Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Brown.
Hi Amanda, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started off graduating with a degree in Communications and an undergraduate degree in Psychology on the east coast, and dove into various business ventures (Healthcare, clean air quality) and immersed myself into local communities. As I started to build connections, I realized I had a knack for being with people and began joining boards committees and really loved being out there in a grassroots perspective. I then moved to San Diego and did everything from public relations to events and sales, then realized that I wasn’t tapping into where my heart truly was. Along this journey, I dove into personal and professional growth and development through an entity called Landmark Worldwide and it had me see the conventional ways I thought my career needed to look like. Through an intensive, seven months leadership course, I discovered my deep love and passion for humanity and started researching schools and careers as a humanitarian.
Through my search, I found the Kroc School of Peace Studies at the University of San Diego as a graduate program, applied and got in! From there, I was in the inquiry of what a shift in my career would look like and after graduation, I worked for the County of San Diego and an anti-human trafficking nonprofit. Although I do take other clients in the human rights space, I discovered that I truly want to be in the gang prevention/intervention space and anti-human trafficking and have a current business license for myself to be able to work with various nonprofits and city contracts.
I’m now re-shifting my focus to build upon the various gang prevention and anti-human trafficking clients so that my business can grow and be known as making a profound difference in San Diego and across the country. A huge shout out to everyone who has been a mentor, partner and friend throughout the process, including my current clients such as Youth Empowerment, Learn4Life, No Shots Fired, Armand King, City of San Diego Gang Commission, and many others. I wouldn’t be here if y’all didn’t back me up and believe in who I am.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road; however to look back and reflect upon the experience, it was necessary and such a growing experience. The challenges really were having a false perception that I could do any of the work I’m doing and make money at the same time. I loved what I was doing and at the end of the day, meeting my needs and making my financial situation work was weighing on me. I had to put in the work to build relationships and realized that I could be strategic with how I build my career to make money at the same time.
The other struggle is the impact of the actual work we’re all doing together since it deals with majority of challenging and really traumatic circumstances, at times. It’s extremely rewarding and can also be extremely heartbreaking at times.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
It is a sole proprietorship that operates within San Diego County, for now. I’m in the middle of having various conversations of how to brand out to other areas in the country as well in the criminal justice and anti-human trafficking space primarily. Currently, I’m known as someone who is a bridge-builder and is always willing to show up when needed in various spaces.
What sets me apart from others is the fact that I immerse myself in personal growth so that I can continuously show up to be open, free and create trust with people that I meet along the way. I also have the ability to relate to a wide variety of individuals and professionals, as I’ve been intentional about breaking myself open to be vulnerable and have humility so I can connect with anyone, regardless of the type of work I’m doing.
I’m proud that I can work anywhere in the country and have built up a name for myself to be reliable and have a massive heart for the work I’m doing, which shows up daily. I’d love for everyone to know that I have such a passion for my current work and would love to speak with anyone who is looking for any sort of project management, strategic planning, organizing or outreach support within the gang prevention/intervention or anti-human trafficking space (Within San Diego and outside the county).
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
To approach EVERYTHING not knowing all the answers and have extreme humility, openness and allow others to contribute to me and my journey. To also stand in my beliefs/what I’m creating with my career and stay true to it.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://ablivewell.com/
