Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Norton.
Amanda, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am the oldest of 6 kids and the only daughter. Growing up, we didn’t have a lot. There was a lot of chaos during childhood and my parents divorced when I was 7. I am a survivor of child abuse and sexual assault. My mom turned things around when I was a teenager and went back to school for a degree in accounting. I am very proud of her for going back to school as a single parent of 6 children. She continues to be a supportive and loving mother and grandmother, and I am grateful she is my Mom.
Growing up with 5 brothers in rural Upstate NY in the 90’s created a love of nature at an early age. We played outside all the time. I remember swimming in the creek, catching crayfish and frogs, and starting my first flower garden. My grandfather was a avid gardener, but unfortunately died when I was only 10. Some of my happiest childhood memories are of picking blueberries in Papa’s garden. I liked the sour ones. My grandparents house was my favorite place in the whole world.
When we moved to Ilion NY and I was about 12 years old, I didn’t plan on being here almost 30 years later. We had moved so much when I was young that I could never expect to set down roots. After graduating high school, moving out on my own, going to a local community college, having a child, and purchasing my first home here in Ilion, I can now say this is my home. I don’t always love it, but it’s my home and I make the best of it.
I work as a Customer Service Professional. I have developed communication skills and intuition that allows me to understand what customers needs and wants are. I enjoy helping others, and I take pride in being of service. Whether I’m selling baby furniture, flowers, or cutting tools my skill set crosses many different industries and I enjoy making connections with people. I learned a lot about leadership and management working at McDonald’s, and while I am grateful for the experience, I hope I’ll never have to wear that horrible uniform ever again.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Life seems full of struggles, doesn’t it? I think that life is full of peaks and valleys, times of ease and times of hardship. Being a child in a domestic violence situation certainly didn’t help, and growing up “poor” didn’t give me a lot of options. I believe my empathetic nature was born out of childhood hardship. I knew what it felt like to be the new kid at school (quite a few times), and I knew what it was like to wear “cheap” or hand-me-down clothes to school. I knew what it was like to make new friends over and over again, and the social anxiety grew with every school change.
I’ve never made a lot of money or been what I would consider “successful” in a financial sense. It’s been “paycheck-to-paycheck” most of my life. I was never taught to save money, but I was very good at spending it. When I had a child at the age 25, within the first 2 years of her life I myself became a single parent. These were some of the hardest moments of my life, and I have a community of people to thank for getting me through it. My mother, my close friends, my devoted co-workers, and my extended family were always there to support me.
Since meeting my husband, life has been pretty fantastic. Not only did I find the love of my life, but I now have a wonderful Step-Daughter whom I cherish deeply. We are a working class family with hardly any money in savings, and life can be really frustrating sometimes. We are currently parenting teenagers and first-time homeowners. On the bright side, we have a simple life and we have learned to find joy in the small things. It’s way easier said than done, but I wouldn’t want any other partner in this life or the next.
Starting a community garden was my answer to a horrible political climate in 2016. I remember trying to come up with ways I could make a difference in the world around me, and trying to find like-minded people in my community. Starting a non-profit organization, rallying volunteers, collaborating with community leaders, and fundraising took a lot of time and energy. This project has put my communication skills to the test, and it hasn’t been easy for a person who prefers the company of plants. I feel accomplished in a way that while the garden isn’t perfect, it has so much potential. I have learned how to build something from the bottom up, and let go when it’s the right time. Fun fact: no one does it alone. I have met so many amazing people through this work, and I am grateful for their continued friendship.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As I said before, I’m a Customer Service Professional. I currently work at Grippe Industrial Supply Company, a family-owned small business, selling industrial cutting tools and other needs for manufacturing. I specialize in management, operations, and customer relations. I am a skilled leader, and I enjoy making connections with people. I remember someone telling me that when a customer walks in “they are treated like they’re your new best friend.” and I take pride in making people feel welcome and empowered wherever they are. I excel at training and communication, and I love to learn. Kindness comes easily to me because I know what it feels like to be treated poorly, and I have very high standards of customer satisfaction.
I am most proud of the community garden and how far it’s come in the last 6-7 years. I am proud of how resilient I’ve been as a leader. I am also proud of the work I’ve put into myself so I can show up better for others. I am a better partner, parent, friend, and family-member because I’m doing the work to heal. I feel deeply and love endlessly. I am a loyal and good-hearted person. I wouldn’t say this makes me special or sets me apart from others, I am very much a “regular” person. I have talents in floral design, cooking, and growing things.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My spouse, Chris, has been the biggest supporter I’ve ever had in my life. He gets me. He truly loves me, and supports every fiber of my being. He has lifted me up on the darkest of days and I am fortunate to have such a supportive husband who is always there when I need him. He helps with the community garden, the kids, being a DIY homeowner, and in general makes my entire life much more tolerable with his sense of humor.
My mother, Patty, is my number 1 cheerleader. I would have been lost without her when my daughter was little and I was a single parent. It doesn’t matter what I’m doing, she thinks I’m the greatest. She still spoils me even though I’m grown.
I have so many supporters in my extended family. There are countless strong, amazing, supportive women in my corner. I have close relationships with many of my cousins and Aunts.
I have a wonderful friend and mentor in Bridget Grippe Foti, who is so down to earth and real. I can always count on her for the truth and support I need, and a good belly laugh. Betsy Busche, an incredibly intelligent and generous educator and flower grower who had brought me into the fold of the local flower industry without hesitation. She is always checking in on me and reminding me how great I am.
I had the most supportive management team when I was going through hard times as a new mother. Tiffany Brown, Tara Mitchell, and Kristine Bishal were some of the fantastic people responsible for all the success I had as a restaurant manager. They truly cared for me as a person, and they made a crappy job feel better with their devotion and strong work ethic. I miss working with them, and totally would again!
I have had a few friends for over 20 years, Amanda, Stephanie, Renee, Lisa, and Melanie who are always cheering me on, and are more like family to me now. My dear friend Katie, who I met while working at Whims-n-Doodles over 10 years ago. My beautiful, generous, honest, kind, and caring friend. Women that lift each other up is completely my vibe.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iliongrows/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iliongrows/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-norton-99961b230/
Image Credits
Amanda Norton
Photo of Waterfall Painting with floral arrangement: Mark DiOrio