We recently connected with Amanda McGinley and have shared our conversation below.
Amanda, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Self-doubt can be paralyzing. What if they don’t like me? What if they don’t like my product? What if they don’t like my posts? These are all fears I’ve had and sometimes still have. I’ve learned to just put one foot in front of the other. Its okay if people don’t like me or my products but I still put myself out there. I usually have anxiety when I do things but now I just do them anyway. I’m just as worthy and capable as any other cake artist/ business owner. I continue to educate myself, learn, and grow.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My name is Amanda and I am a custom cake maker. I started baking with my mom when I was younger. I received my first piping tip set on my Confirmation in the 7th grade. I continued experimenting with cakes as the years progressed. I made my first two tier cake when I was a teenager and boy was it terrible- but my grandma loved it and I kept baking. I’ve taken several mini courses over the years, but I am mostly self-taught. I learned in a time when there was no You Tube to look things up and you had to figure things out by yourself. Life got busy and I now have two young children who occupy most of my time. My baking went on a back burner. This past September I took a cake course and it propelled my business forward. I have been making a lot of custom cakes recently and I am so happy to do so. I love bringing people’s ideas to life and creating special memories for them.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Learning how to adapt was very impactful for me. Nowadays social media is very important in certain businesses. I’ve had to adapt to that change and go outside of my comfort zone with posting and sharing. The upkeep on social media is constant.
Becoming part of a baking community has been very impactful for me as well. I’m in touch with other bakers and everyone is very helpful and shares tips, some of which are real life savers. Developing community and networking in your field is definitely important.
I am also resilient. Before this last stretch of cake making, I would only make fondant cakes. I was intimidated by buttercream frosting. I could never get it to look good and be smooth. I have been practicing and perfecting my buttercream cakes. Now I make them almost weekly. That’s huge for me as if you asked me to make a buttercream cake even one year ago I would have said no.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, which happens often, I have to take a step back and take a break. If I am overwhelmed and stressed my work will suffer. I take a break and clear my mind and then go back to my task when I am calm. Breathing techniques help me calm down when I’m feeling overwhelmed- breathe in for four seconds and out for seven seconds ( as if you are blowing out a birthday candle-on a cake!)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.icedbyamanda.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/icedbyamanda
- Yelp: Iced By Amanda
