I was Googling because my son was having some trouble focusing…and I started seeing (more content online about) ADHD, like maybe you have ADHD. Try a supplement for ADHD. And I’m like, well, this sounds exactly like me!
– Amanda when she started to connect ADHD symptoms with herself
Finding Clarity in Chaos: How ADHD Shaped Amanda’s Career
The global pandemic changed the way we work, opening up new opportunities and challenges for professionals across industries. In this episode of the Work From Home Forever podcast, we explore the remarkable journey of Amanda Austin, a seasoned marketing consultant with over two decades of experience. Amanda’s story is a testament to resilience, self-discovery, and the transformative power of remote work.
The Corporate Odyssey
Before the pandemic, Amanda Austin was deeply entrenched in the corporate world, most recently serving as a marketing specialist at a biotechnology company. Her career was marked by constant change, including a series of acquisitions that reshaped her role. As a one-person marketing department, Amanda faced unique challenges, but it was her relationship with her manager that ultimately prompted her to reassess her career path.
The Transition to Remote Work
Like many professionals, Amanda’s life took a dramatic turn when the pandemic hit, forcing her and her colleagues into remote work. Amanda initially believed that this transition would ease the tensions with her supervisor. However, she quickly discovered that remote work came with its own set of communication challenges that strained her relationship with her boss.
A Shift in Priorities
The pandemic brought about a profound shift in Amanda’s priorities. As a mother of young children, Amanda began to question the cost of her corporate career on her well-being and family life. A year into the pandemic, the toll on her health became evident, resulting in higher blood pressure and panic attacks.
The Transition: Forging a New Path
Understanding what truly mattered, Chris redirected his career trajectory. Networking with Ramit Sethi’s team and creating online educational content marked his pivot into the business world. It was a transformative moment that laid the foundation for his journey as a remote work advocate.
A Bold Decision
Following a contentious meeting with her boss, Amanda made a life-altering choice. Instead of waiting to be reprimanded in an impending meeting, she took control of her destiny by preemptively resigning from her corporate role. This was a courageous move, especially considering she had no immediate job lined up.
Embracing the Freedom of Remote Work
During the first year of remote work, Amanda experienced a profound revelation. She discovered that she didn’t need the confines of an office to be productive and successful. The rigid structure of corporate life was replaced with the flexibility and autonomy that remote work offered.
Rekindling Creativity
Amanda’s creative spirit had long been stifled by the corporate bureaucracy, which prioritized meetings and logistics over innovation. Her pursuit of a senior leadership role in marketing had shifted into a desire to be her own boss and unleash her creativity. She faced skepticism from her former boss but persisted in starting her own company, Honeycomb Marketing, in May 2021.
A Personal Revelation
While researching solutions for her son’s focus issues, Amanda uncovered an unexpected revelation about herself. Many of the symptoms associated with ADHD resonated with her. Seeking professional confirmation, Amanda discovered that she, like many other women, had been diagnosed later in life or frequently misdiagnosed.
The ADHD Advantage
Amanda’s ADHD diagnosis was not a limitation but a catalyst for her remote work journey. Some days, she felt fatigued and lacked creative energy. The routine of commuting to the office drained her, resulting in unproductive workdays. Remote work, however, allowed her to harness her energy and creativity to serve her clients effectively.
Balancing Work and Motherhood
One of the pivotal advantages of remote work for Amanda was the ability to balance her roles as a mother of three and an entrepreneur. As her own boss, she had the flexibility to allocate time for her children, run errands, and attend doctor appointments. The autonomy she gained was invaluable in managing the demands of both work and family life.
The Empowerment of Entrepreneurship
Amanda’s experience also sheds light on the challenges faced by working moms in traditional corporate settings. The whispers and judgments regarding working moms taking time off or working from home when their children were sick caused immense anxiety. By starting her own firm, Amanda took back control of her schedule and answered only to herself.
A Journey Rooted in Purpose
The decision to embark on her entrepreneurial journey was deeply rooted in Amanda’s personal history. She had explored various side hustles since the birth of her children, including a mommy blog that evolved into freelance writing and social media marketing. The dream of becoming her own boss had been a commitment to her mother, who tragically passed away in 2017. Amanda registered her business, Honeycomb Marketing, on the day her mother passed, honoring her memory and the endearing nickname, “honey.”
A Family’s Support and Sacrifices
Transitioning from a secure W2 job to entrepreneurship was a significant leap for Amanda. She consulted her husband and family, considering the financial impact and the effect on their family dynamic. Despite the initial sacrifices, the decision improved their quality of life, allowing for extended vacations and cherished family moments. In a recent road trip from Florida to New York City, Amanda’s family enjoyed a two-week adventure, an experience that would have been impossible in her previous corporate role.
Amanda’s journey is a testament to the remarkable transformations made possible by remote work and entrepreneurship. Her story reflects the changing landscape of work, the power of self-discovery, and the enduring connection between personal dreams and family legacies. Amanda’s path exemplifies the possibilities that remote work offers in terms of work-life balance, creativity, and the pursuit of individual passions. It’s a journey that resonates with the modern
Connect with Amanda
- 🔗 LinkedIn: Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn.
- 🔗 Honeycomb Marketing: For DIY Marketing services or fractional Chief Marketing Officer services, connect with Amanda on her company, Honeycomb Marketing.
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Q & A with Amanda
Why did you want to Work From Home Forever?
- Like many people, I was sent home to work during the pandemic and never went back! However, I took it a step further by quitting corporate completely. I found it so much better for my mental health to be at home. I was less distracted and could have a much better work life balance. I was in charge of my own life for the first time in my career. I could never go back to the old way!
How long have you been Working From Home, Forever?
- 3.5 years.
What trade offs, if any, did you make in order to Work From Home Forever?
- I’m making less money. My kids are home when they aren’t at school so I have to work weird hours sometimes to get it all in!
How do you manage work/life balance Working From Home, Forever?
- I give myself grace to do what I can and try not to stress about the rest. I have an office and shut the door when I need to concentrate. My dad loves with me and helps with the kids.
What’s your best advice to others who want to Work From Home Forever?
- Treat your WFH day like you were at an office. Get up at the same time, wear “real” clothes, dedicate a workspace.
What are your three must-haves to Work From Home, Forever?
- Dedicated home office, high speed WiFi, and great coffee!
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