What They Don’t Tell You About Building a Community ft. Amanda Smith

#68: What do you get when a former teacher builds a national women’s community, plans a conference for hundreds, and somehow still manages school pickup? You get Amanda Smith.

In this episode, I sit down with the founder of Dallas Girl Gang to talk about what it really looks like to grow a brand, rally a community, and keep your sanity intact while doing it. We’re unpacking Amanda’s leap from classroom to CEO, how she created one of the most recognizable women’s networks in Texas, and the behind-the-scenes of hosting giant events (and getting brands to actually pay for them).

In this episode, we get into:
→ From teacher to founder—how Amanda made the pivot and why she never looked back
→ Building a community off of Instagram (because the algorithm isn’t your friend)
→ How to monetize your community without selling out
→ Real talk on motherhood, entrepreneurship, and not being everything to everyone
→ Planning a conference, landing partnerships, and keeping it all together (barely)

Whether you’re building a business, a brand, or just trying to get through today without losing it, Amanda’s story proves that connection, clarity, and a little chaos can go a long way.

Tune in now to hear how she’s doing it all—on her own terms.

FIND WHAT YOU NEED FROM THE EPISODE:

08:35 Starting Over in McKinney and Making It Make Sense
13:43 Accidental Mentorship and Saying “Yes” Before You’re Ready
19:44 When You Know Strategy Matters—But Still Feel Lost AF
25:24 The Birth of Work It Wednesday (Spoiler: It Wasn’t a Master Plan)
28:33 Building Community That Doesn’t Rely on the Algorithm
34:40 Passion vs. Profit—Because Doing What You Love Doesn’t Always Pay the Bills
41:42 Turns Out Teachers Plan Better Events Than Most CEOs
46:58 Why Amanda Rethinks Every Brand Partnership Pitch
49:54 Making Room for Remote Workers and Big-Dream Entrepreneurs
54:30 Pitching Like a Pro: What Brands Actually Want
01:03:22 Sponsorships Aren’t Just Free Money—Here’s the Strategy
01:04:46 Turning One Brand Deal into a Long-Term Relationship
01:10:25 Rapid Fire: Disco Balls, Big Dreams, and Being the Extra One in the Room