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Name: Amanda Vega
Business: Amanda Vega Consulting & 3 Peas Marketing, LLC
Industry: Marketing & PR
Location: Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Reason for starting: I started Amanda Vega Consulting after being told that I had to “fly the nest” by a high profile Internet portal founder. He looked at me one day and told me that I had propelled to the top of the company in a natural and passionate way, but it was time for me to go see what I could create on my own – because the fact of the matter was that my brain would “thrive” not being “beholden to the needs of a formal corporation.” So I left and did just that.
As for 3 Peas – after being an entrepreneur for more than 15 years, I finally had my first child in my mid-30’s and at the same time, the universe was delivering us a nice set of juvenille products, baby product inventions, and consumer packaged goods geared towards small children. After seeing a niche developing for us for the first time in over 10 years, part of my team decided that this “division” needed it’s own brand (let’s face it – the Amanda Vega brand is a bit too abrasive for sweet baby product developers) and it’s own investment. The team presented a solid plan and I funded them with a deadline of 12-months to profitability. It only took them 3.
Now I spend more of my time working with the baby product brands than the larger brands on the AVC side of things. I serve as CEO and COO of both companies, and enjoy being able to choose where I think I can best impact a company.
Related: The High Note
How do you define success? Success to me is the ability to do what you love while making a good living that provides for your family and allows you to feel good about where you are investing your time – as it’s our only diminishing value at all times.
Biggest Success: My biggest success in business: having the company survive post-911. My biggest success in life: raising two sons – as it was the thing I felt least equipped to do – and I’m rocking it.
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it? My top challenge these days is working too much in the business and not enough on the business. I am now scheduling time on my calendar for networking and business-growth activities so that I am sure it gets done. I now aim to have lunch with one person that I haven’t connected with in more than 2 years twice a month, and setting up one call with a colleague/competitor each month to offer support and help, which not only allows me to give back, but also to grow. None of us know it all. And anyone who says they (or their agency) does is lying. It’s just that simple.
Related: Why Being a ‘Company Superhero’ is Super Stupid
Who is your most important role model? I’m not sure I’ve ever found one singular individual that I emmulate. Instead, I am passionate about celebrating and modeling the behaviors and admirable qualities of a great number of people I’m fortunate to know.
[box_light]Website www.amandavega.com and www.babyproductmarketing.com
Twitter @amandavega @3peasmarketing
Facebook amandavegaconsulting, 3peasmarketing[/box_light]
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Edited by The Story Exchange