Have you ever felt stuck in a demanding corporate role, longing for more flexibility, freedom, and ownership over your career? If so, this episode of From a Woman to a Leader is exactly what you need.
I sat down with Amanda Schwartz Ramirez, a strategy and operations executive with over 15 years of experience working in high-pressure environments like PayPal and hyper-growth startups. Amanda’s inspiring story of transitioning from a corporate leader to a successful consultant is a roadmap for anyone considering a career pivot.
In this blog post, I’ll summarize Amanda’s incredible journey, the practical strategies she shares for making the leap, and why this conversation is a must-listen for women in tech who want to redefine their careers.
Meet Amanda Schwartz Ramirez
Amanda Schwartz Ramirez is a strategy and operations executive, advisor, and coach who specializes in scaling high-performing tech companies. After a decade at PayPal leading strategy and operations, Amanda transitioned to leadership roles in hyper-growth startups. She founded Garden Labs, a boutique advisory firm helping venture-backed startups and executive leaders navigate critical growth phases.
Through her Maven course, Amanda also empowers executives to transition successfully into consulting and advisory roles.
Connect with Amanda:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandamschwartz
Website: https://www.gardenlabs.xyz
Amanda’s Maven Course: https://maven.com/amanda-schwartz/advisory
Episode Highlights
Amanda’s story is proof that women can design careers that work for them—without sacrificing their ambition or family life. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
1. Transitioning from Corporate to Consulting
Amanda shares how working 80-hour weeks while pregnant with her third child led her to rethink her career. She decided to step away from corporate life, but not to slow down—instead, she built a business on her terms.
As Amanda explains:
“I didn’t want to slow down, but I needed the model to change.”
2. Identifying Your Marketable Skills
Amanda details the process of deconstructing her corporate roles to uncover her unique expertise. She advises women to look beyond job titles and focus on the impact they’ve made.
3. Building a Network and Landing First Clients
Leveraging her existing network, Amanda secured her first consulting projects before officially leaving her corporate job. She emphasizes the importance of reaching out to people who’ve seen you at your best.
4. Overcoming Procrastination
Amanda warns against getting stuck in “busy work” like designing logos or building a website before landing clients. She encourages women to take action, iterate on their services, and refine as they go.
5. Embracing Flexibility and Freedom
Both Amanda and I reflect on the importance of flexibility in our careers. For Amanda, consulting allowed her to pursue projects she’s passionate about while balancing her role as a mom.
Practical Advice for Women Considering Consulting
Amanda offers actionable steps for women looking to transition into consulting or coaching:
- Deconstruct Your Roles: Identify the skills and expertise you’ve gained, and think about how they can be applied as services.
- Leverage Your Network: Reach out to former colleagues, managers, and peers who’ve seen your work firsthand.
- Start Small: Test the waters with short-term projects to refine your skills and confidence.
- Focus on Action: Don’t get bogged down by unnecessary tasks like building a website. Start with client relationships and grow from there.
About Me
I’m Limor Bergman Gross, the host of From a Woman to a Leader. With over 20 years of experience in the tech industry, I’ve been a software engineer, a leader in engineering teams, and now a career coach for women in tech.
I specialize in helping women unlock their potential, navigate challenges in male-dominated industries, and design careers that work for them.
Let’s connect:
- Website: https://limorbergman.com/podcast
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/limorbergman
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/limorbergman
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LimorBergman
Resources to Help You Grow
🚀 Download my FREE career guide:
Take Control of Your Tech Career
📩 Transform your leadership skills with my weekly newsletter:
From a Busy Leader to a Strategic Leader
Listen to the Full Episode
🎧 Ready to dive into Amanda’s full story? Listen to the episode here:
How to Leverage Your Skills and Build a Consulting Business with Amanda Schwartz Ramirez
Final Thoughts
Amanda’s journey from corporate leader to consultant is an inspiring example of what’s possible when you trust yourself and take action. Whether you’re considering consulting, coaching, or a new career path, this episode offers the practical advice and encouragement you need to get started.
👉 Listen to the episode now and discover what’s possible for you!
