself but for my family too.

**Education/Event Coordinator for the North Alabama Nurse Practitioner Association**: This role allows me to give back to the community by supporting local Nurse Practitioners.

**Marketing Manager for YML**: I work with an amazing group of women who value work/life balance, fostering a supportive and empowering environment.

**Freelance Consultant**: I assist my clients with events, social media, graphic design, video editing and company growth, bringing their visions to life.

**Substitute Teacher**: Occasionally, I get to spend even more time with the children in my life, enriching my connection with the community.

Balancing these roles is a labor of love, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Every day brings new opportunities to learn, grow, and make a difference in the lives of those around me.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the hardest lessons I had to learn was to pick my battles. When you are first starting out on your own, you want to grab every customer possible, every opportunity that comes your way to help give yourself stability and to be able to provide for your family. I had to learn how to say No. How to know when a customer or a job did not align with what I wanted for my future, professionally and personally. Thanks to my parents I’ve always been a hard worker and I never turned down a task given to me. In the beginning I had a client that after a time showed me that we were not a great fit. Financially yes it helped but the mental strain that it took on me and my family ended up becoming to much. So after many discussions and some heart searching I had to let her go. But it opened up the path for so much more in my life, so I know I made the right decision to part ways.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

There were many times when I thought about quitting. I felt pressured to find a job with a stable income to support my family. I took on various small jobs to make ends meet, but it never seemed like enough. I had heartfelt discussions with my husband and family about potentially changing our lifestyle and my career path. These talks were tough because I feared disappointing them and myself. One evening, my husband and I sat down to discuss our options. He listened to my worries and encouraged me to keep going, reminding me why I started this journey in the first place. Despite my fears, I persisted, focusing on my strengths and seeking advice from mentors. Gradually, things improved. I gained clients who valued my work, and their support boosted my confidence. Reflecting on those challenging times, I realize they made me stronger and more committed to pursuing my dreams, even when it felt like the hardest choice. I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magicaltravelagent2022/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mandiewithsecondstorytravel

Image Credits

Image credits: Michelle Roe (my sister)