Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Blair Taboas.
Hi Amanda, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story is sort of all over the place – I started out as a Musical Theatre actor. I graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in 2013 and moved to New York City not even two weeks later (on accident with $100 to my name – dumbest and most rewarding thing I’ve ever done). I auditioned, took classes, saw shows, networked, and waited tables (like many artists) in my 4 years there. I worked as an actor in the city, regionally, and even saw the world working on a ship as a singer. I also picked up some other skills (directing and coaching) along the way – these would come in handy later on.
Just about 5 years ago, my boyfriend (now husband) got a job offer here in San Diego, so we packed up our little studio and drove across the country with a U-Haul trailer. I quickly found CrossFit Fortius (my husband and I are both athletes) and found that they needed to fill a front desk position – which was perfect because I had no job lined up. I realized pretty quickly that there was ACTUALLY a need for a General Management position to be created, so after meeting with the owners and ironing out the details, I dove right in. This job not only gave me the ability to do what I love – help people – but it also gave me the flexibility to also keep performing.
2 years into that led me to a crossroads- the next step up from the position I was in was owning a gym of my own, which is no easy feat. I could either keep on with my current role, which maybe wouldn’t lead to where I wanted to go, or try to look for something else. I made the difficult decision to slowly branch out and back away from my GM duties, in hopes of finding a steady 9-5 position. As fate would have it, I found a company that needed a position that didn’t exactly exist in that branch just yet – which sounded pretty familiar. I was offered the position and set off to flush out what that job would look like.
Fast forward a year, and the world as we knew it was put on hold due to the Pandemic. Our company was event rentals, and suddenly all events were being cancelled. I was quickly furloughed, and left with “now what?”. For about a month, I taught online fitness classes via Zoom, took on some personal training clients, worked on my craft, and was the best stay-at-home Cat mom around.
On my job search, I stumbled upon a listing for an office administration position for a boutique financial firm. I have zero financial background – my degree says I can sing and dance at the same time – but I applied anyhow, not expecting much. I ended up landing the job, and my career trajectory changed. In the nearly 2 years I’ve been with the company, Modern Wealth Collective, I’ve learned so much about myself and what I really want to do with my life. I’m now a paraplanner, life insurance agent, and am working on launching my financial coaching business. Really, this new career has taught me that above anything else, I love to learn and I love to teach.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Absolutely not! It’s REALLY hard to make a complete career change in your 30’s. There have been numerous thoughts of “what am I doing”, self-doubt, and second-guessing the decisions I’ve made.
A big issue I remember coming across was trying to show on paper all the experience I have that doesn’t fit into a job description. I feel like there are so many bright, talented, successful human beings that miss out on opportunity because their life experiences don’t translate well to a resume, and having to accept an entry-level position when you KNOW you are capable of more can be disheartening.
I honestly believe my job now is 100% a “right place, right time” situation – my boss is the kindest, most genuine person you’ll meet and beyond that, she’s been an amazing mentor for me along the way. I’m very lucky to have found her.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
As I mentioned before, I’m in the process of launching my financial coaching business.
I’m now in a good place financially, but that wasn’t always the case- as a young person right out of college, on my own with no support from anyone, money can be a really scary thing! Beyond that, we’re typically not taught much about money management. The thought of money (for rent, for emergencies, for whatever) was anxiety-inducing, and caused me to avoid the topic altogether, and just sort of try to figure it all out as I went along
Looking back and knowing what I know now about money and finances, my main goal is to take the me from 10 years ago and teach that person that money doesn’t have to cause you mental strife. It doesn’t have to be a point of contention with loved ones. You don’t have to be making thousands of dollars to be able to handle your finances efficiently.
What sets me apart from other coaches in this field is a couple of things. First, I don’t believe there is a “one size fits all” when it comes to handling your finances. Each person’s situation is unique to them, and that’s great! Next, I truly feel that each person should be as involved in their finances as their finance professional is. It doesn’t help you out if you hand everything over to me and say, “ok, go!”. Being more “hands-on” and working WITH me as opposed to having me work FOR you will help you to learn and become more comfortable with the topics at hand. Finally – and maybe most importantly – I work mindset first. If you don’t have the right mentality going into a stressful situation, you won’t ever truly become comfortable working and living in that space. Money mindset is incredibly important, and can often be overlooked. It’s my job, and privilege, to help you find the right tools to develop a healthy money mindset.
ABT Financial Coaching is a subscription-based business – members will have access to a series of group coaching sessions, videos, handouts, webinars, client appreciation events, and more. I also have a la carte items available – for example, if you find a webinar that has just the topic you’ve been itching to learn about, you can absolutely just come to that one thing!
I’m really proud of what I’ve built, and am even more excited for the opportunity to make financial literacy accessible for everyone, and to help ease the stresses associated with money.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
This is one of my favorite questions – and I always have the same answers.
I always say yes, then figure out how to do it afterwards. I’m a go-getter; if there’s something I want, I will do everything I can to make it happen.
I’m also annoyingly reliable – as I stated before, I’m a helper. I love to help people, If something is important to someone I care about, it’s important to me, and I’ll do what I can to be available for you, should you need it.
Contact Info:
- Email: ataboasfc@gmail.com
- Instagram: @abt_financialcoaching
Image Credits
Keeley Miller Photography
Feldmann Photos
Heavy Athletics Photography
