We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amanda Moo Smalligan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Amanda Moo, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s one of the most important lessons you learned in school?
My self drive can be traced back to a young age. My dad fondly tells stories of how I took my play kitchen out to the sidewalk and started business, would teach school as a form of play, and bossed everyone. When it came to actual school, I was a sponge to soak up new things and perfect my passions. Practice is the biggest lesson I learned throughout it all.
In 5th grade I began playing the flute despite how bad I was and the shape of my lips didn’t mimic the instruction guides. I struggled to tears and thought I would need to change instruments. I learned to read music and key the instrument. The sound was less than desired and ironically before the big, spring concert we moved.
The new school didn’t have band class until 6th grade and my mom asked if I could join the 6th graders for the rest of the year. They said yes, if the teacher said yes. I was nervous, felt like my mom lied to the school, and entered a very large, band room which made me feel small. Saw the teacher, said our greetings, sat down just the two of us, and I put my flute together. He asked me what I planned to play at the band concert at my old school and I said “nothing” because I couldn’t really play.
He laughed and asked me to play the music out of the book so I did and it was awful. He then asked me to relax my mouth and say the letter “M” and try again. I played and it sounded GOOD! Within minutes of receiving embouchure coaching, I had a new teacher. He let me into the class as long as I promised to practice every day and play out of a new book he gave me. I said yes to the terms. I kept playing, progressed well, and my parents never had to tell me to practice. I wanted to.
I still have my flute and it is in working condition. I practice often and always start by saying the letter “M” with my lips. The biggest lesson to me is the importance of practice time and effort.
Amanda Moo, 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?
For over 10 years now, teaching hot yoga at the Funky Buddha Yoga Hothouse in West Michigan keeps me busy. Around 2016, I began teaching SUP yoga for the studio until 2020 when they sold their boards. I joyfully continue to teach hot yoga weekly at Funky Buddha.
In 2021, someone called the yoga studio in need of a SUP Instructor and boards. By that summer I was hired to teach SUP to youth in Michigan for Chill.org on rented boards. This was one of the most enjoyable experiences as a SUP Instructor and my first paid gig teaching SUP to youth. At the end of the season, a problem came up with the rental company that jeopardized the Chill program in 2022. This is the moment I decided to put together a trailer with boards and start my own SUP business to fill the need for SUP Instructors in West Michigan.
As owner and operator of Small SUP, I teach paddle board to youth and adults in West Michigan. All gear is provided: board, paddle, leash, life vest, and anchor. I am available for 1:1 sessions, excursions, and custom experiences. My signature class is Paddle & Play which combines safety, paddle skills, and fun. I also continue to teach anchored yoga sessions.
The brand and name is play on my last name, Smalligan. Small SUP is a portable business which is great in Michigan because it is a water wonderland.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
To unlearn self-imposed age limits that I am too old to be boarding. When students or clients find out my age range is in the 40’s it reminds me that I once thought it was “too late” in life to start Small SUP when in fact it was perfect timing.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
Word-of-mouth. Several clients have found me through a friend or saw my name shared on a photo of someone tagged on social media. Often I meet new clients as I am out practicing at the lake by myself or leading a class. When onlookers are brave enough to ask me questions about paddle boarding I spend the time to chat.
Contact Info:
- Website: smallsup.com
- Instagram: smallsup_mi
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-smalligan-5847bb1a3/