We recently had the chance to connect with Amanda Hudes and have shared our conversation below.
Amanda, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
My daily life is BUSY! Between caring for my two children and a young dog, running a full time event and wedding planning business, working to complete my Master’s Degree, maintaining and growing relationships, and running a household, life is non stop.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I began Smiling Through Chaos almost 10 years ago. I didn’t start with a long term plan, just one that included wanting to help people have a beautiful experience in planning the biggest day of their lives, their wedding day. I noticed other Planners focusing on the day of, and I wanted to focus on both, the day of but also the experience leading up to it. I wanted to make sure my clients were able to focus on more than just their wedding because their journey together would go far past that one day, and in taking care of the planning for them, they would be able to do just that. But I also knew I didn’t want to just “plan;” I wanted to make it INCREDIBLE. As the years progressed, I became more specific with each lead of what they would get in working with STC and why most of our clients decided to proceed. We build relationships. We focus on customization and personalization where no two events of ours are alike because no two clients are exactly the same – each person and each couple are their own. And with the years, we also extended our services into other types of events, from milestone birthdays to anniversary parties, mitzvahs, corporate and more. We want to see you smile, your mouths drop open, and you have the time of your lives.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that has most shaped how I see myself is the relationship with myself. I have made some life decisions against my intuition because I thought it was “the right thing to do” or I was trying to be “nice,” but your intuition is there for a reason, to protect and guide you. Those decisions can cause you to lose trust in yourself and your decisions, but once you gain that back, it starts to extend into other areas. For example, now I actually make some decisions because they scare me a little bit, knowing that pushing through fear is just what I need to get to that next level for myself. It’s easier to stay “comfortable,” but I’m very much about working to become my best self, and staying comfortable isn’t a part of that.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me how resilient and strong I am, and how I can go beyond surviving to thriving if that’s what I choose for myself. It has also taught me that I can extend that into assisting others do the same. I decided to go back to school to get my Master’s Degree while running STC full time, being a single mother, and maintaining and growing relationships. I made that choice, and I feel great about that decision. It’s far from easy, but it feels fantastic to keep growing, evolving, and finding additional ways to help people celebrate life. We are so much stronger than we think, and I believe that G-d will only give us what we can handle, which has helped me get through some very difficult times.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
I can’t believe I’m needing to say this, but a very important truth that seems to be a minority thought-process in current times is questioning what we are putting into our bodies rather than just listening to influencers, doctors, and the media. Asking questions is intelligent but is viewed as being difficult. Track the money, watch who is telling you the information of what you should do with your own body, and make decisions based on what you think is right for your body. Every single body is different so every single body should be treated as such. What’s good for one person might not necessarily be good for someone else. “Olive oil is good for you” is a great example; it actually makes me feel sick. Listening to your body, your intuition / gut, and doing research before just following the crowd in so many areas of life is what I hope more people start to do, for their own sakes and for society’s.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m alone or surrounded by people who have great, calming energy. When I dance, laugh, play sports with my kids, am around my love, paint, listen to music, cuddle with my dog, watch a beautiful sunset or the stars at night, and I’m able to be creative, I am at peace.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.smilingthroughchaos.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smilingthroughchaos/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandahudes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smilingthroughchaos
- Other: https://wezoree.com/vendors/profile/7338-planners-smiling-through-chaos/
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