We were lucky to catch up with Amanda Harrison recently and have shared our conversation below.

Amanda, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share a story with us from back when you were an intern or apprentice? Maybe it’s a story that illustrates an important lesson you learned or maybe it’s a just a story that makes you laugh (or cry)? Looking back at internships and apprenticeships can be interesting, because there is so much variety in people’s experiences – and often those experiences inform our own leadership style.

I landed my first position as a corporate manager somewhat by default after the previous manager had been dismissed for theft. It was definitely a long process to get things organized and running efficiently again. Although I had never held a corporate management role before, I was well-equipped with the self-discipline, organization, and attention to detail needed to take on the challenge and succeed.

Among my many responsibilities were payroll administration, liability insurance oversight, scheduling, human resources, and accounts payable. The greatest challenge, however, was mastering QuickBooks to become the company’s formal in-house bookkeeper.

The company supported my development by paying for training sessions at an accounting firm, where I learned to navigate QuickBooks Online — including reconciliation, journal entries, and depreciation tracking. I was also trained in filing and paying sales tax. Later, I completed an official QuickBooks certification course and passed the proctored exam at the Intuit testing center in Las Vegas, earning my QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification in 2023.

There were certainly challenges along the way, but each one strengthened my understanding of what it takes to improve and grow every day. It helps that I’ve always been a bit addicted to learning and personal development.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My story is one of grit, growth, and second chances. What sets me apart from most professionals is not just what I do, but how far I’ve come to do it. Ten years ago, my life looked nothing like it does today. I went through a season of failure, addiction, and rebuilding from the ground up — and that journey shaped the leader and entrepreneur I am today.

I take that same perseverance and apply it to every task I carry. I approach everything as an exhilarating opportunity to grow — education has become my new addiction, and I’m passionate about making a real difference in people’s lives. Whether it’s helping clients organize their finances through bookkeeping, managing and motivating a team, or guiding families through the purchase or sale of a home, I bring dedication, empathy, and structure to everything I do.

Every chapter of my story has reinforced the same truth: transformation is possible when you refuse to give up. My goal now is to use my experience, both personal and professional, to help others find clarity, stability, and success — no matter where they’re starting from.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

There was a time when I struggled deeply. I faced addiction, poor choices, and the heavy consequences that came with them. I fell hard — but I refused to stay there. Through relentless effort, accountability, and faith, I rebuilt my life piece by piece. The road wasn’t easy, but it taught me resilience, humility, and the power of second chances.

Some of the most impressive human beings I know have made occasional flawed decisions. But speaking toward that same truth we are all, infact, human. We learn and grow from our missteps. I wasted my time in countless shallow relationships, invested energy through the wrong channels and missed priceless moments with everyone I’ve ever loved including myself. I stopped writing & reading, loving & breathing as the addict apocalypse engulfed this nation. In those moments I can unequivocally say I lost footing in my self-worth, neglected my perspective and misplaced my purpose. Nothing I had represented for the longest time had been any reflection of the best me. &At 29 years old- in an empty cell with nothing but books at my side I felt as though I was just barely showing up for life- analyzing my faith, questioning my perspective and reiterating my version of the truth. Rewriting my disconnects- I vowed to let my good acts outweigh any bad I had previously brought to this world. My prison sentence wasn’t a conclusion it was a redemption.

I’m doing today what no one ever foresaw for my future. There isn’t a single person who would have guessed that I could climb the corporate ladder with such tenacity, or that I would one day earn and be granted a real estate license. Everyone — from seasoned real estate professionals to online forums — told me it couldn’t be done, that felons couldn’t become agents. But I refused to accept that. I petitioned two state boards, made my case, and earned their approval. And here I stand — proof that perseverance, integrity, and faith can rewrite any narrative.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Aside from my corporate management position, I also operate two businesses that require consistent investment and funding to grow: Bookkeeping by Amanda LLC and Amanda Harrison PLLC, my real estate PLLC. To keep both ventures strong, I’ve built a disciplined system of saving and reinvesting.

A set percentage of every paycheck I earn is automatically allocated across multiple savings accounts — one for emergencies, one for joint investments with my husband, and one for my personal business ventures. The money is transferred before I ever have the chance to see or spend it, so when new opportunities arise — whether it’s marketing, memberships, licensing fees, or software — the funds are already waiting for me.

Money is all about perception. If I see a large amount of money sitting in one bank account, my mind immediately starts spinning with ways to spend or invest the entire amount. But when that same money is separated into different accounts — for investments, savings, and personal expenses — it creates structure and discipline. My brain understands that certain amounts are already “spoken for,” and what’s left is what’s truly available.

Perspective is everything, and this system helps me reinforce that mindset. It keeps me intentional with my spending, focused on growth, and confident that I’m building something sustainable rather than reactionary.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://booksbyamandallc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda.harrison_realtor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amanda.doyle.16718
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-harrison-1a2200351/
• Other: http://soldbyamandaharrison.com/