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

Amanda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I was in my late 20’s. My 4th company, a downtown Chicago investment firm, melted in the 2008 “recession” and I wanted to begin resting in life as a wife and mother, but so much of my identity was rooted in “taking care of myself” and making my own money.

I didn’t how know to genuinely receive love…. or give it for that matter. And in a sincere moment of prayer, I asked God “What am I going to do”? And with clarity I heard Him say, “Go into music”.

Music had always been a hobby, but as fate would have it, I went to a Shane and Shane concert and was transformed. The experience was so intimate, transparent and healing, that with tears pouring, I instantly knew I was suppose to be on that stage, doing for others what they were doing for me.

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.

Gratefully, my introduction to music started in a South Side Chicago Black church with my AMAZING DAD, Danny Hunt, (whom I lovingly call “Black Sinatra”..lol) leading and directing the choirs. In my mind, everyone who touched that mic, could sing the house down and every Sunday was such a moving, electric encounter that I looked forward to it weekly. For Years!!!! The downside is I did not recognize how special my voice was because it seemed EVERYONE could sing. And frankly, I could not do some of the elaborate, vocal tricks that I witnessed regularly, so (by comparison) not only was I not special, I was not even that good.

Attached to that lie, was witnessing several artist, that I love, be taken advantage of and even cheated, so I vowed that the music industry was not for me. You can see a live video of my journey here [ https://youtu.be/7fLMD7-toow ].

So through my childhood and young adult life, I’m singing, touring, supporting choirs and celebrity vocalist but only as a hobby. I could never allow myself to fully commit because in my mind I would only wind up 1. Poor 2. Overworked 3. Abused and I wanted music to stay fun.

To gain power, control and freedom for myself and my family, I devoted my life to learning and mastering entrepreneurship. My first company was a production company that I started in college followed up by a legal franchise. After graduating, I coached leadership development and then started an investment firm. I was miserable. It all felt HARD. I was becoming tired and burned out and I had fallen in love with my now husband. A softer, tender side of me was emerging, but I had never seen or met the type of woman I felt myself desiring to become. It felt like a betrayal. How could I want something different, when everyone was so impressed with who I was and I had devoted so much time to creating her. My love however, Ashanti, knew the truth and began prompting me to record some of the songs I hearing in my head. It felt foreign, it was uncomfortable, it was freedom. God was introducing me to myself; and He even began using our strong desire to create a family. I started asking myself hard questions like “What do I really want”? “What do I want to model for my children”? “What does my faith in action, really look like”?

I sensed it was time to officially record an album and create a course [ https://youtu.be/YAa5Y7-rCcE ], teaching vocal technique and courage, but learning how to BE a present wife and mother took priority over marketing it, and so I chose mastering a harmonious lifestyle, trusting that God would reveal the ideal help and timing for such a new business venture.

We lost our child, and it rocked our world! Ashanti and I battled poverty, family trauma, isolation, and so much more together, but this straw nearly took us both out. Then limping, I began to see God’s heart and guidance. One big transition happened when hubby and I visited a NPR Moth storytelling event. God says- “sign up and tell your story”. I had been shrinking in pain and asking aloooooot of “Why” and “How” questions and this was His response. “Go tell your story”. I just knew this was insane. The room was full of hundreds of strangers and although the selection process was “random” I was certain I’d be picked. Sure enough as contestant #6, I surfaced as the champion and knew, that it was time to prepare for the stage.
See the Moth story here [ https://youtu.be/e8qSeLTZlFs ]

Between breast feedings and Saturday voice coaching, I followed the desire to begin writing more songs, and in prayer was prompted to do a series of Home Concerts [ https://youtu.be/sLrZRTBCVpI ] during the pandemic. To me this was more insanity “why would anyone want to do this, when people are dying.”

They all SOLD OUT and we knew we were on to something. Now I curate high-end, boutique music experiences and artist retreats, while developing additional revenue through licensing. Creatives are often stunted or cease trying in their expression and growth because of negative thinking patterns, triggering past experiences or overly complicated lifestyles. I serve my audience and music creatives in helping them discover, heal, restore and expand through soulful music, professional coaching and immersive retreats.

Amandais.com

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I owned a downtown Chicago investment firm that diversified portfolios in commodities. It took a lot of studying and negotiating and patience and it melted in 2008 with the recession. I was horrified and relieved.

“How could so much effort, evaporate so fast”? “Where did all the money go”? “If I had the courage to start fresh and I wasn’t afraid of being poor, what would I do with my life”?

Music and Coaching was it. They were the only two things that I’d been doing for free, for all of my life, and if I was going to spend my life building something from scratch again, this time, I was going to learn how to enjoy doing it.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Age is an illusion.

Technically I jumped into the music industry, past my prime. As an artist, label executives are very transparent about informing you that your market value expires at age 27, so you better get signed early and build a loyal audience.

But if you’re me (smirk) and you prefer freedom of choice and you trust your God given instincts, and you’re not afraid to discipline your desires so you can build EXACTLY what you want, then 42 years old is the perfect time to be a star.

Contact Info:

• Website: Amandais.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandamuxic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmandaMuxic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AmandaMuxic

Image Credits
Yolanda at Imagery by Chioma Tanikia Carpenter