Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amanda Marsh. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Amanda, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.
I work as a 1:1 coach for adults with disabilities. I started my business, Supported Steps, when the company I worked for closed its doors permanently, and many of my clients were left without services. Right now there is a huge need for these services, and many folks needing support wait months before they can find an appropriate provider.
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.
One of my closest friends, Darryn K. Robinson, a talented licensed Counselor MS, LPCC, inspired me to move into this field. She has worked directly with this population for close to a decade now, and years ago, she motivated me to make a career shift into the space of humanities and ultimately is the reason why I am here today. Supported Steps is dedicated to fostering the personal development of adults with disabilities by facilitating the acquisition of essential life skills. My work centers around creating a supportive environment where individuals can enhance their practical abilities and cultivate meaningful friendships. Through targeted interventions and community engagement initiatives, I strive to ensure the seamless integration of these individuals into the broader community. This approach aims to empower them to lead fulfilling lives and contribute meaningfully to society, promoting inclusivity and enhancing the overall well-being of the community at large.
Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?
In Southern California, life is expensive; I don’t need to tell readers that, and I was nervous about not having a reliable paycheck every two weeks. There were start-up costs and the lag of invoices being paid at the beginning stages of my business and from time to time. My business is a one-woman show for the most part, so when there are inevitable delays in an influx of capital, I only need to worry about myself, which takes the pressure off. Thankfully, I had people in my corner to lean on, and I knew I wouldn’t lose my shirt.’ There were times that I questioned whether I could make it. But I dedicated myself and stuck with it. I now have some reserves and feel confident I can keep this ship sailing.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
I am so fortunate to have a full client roster, and that has come through building genuine personal and business connections. I work with a subset of the population in a tight community. I have been so grateful for people like Jamaye Despaigne, a dedicated mother of two young adults I work with, who put me in touch with another dedicated mother, Kasey ‘SuperStar’ Howell, who sits on the board of the San Diego Autism Society, who works in the same space. She helped put me in touch with clients in need of my services and I later met Corie Slawson, who has been kind enough to pair me with clients. With the help and support of all these wonderful women I was able to expand my business to reach more clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.supportedsteps.com
- Instagram: @supportedstepssd