26 Apr #04 Wearing Costumes and Masks | Amanda Stone of A&M Events
Finding your right path among challenges of sexism, ageism and insecurity
For today’s episode, I sat down with Amanda Stone – the “A” of A&M Events. A&M Events is a relationship-based event management company delivering thorough planning and solution-oriented execution for corporate and special events. They offer fresh perspectives that are rooted in authentic reflections of clients’ personalities and brands. Amanda Stone and Micaela Reed founded A&M Events in 2012. I have long known of Amanda and her partner Micaela role in Nashville’s event industry but only really gotten to know them personally in the last year or so. So I was looking forward to learning more.
We talked about her entrepreneurial parents (making her a natural business owner), how she found her footing and passion for the event industry and the benefits of a business partnership. And then we dug into the stuff – sexism, ageism, generational challenges in business and knowing the work you do matters (even when it involves pretty things). While we didn’t chat over drinks, it was an enlightening and timely conversation nonetheless.
Listen on iTunes | Listen on Stitcher
Key Topics:
- Sexism and ageism in the events industry
- Traditional education and how it does (and doesn’t) tie into becoming a business owner
- The benefits of having a business partner
- Finding true meaning in the work you do
Listen if:
- You are interested in starting a business with a partner
- You are a young business owner looking for advice or a (spoiler alter) success story
- You have a family and work in events, or want to learn about the challenges work-life balance in the events industry
- You would like to know about the challenges that a young woman in the events industry can face
Key Takeaways:
“You think of the industry being so female dominant, which is wonderful, but there are a lot of guys involved as well and I’d say there are sometimes that it can be hard for certain guys to take direction from females.”
“There are so many unnamed jobs in the event industry.”
“We have to embrace the voices and the perspectives and the stories of people who are not like us, and who don’t necessarily reflect our experiences.”
“We’re addressing the work-life balance, we’re having conversations about when it’s appropriate, and what can I wear and still be considered professional, where can I bring my children and still have it be considered okay. It’s reexamining how these spaces exist together and allow us to be more dynamic and complete humans.”
Get in touch with Amanda at amanda@ameventdesign.com and keep up with her company at their website.
Other points of note:
What did you think? Review the podcast and subscribe to Bosses & Bourbon. Have a question? Email Krista at krista@bossesandbourbon.com.
Krista Chapman of Path & Compass, marketing & strategist to the wedding & event industry works with a lot of smart, hard-working bosses in her consulting work. Entrepreneurs that you’ve never heard of that are rocking out their independent wedding & event businesses. Owner-operators that have created solutions and strategies that WORK. Listen to these candid conversations where Krista and her guest boss, talk shop (maybe over bourbon) and get real about running a successful business in today’s wedding & event industry.