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

Amanda, appreciate you joining us today. The more we talk about good leadership the more we think good leadership practices will spread and so we’d love for you to tell us a story about the best boss you’ve had and what they were like or what they did that was so great?

The best boss I ever had was my first one right out of college. He believed in me before I even fully believed in myself. From the moment I started, he could see my passion and talents and didn’t just accept them—he celebrated them. He recognized what I was capable of, and instead of putting me in a standard role, he created an entirely new position tailored to my skills and interests.

What stood out the most was the autonomy he gave me. He trusted me to take ownership of my role and grow into it at my own pace. No micromanagement, no hovering, just the space and freedom to flourish. And flourish I did. He not only promoted me but did so with complete confidence, even when I was still figuring out a lot of things. That confidence in me was contagious—it helped me build the confidence I needed to trust my instincts and abilities.

But it wasn’t just that he was a great leader—he was passionate about his work. Every day, he brought enthusiasm and joy to what he did, and it was infectious. I didn’t realize at the time how rare that was, but after I left the company and worked under other leaders who didn’t possess the same passion or belief in their team, I quickly understood how special my experience had been.

The poor leadership I encountered in those other jobs only fueled my desire to step out on my own and start my own business. And who was there to support me? That first boss. Not only did he back my entrepreneurial dreams, but he also became a valued partner and an amazing client referral source. His support has meant the world to me, and I’m forever grateful for the leadership, mentorship, and friendship he gave me.

Without him, I don’t think I would have had the courage to pursue this path.

Amanda, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi there! I’m Amanda, and I specialize in helping entrepreneurs and solopreneurs build and grow their brands through smart, authentic marketing strategies. After years of working in marketing agencies, I realized my true passion is working 1-on-1 with clients and guiding them as they navigate the ever changing marketing and business world—toward marketing success in a way that feels real and sustainable.

I’m one of those unicorns who is still working in the field I majored in in college. My whole world is marketing—I eat sleep and breathe marketing. I also have a passion for small businesses. My dad owned and operated his own business, and I have helped my husband run his own small food truck business as well. It’s in my blood, heart and soul. That also makes me protective of small business owners, too. I want to cheer you on, support you, and go to bat for you.

Through my work, I offer services like one-on-one marketing strategy sessions, content planning support, and coaching programs for entrepreneurs who want guidance on how to create strong, authentic brands. What sets me apart is my approach: I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all strategy. Instead, I get to know each client’s unique goals, challenges, and personality, and tailor my support to help them shine in their own way.

I love making marketing make sense for business owners and figuring out what makes it click for them. I believe marketing should be fun, not something they dread. When clients feel stuck or overwhelmed, I’m here to give them clarity and confidence, so they can focus on what they do best.

I’m most proud of the community I’ve built—working with so many amazing people who are taking bold steps to grow their businesses and lead with authenticity.

If there’s one thing I want potential clients or followers to know, it’s that I’m here to support them in a way that’s real, approachable, and tailored to their specific needs. I’m passionate about helping people feel confident in their marketing and build a brand they’re truly proud of. It’s not about hacks, trends, or fancy gimmicks—it’s about understanding what works for YOU and making sure you have the right strategies to move forward with clarity and purpose.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think what has helped me build my reputation within my market is my commitment to authenticity and always showing up as myself. From the start, I’ve made it a priority to share my expertise and insights without gatekeeping. I believe in providing value upfront—whether that’s through free resources, blog posts, or social media content—because I genuinely want to help others succeed. When people can see that you’re real and transparent, it builds trust, and trust is everything.

Consistency has also played a huge role. I’ve shown up regularly, providing relevant, actionable advice, and keeping the conversation going. This consistency allows my audience to rely on me as a steady source of support. But beyond just being consistent, I make it a point to serve my audience first. I focus on their needs and challenges, always striving to offer content and services that speak directly to what they’re struggling with.

By combining authenticity, generosity with my knowledge, and a consistent approach to serving my community, I’ve been able to build strong relationships that have helped me grow my reputation in my market. I think the key has been staying true to who I am and always putting my audience’s needs ahead of my own.

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

One of the most defining moments of my journey that really tested my resilience happened after I left my last job at a 150-person agency. I had been feeling the toll of a toxic work culture for a while, and when I finally made the decision to leave, I thought I was stepping into something better—my own business, my own rules. But instead of just letting me go, the company actually sued me for “unfair competition”.

Here’s the kicker: I was one person, and I didn’t take a single client or piece of intellectual property with me. I simply wanted out of the toxic environment they had created. But their legal team didn’t care about the facts. They actually told their lawyers—who relayed it to mine—that they wanted to “make an example” of me. They thought they could intimidate me, that I wouldn’t fight back. They thought they could bully me into backing down and giving them whatever they wanted.

They were wrong.

I fought them for six months. It was one of the most stressful periods of my life, but it also taught me something important: I was in the right, and I wasn’t going to let them walk all over me. I stood my ground, and in the end, they dropped the case.

That experience, as exhausting and nerve-wracking as it was, solidified for me that I had made the right decision to leave. It also fueled my desire to succeed in my own business, to show them (and everyone) that I could thrive on my terms. It taught me resilience in the face of intimidation and adversity, and it pushed me to prove to myself and others that I wasn’t afraid to fight for what I believed in.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.2lsmarketing.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2lsmarketing_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2LsMarketing
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandaholliday/

Image Credits

Hope Kaufman