We were lucky to catch up with Amy Matthews recently and have shared our conversation below.

Amy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My LLC is called Trailblazer Wellness. I didn’t have a lot of luck using traditional methods and medicines to address some of my health issues. However, I ended up blazing my unique trail to wellness when I discovered how the Cannabis plant could help me. That caused me to become certified as a Cannabis & Wellness Coach.

I know the idea of coaching and educating people about the Cannabis plant and managing our nervous systems is a newer concept. However, I believe this information and these concepts can make it possible for people to move through their lives much more easily, a trailblazing idea.

Something about the idea of referring to yourself as a Trailblazer is empowering. It’s empowering for me, and I want it to empower everyone that works with me. We aren’t bystanders in our life.

I created The Grow House Community to support my fellow coaches, wellness entrepreneurs, and educators. I want to help them grow their businesses. I loved naming that goal right in the name. I believe the key is working in community with each other. The development should be personal as well as business oriented.

That’s why the support and education I try to offer business owners focuses on everything from personal growth to providing expert speakers and resources on business tools and programs. All these things matter when you are building your business and your brand.

I am determined to make business building more fun in the community. I don’t want my community to get burned out and give up. Too many people can benefit from what they have to offer.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have been a business consultant for many years to non-profits, businesses, and politicians. I assist clients with logo design, copywriting, marketing, branding, program design, event planning, and more.

My story of arriving in the Cannabis space is like many others. I was seeking some answers for myself. I grew up as a child of the Just Say No movement, and I took that seriously. I came to Cannabis as an adult in my late 30s after struggling to overcome some hurdles with traditional medical approaches.

When I started getting results, I wanted to know more. So, in 2019, I attended the Cannabis Coaching Institute and became a Certified Cannabis & Wellness Coach. I went on to get other certifications from the Trichome Institute as well.

I have a reputation as someone who studies things and takes them seriously when they can help someone improve their lives. I always desire to be a resource for others. It became clear that helping those who needed information about the Cannabis plant was in line with my mission.

In early 2021 I returned to the Cannabis Coaching Institute as a Graduate Mentor. I enjoyed it. I got to pass on the knowledge I had gained over the last few years and support these new students.

While there, I wanted to support them in business building once they got their certification. That led to the next phase of my career.

Now I provide coaching and education to people on using the plant and various wellness approaches to meet their goals through Trailblazer Wellness.

I also coach my colleagues who need extra support with their business goals through The Grow House Community. I want my colleagues to succeed so we can expand our reach to those that desire education and support. I want people to see that this is a groundbreaking profession that deserves respect. There is a whole community of us!

I believe my purpose on this planet is to make the lives of others easier. Through my businesses, Trailblazer Wellness and The Grow House Community, and the collaborative newsletter I work on called The Effective Cannabis Newsletter, I am working towards maintaining that goal daily.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

The pandemic made many of us pivot. I am no exception. I had to pivot in every way. It created an emotional crunch that made us look at ourselves. I saw someone who had done a lot of work on herself over the years and had come far, but there was still something holding me back from genuinely putting myself and all I had to offer into the world. Before the pandemic, I liked to hide behind anonymity a little more. I think I wasn’t confident yet that what I had to offer would resonate with others.

During this time, someone told me, “It doesn’t matter how many degrees you have. We all still have imposter syndrome”. I found that to be so freeing. I thought what I had to offer wasn’t enough, and the big secret is that MOST of us feel that way! Suddenly, it put me back on par with my peers and colleagues. It changed my mindset.

The pandemic brought forward the things that triggered me the most. There was a lot of fear and uncertainty. I had to look at it as something guaranteed to break me or something that would forge me like steel. I chose the latter. I saw the opportunity that allowed me to grow my online community and online business when we all went to work online. I am grateful for the attitude shift that has made me no longer afraid of building my business and putting myself out there. I know the strength I took from this experience helps me support my clients.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I am known as someone organized and very intentional about everything I do. I have cultivated a reputation as someone that takes the time to notice the efforts of others and let them know what I see they have to offer the world. People say I have a unique ability to see the big picture when looking at challenges.

It’s exciting because even though it was hard to do for myself, I can see the skills and gifts in others. This gift helps me support them in developing their business ideas, logos, etc.

I have also made it a point to network with authenticity. I don’t show up somewhere with the intention to network. Instead, I show up knowing I will meet great people who should collaborate with others I know. So, I introduce this friend to that, and they make a podcast episode. Or I pair up someone learning to be a professional speaker with another so they can share resources and support each other. It makes me very happy to facilitate these opportunities.

I am also known for creating excellent graphics and cohesive branding. All these things help cultivate trust amongst clients, peers, and colleagues.

Whether they are a coaching client or colleague in my community, people know I take my integrity seriously, and I would never intentionally steer them wrong. These things have made me proud of the reputation I have built.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.growhousecommunity.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-lansford-matthews/

Image Credits
Camille Percy Branding