Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amanda Moo Smalligan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Amanda Moo, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
I would sum it up to life experience, positive support systems, and yoga.
At an early age I was surrounded by women with ambition and jobs outside of the home. My mom, grandmother, aunties, and cousin Missy all taught me something about work ethic. Hard work was celebrated often in our family and it was normal for me to be encouraged to “go for it” no matter the challenges.
Throughout college I had a variety of part-time jobs: boxing gym, hotel front desk, nightclub server, and a student clerk at the US Attorney’s Office. I continued to work in the legal field for over 15 years as a Paralegal. After some time, work became more about money, I didn’t seem to learn new things, and it was not fun. I could sense my own health decline and I wasn’t happy even if it seemed to be going well in my bank account. I was bored and didn’t feel to be living an honest life. Something needed to change so I started taking yoga classes to work from the inside out.
Yoga became the highlight of my work week. I needed 6 am hot yoga before the law office to get through the day. I signed up for a teacher training, said good bye to desk life, and flash forward to 10 plus years of teaching. I also run my own Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Board business that often includes yoga on the boards.
I continue to work hard now because I get to do things I enjoy, keep learning new things while at work, and have encouragement from my family. This includes my partner, Lewis, and we often collaborate on endeavors. We support each other to take on new projects or make that idea happen even if risk outweighs the benefit. Having this positive, support system motivates me to be honest with myself on how I want to spend my time working.
I teach yoga and SUP because there is growth through the practice. I am my best self when I get to move and be with people in a positive way. Often students come to a session a bit cloudy and leave sunnier. I enjoy this part of the job the most.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My business is called Small SUP and I operate in West Michigan as a certified paddle board instructor. My fleet is mobile and I have 11 boards. I teach adults and teens how to stand up paddle board. I also teach yoga on the boards and have modules of games and team bonding exercises all done on the boards. The name of the business is part my last name and the fact the fleet is small in size on a trailer I pull behind my Subaru.
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?
When I look back to what was impactful to my journey it was doing things where failure was celebrated. In yoga, it was okay to fall out of a pose and on my paddle board…I fell in the lake. Each time I don’t fall, it’s a moment to celebrate. I look at failure as first attempts in learning. Whatever you are up to in life you are bound to succeed and fail. Be able to celebrate both.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
As I grow to add more SUP jobs to my calendar, the most challenging factor is saying no to an opportunity. I am always ready to say yes and sometimes have to decline to honor planned time off or other commitments. My plan is to add an intern of some sorts for next season.
Contact Info:
- Website: smallsup.com
- Instagram: smallsup_mi
