Life and Work with Amy Miller

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Miller.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Amy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’m proud to say I have been working as a professional intuitive for 10 years this fall. Many people I work with now might be surprised to hear that when I began in 2009, I opened a small pet boutique on Main Street in a small town in Wisconsin. I sold natural and healthy pet products and offered my animal communication sessions with clients in a small office in the back room. Not many people know about this part of my life because the store lasted seven months before my money ran out, and I couldn’t pay the bills. I was devastated, I wanted to give up, and I almost did. Lucky for me, my mom, a fellow lady boss, and business owner gave me some advice that would change my whole world and become a theme for how I would approach life and business going forward. She said something like this: If you want to be a business owner, you have to learn how to change, adapt, and grow. If something is not working out, figure out another way. Giving up isn’t an option.

I didn’t give up. “Giving up isn’t an option” became my mantra, the theme song of my first five years in business. I knew I had a gift, and I was determined to share it. I got out of my head and moved away from what I thought my business should be and assumed it should look like, and I instead got into the heart of it all, which has always been and always will be served. Sharing my gift in a way that helps both people and animals is life fully expressed for me. I realized didn’t need a storefront to do this. I just had to create my own definition of what “success” is. From that moment on, I decided not to define success in a tangible way, rather finding it in the impact I make in the lives of the people and animals who cross my path.

Keeping my focus on service and sharing my gift have allowed my business to grow and expand in ways I could never imagine when I opened that little store on main street. My business has evolved in a way that not only serves my clients but also serves me. It’s given me freedom. When working with animals, I only need a photo to connect with them. Unless I’m traveling for a speaking engagement, I do all my work via phone or video conference, which has allowed me to serve clients across the United States and internationally. It’s given me the freedom to travel and live in many time zones, all while working from a sacred space created in my home. I’ve enjoyed the mountains of Colorado while living in Lakewood on Green Mountain. I’ve enjoyed the salty Atlantic Ocean air of coastal Carolina while living in an adorable beach town. None of this would have been possible if I was still limited to that little store on Main Street in Wisconsin, working 9-5. I’m grateful every day. The universe had a plan for me that was greater than the plan I had for myself.

The past 10 years as an entrepreneur have given me so many gifts. I have grown not only in business but also a person. I have met amazing people; become a speaker, an award-winning author, a teacher; and I even created a deck of Conversation Cards so people could communicate real-time with their animals on their own. Just this past year, my business and I grew again when I melded my intuitive gift with my social work background and began to offer services like oracle card readings and coaching for two-legged clients. The beautiful things about being in business for yourself is that it can be whatever you want it to be. I am looking forward to evolving throughout the next 10 years.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I have always been a positive person. In life and in business, I choose to view the struggles as the truth of what they are, opportunities to grow into a greater expression of who I am. But when you are in the thick of struggle, it is never easy. There have been tears, lots of tears, anger, fear, and moments of defeat; in fact, more than once I have thought of chucking it all, flying to Paris, and getting a job in that cute little English-speaking bookstore Shakespeare and Company, across the river from Notre-Dame. To be honest, I had that very thought last week! But in the end, one thing has always been more important than the sadness, fear, or flights of fancy: my clients—the people and animals I work with. They are my passion, my purpose, and, most importantly, they are my why and why I continue to show up even when it feels hard. I would tell any woman going into business get clear about your who and why. Whom are you going to serve, and why do you want to show up every day and serve them? The most important thing you will ever do for yourself and your business is to make it about the service. Focus on that, and everything else will fall into place.

Beyond that I would give these three bits of advice:
1. Giving up is not an option if you want to be an entrepreneur. If something is not working, it’s time to reevaluate and grow.
2. Find your “yes” people. The people who love and support the biggest, greatest version of you and will help you remember it when you need reminding. There are a few core people in my life who would never let me fall, never let me give up, and never been afraid of my wildest biggest dreams. Without their love and support, I would have given up long ago.
3. Invest in yourself. You and your business are worth it. Hate paperwork or can’t do numbers? Hire someone who likes it, so you can focus on what you do best. Can’t think beyond the box you are in now? Hire a coach and join a mastermind. You need someone to push you outside that box.

What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
Being a multi-passionate entrepreneur, I specialize in an array of things. In the animal communication field, my passion for supporting people in creating conscious companionship with the animals in their life has carved a niche for me in the equine athlete world. When I started my business, my experience as a dog trainer gave me a lot of small animal clients. While I work with all animals, I would say now that 80% of my animal communication business currently comes from my work with animal athletes.

I am also proud to be known for my work with animals in spirit. Working with animals over the rainbow bridge inspired my award-winning book, Beyond Companionship: Connecting with Kindred Souls of Animal Companions. When we make a soul connection with another being, that connection transcends past the physical, and we can still connect with our friends in spirit and experience their love and wisdom.

My 10 years as a woman entrepreneur and passion-for-all-things-self-empowerment is what led to my expanding my intuitive gifts and business offerings to include coaching and oracle card readings for people. I love being a “yes” person in other people’s lives and supporting them as they grow into a more expanded version of self. In all my work, compassion and authenticity are key values that add to my success. In 10 years I haven’t had to spend much money on advertising. I’m so grateful to have clients who are willing to share their experiences, allowing me to get clients via word-of-mouth, and that’s something I am very proud of.

Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
One of the things I find when interacting with other women entrepreneurs is that we tend to want to do it all on our own. I find that women are less likely to ask for the support they need. Ladies, you don’t have to do it alone! I have come to learn that community is key to success. About five years ago, I invested in a mastermind group for women creating their futures. I had just finished writing my first book Beyond Companionship: Connecting with Kindred Souls of Animal Companions and wanted some extra motivation and support while preparing to share it with the world. I had never been a part of a mastermind group, and I found the experience to be profound and necessary. I highly recommend this for anyone in business. I believe this so deeply that I would say it is a non-negotiable in business to find yourself a tribe that will not only celebrate all your wins no matter how big or small, but who can also hold you accountable, pushing you out of your comfort zone when you’re feeling stuck. A few of the women who were in that initial mastermind group with me are cherished confidants, supporters, and friends to this day. These groups are becoming easier to find, and if you are struggling to connect with one, there is a great book called A Tribe Called Bliss by Lori Harder, who teaches you step by step how to create your own mastermind group.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.amymillercoaching.com
• Email: amy@amymillercoaching.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intuitiveamym/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amymilleranimalcommunicator/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/IntuitiveAmyM
• Other: https://www.onenessinitiative.org/

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