Meet the Women Behind Women’s Impact Academy

Welcome to a Curvy Mom Blog. We are uber excited to have you within our community to share your story.

Today, we spotlight the women behind Women’s Impact Academy.

1. What was the inspiration behind creating the Women’s Impact Academy (WIA)?

As the pandemic was beginning and the uncertainty of how long it would go on for us was really setting in, I was watching the women around me struggle for connection. The universe kept tapping me on the shoulder reminding me that we are built for connection and I had to find a way to create that space for women as we navigated one of the biggest changes we have ever faced.

2. What is one of the biggest goals you would like to accomplish with (WIA)?

We are committed to providing support and an encouraging community for the woman who knows in her heart that she is made for something more.

3. Women come in all forms of sizes, colors, backgrounds; how does (WIA) encourage all facets of womanhood?

WIA strives to create a community that welcomes every woman; a place where our diversity is celebrated. We believe each woman brings something to the table that creates strength in a community.

4. What has been the biggest challenge with forming (WIA)?

Location and Inclusion. As a Founders Circle, we are located across the US and Canada and we have been craving the opportunity to be in one space together to feel each other’s energy in person. The other challenge we face is as a predominantly caucasian founders circle, we are working hard to find ways to share and ensure ALL our members feel seen and heard.

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Amanda Schneider, Relationships & Communication

5. Being a team of five strong and independent women, how do you all handle disagreements or business differences that pertain to (WIA)?

We understand that above all else, respect must be shown in every situation. We always ask before giving feedback and consistently check in about the needs of our circle. We know that each of us brings something powerful to our group and community and it is important that each member feels seen and heard. We have also done extensive training as an executive team to equip ourselves with even more tools in our communication toolbox.

6. Power exists within a woman who is connected to her community; what does this mean exactly to (WIA)?

Confidence is built in taking action towards something in your heart. We know that communities benefit when their members are passionately driven to create a positive difference. There is also a magic that happens when a community is guided by women who stand true in their purpose. When a woman is surrounded by support and encouragement, she truly is a force to be reckoned with…;)

7. Who is the (WIA) woman?

The WIA woman is someone who hears that little voice inside reminding her that she is made for more; that her purpose is greater than where she is at. She may not know what that looks like or how to get there but she knows that the voice inside is getting louder. She may not be surrounded by examples and we are committed to sharing our tools and learnings to equip her on her journey.

8. For a woman who feels uninspired to pursue her passion, how can (WIA) help her unlock her true potential?

As founders, we know that the community you surround yourself with is critical in moments of questioning your purpose. We have invested into the 6 figures in our personal and professional development and we know that just is not possible for everyone. Education and development should not only be available for those with money. We are working to make these resources available to as many women as possible. Every woman has incredible gifts inside and with the right tools and support we can relight that spark!

9. Tell us more about the monthly roundtable discussions and how each member of (WIA) contributes…

a. How would a newcomer benefit from these conversations?

The WIA Roundtable discussions are a mix of coffee with a friend and training in many different areas. We strive to show that growth is a process and our WIA members are not alone in their process of growth. With every Roundtable recorded and added into the Member Library, new members can take a look at past topics and dive into the conversations that apply to where they are at in their journey. We also encourage our members to join us live and be a part of the conversation so our founders can offer real-time support for where they are at!

10. Being a part of the (WIA) community sounds like a place you can call your second home with a great foundation for discovering and becoming the person you want to be; how would you advise women to handle the competition and negativity that can surface between them, especially when there are different levels of success?

WIA is built on the understanding that other women are not our competition. When a woman feels supported and encouraged, the insecurities that lead to competition and judgement greatly decline. We strive to celebrate our sisters’ success all while working hard for our own. Our Co-founder Hannah often shares a story about reaching the top of the mountain. It is not about stepping over our sisters to reach the top. It is about learning and growing in a way that gets you to the top of the mountain and then reaching back to help the woman coming next. This is a foundational concept inside our organization and that will never change.

11. How do the women at (WIA) shift their mood to tone the day when days are not always bright? Please each share your tips.

We know that challenges are inevitable and we are built to do hard things. With WIA we have learned and continue to focus on the power of support.

Within our founder’s circle, if we have something we need to talk through or work out, we reach out. 10% of the conversation is on the problem, 90% is on the solution. Knowing who you can reach out to when you are struggling is important.

We also know the importance of changing your state. Move your body, rest when you need to (we still have to remind ourselves of this one because we have some pretty amazing & driven women inside this community), and tap into the community to find that positive inspiration when things are hard!

12. By subscribing to (WIA) what would a member receive monthly that they may can’t get online elsewhere today?

Our monthly subscription is more than a library of on-demand courses in financial health, personal transformations, communications training, spiritual connection, and business training. It is a place for women to come and take the first step. Guidance, accountability, community, and legacy creation are just the beginning. From our roundtable conversations to daily content delivered to start a conversation or build you up, there really is something for every woman inside.

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13. Have you seen a greater need for a sense of community since the pandemic?

Absolutely. One blessing of this pandemic has been how much we see the value of connection. Over at WIA, we are committed to creating a space for women to find positive connections when taking on challenges. The beauty of having an online community is the ability to have support and connection at the touch of a button.

14. With the many uncertainties in our current economy, how would (WIA) advise women to begin creating a financial plan for their household?

WIA educates women on how to grow and develop a business, along with learning about financial health through our library of on-demand courses and Social Media Content within the WIA community group. The first step is to talk about it. Finances can be a challenging topic and understanding your relationship with money is the beginning of that journey. WIA is here to help you peel back the layers so our members can make the plans that best suit their needs.

15. People pleasing: super big problem within the entrepreneurship community, especially newbie entrepreneurs, because “we” want to please the customer and not have to say no. How does someone differentiate having good customer service and people-pleasing?

The answer to this often comes down to checking in for resentment or burnout after you have said yes. Here at WIA, we recommend taking a pause before you say “yes” to any opportunity (even if it is a couple of seconds to take a deep breath and calm your mind). In the pause, ask yourself if saying “yes” to this opportunity will move you closer to your goal or take you away from it. Our founder Amanda has a sticky note beside her computer that says “If it is not a hell yes, it is a NO”. You are not here to please everyone and you will often find that people respect you more for being honest upfront.

16. Proudly, women are rising up and launching businesses, becoming stay-at-homepreneurs, climbing the corporate ladder into CEO positions; we’re evolving rapidly – what advice would (WIA) give to help create a healthy life balance while also remaining humble to one’s true self?

Ask yourself “What does balance actually mean to ME?”

Balance is different for everyone and oftentimes we are chasing an idea without truly understanding what it would look like in our daily lives. Also, there will be seasons in your life that you choose imbalance so you are able to focus on the growth of a business or family time as your babies grow (we know from experience). The key is knowing what the finish line looks like for that season. Maybe you are driven to get a company off the ground and when you hit a certain income level you will reevaluate what balance looks like. Or maybe you are raising a family and you know that when your kids go to full-time school, you will be able to focus on your career more. Whatever season you are in, it is important to outline your values and priorities and make sure you have actively chosen the path in front of you.

17. “Just for the record darling, not all positive change feels positive in the beginning.” S.C. Laurie Very true and strong statement. Can we share some tips on how someone can push forward while transitioning into a new journey with the rough days ahead?

Growth is uncomfortable. There is no way around that. It is looking at the parts of yourself that are no longer serving your direction forward. The payoff of that work comes when you realize that every uncomfortable step leads to a new level of strength, passion, purpose, and creating a life you design.

As well, having a trusted community you can lean into for support is an essential piece of the journey as you navigate the challenges that lie ahead.

18. Being a woman we are natural multitaskers, may I ask how you five awesome ladies find the time to juggle your walks of life and manage (WIA)? Please each share your tips.

Your Schedule is your best friend and preparation is key. We plan quarterly in our business and we lean into each other’s strengths. Sandy often jokes that we all “stay in our own lane” when it comes to the tasks we have laid out in our business. Having a team is what makes this project work!

19. I have to say I absolutely adore (WIA) and what you’re offering to women – I would love to hear what is next..events, workshops, etc… What are (WIA) dreams and goals?

In November we will be celebrating our one-year anniversary and all of the things our community has accomplished in the last year! This will be an online event and open to the public. We also host workshops every couple of months specific to each one of our founders’ expertise. You don’t have to be a member to attend our workshops, but we do offer them 50% off to our membership. In addition to our workshops, we offer free Ladies Nights every quarter that is open to everyone and hosted online. Here we offer mini-presentations on topics we believe are important to women and offer a space for women to come together to learn and connect. The best way to stay informed with our up-and-coming events is to sign up for our mailing list directly on our website, and we will deliver an invite directly to your inbox!

We believe that the world will be a better place when we come together to connect, create and contribute to each other’s growth! We hope you will join us in building our community and making an impact in the world!

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