We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Amanda Chase. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Amanda below.
Amanda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today The first dollar you earn in a new endeavor is always special. We’d love to hear about how you got your first client that wasn’t a friend or family.
The story of how I landed my first client is one that is for the books. It is a true story of following my intuition, taking a risk, and the power of asking for help. In June 2016, I walked into the hotel lobby to have an intimate conversation with my boss and the business manager for my annual review. I had been working as a Studio Coordinator for a digital content creation studio and blogger, wearing multiple hats, “paying my dues”, and deeply in need for a pay raise. I walked into the meeting wanting one thing: to ask to be promoted to a Wellness Editor, a position that I was already fulfilling and was a huge need for the studio just as holistic wellness was on a steep incline for our audience. The request was turned down and it was obvious for both myself and my employer that me staying in my current position was no longer aligned. I walked out and put my two-weeks in. The following day, I asked if I could spend some time (once my days work was complete) during those two-weeks to start looking for a new job. Thankfully, they agreed. I emailed +40 people whom I had been connected with over the past year, people who worked in positions or for brands that I admired, and asked them for an informal interview. Over the span of two-weeks, 25 people agreed to meet me for coffee. I spent every waking minute I could coordinating coffee dates with all of them all over NYC and Brooklyn. I learned a lot and a month later, after a lot of trust and devotion that it was all going to work out (hint: lots of morning pages, meditation, and praying) I received three offers from brands who were looking for a freelancer/consultant as opposed to being able to hire me full-time. I said yes, and 6-years later, the rest is history.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
I am the Founder of ōSHen, a content creation studio for visionary brands. Through a variety of offerings and services, I help conscious entrepreneurs create the brand of their dreams through coaching, consulting, and e-course creation. My offerings range from 1:1 sessions, a community space called The Tide, 3-month long consulting retainers, and e-course packages to help brands scale. I am here to provide a nurturing space for all conscious entrepreneurs to make something of substance!
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
The importance of building a brand foundation. I started my business because I had a passion for content creation and desired to work for holistic wellness practitioners. I grew fast and without the proper structure to support that growth. A couple years into running my own business, things took a turn for the worse and I had to re-learn the importance of brand foundations so that I could have the stability to grow with integrity and strength. It is now the core of my teachings here at ōSHen and the very starting point for all of my clients no matter where in their journey they are today. Because, without the foundation in place, you can not grow with ease and happiness – and for myself and my clients involved, their work is their dharma; something that provides immense purpose and service. It’s imperative for the health and well-being for my clients that they are able to have a sustainable, integral, and profitable service-based business!
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
The creative of a brand tells your audience your entire story in less than 3 seconds. The importance of creative services is more important that you realize. It informs your audience of the things they care most about: the values, the worth of your product/services, the entire brand essence. Investing in creative services and strategy is the most important component you can do for your brand and why its important to reflect your essence properly.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.oshencreative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.oshen/
Image Credits
Paula Bartosiewicz