Rising Stars: Meet Amanda Gregory

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Gregory.

Amanda, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Lawrence Lady Boss Project was started as a way to connect creatives in the Lawrence, Kansas community.

The story starts back in 2010 when I moved thousands of miles away from my hometown to follow my husband and the whims of the United States Army. I started my blog, Somewhere Over the Camo, that year as a way to keep family and friends both near and far included in my life.

It was an information dump that got me through those first couple of years. Every time we would relocate, the ladies I had met through blogging were a valuable resource and some of them became my first friends at each new duty station. It served as a network that I came to rely heavily on upon.

Flash forward to 2017 and we were settling into civilian life in Lawrence. I found myself driving 3o minutes (sometimes longer) to Kansas City to attend networking events for creatives and meet other people in the blogging world. I remember thinking, “why doesn’t Lawrence have opportunities like this?” The idea was born and…

Lawrence Lady Boss Project was created in February of 2019. It started with a basic Facebook page and an Instagram handle. The first Networking Night Out was in April of that year and the rest is sort of history. I never imagined it would turn into what it has.

I try to average one Networking Night Out a quarter for our local community. Each of these events is at a different location and sponsored by a different group of ladies. We have hosted at boutiques, office buildings, wineries, gyms, bookstores, restaurants, and spas! Everything is donated and it is free to attend. We offer some food samples and beverages, and there is a photographer on hand to capture the night for us.

Hands down the highlight of the night are when we do a bunch of giveaways. Usually, there are anywhere from 20 to 30 giveaways and every now and again every single person in attendance takes a giveaway home. Everything is donated by lady bosses, for lady bosses. Our events average around 50 guests in attendance. Sometimes more, sometimes less.

We also do National Women’s Small Business month events, Shop Crawls, and weekly features of local lady bosses.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Networking during a pandemic has hands down been the biggest challenge Lawrence Lady Boss Project has encountered. Our local guidelines were very strict for the better part of two years. We canceled, rescheduled, and went virtual on a bunch of events.

I remember thinking the flu was our biggest concern at our 1-year anniversary party in February of 2020. Not even a month later, we were shut down for a worldwide virus. That first event in person after a year of virtual events was wild for me.

I remember watching people pull down the gravel road of our venue and literally fighting back tears. We hung in there, supported each other, and lifted up our community along the way.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am creative. I love to write, read and design. I’ve had my Bachelor of Science degree in Multimedia Design and Development since 2013.

Still, these days I mainly use my graphic design background to volunteer my services in all that I am involved in. I love taking an idea and turning it into a design. Secretly though, I think I like seeing my designs being used even more. There is something about coming across something you created in public that I can’t quite explain.

I am not sure I could say what sets me apart from others. Many are shocked to find out that all the things I do with Lawrence Lady Boss Project I do for free. I don’t collect anything and use my own personal time to plan and execute events.

I really just enjoy connecting people to each other and seeing my efforts result in lasting friendships and connections.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The networking industry as a whole is constantly changing. I think there will always be a need for networking groups and channels for meeting creatives and entrepreneurs but the format and style will forever be changing.

For example, social media is always evolving. As a result, the platforms and options for connections will change as the trends change.

As for in-person networking, I think that as long as we stay out of a global pandemic, in-person networking will always be the best way to establish and maintain connections, long after the next 5 to 10 years.

Contact Info:

• Email: lawrenceladybossproject@gmail.com
• Website: www.lawerenceladybossproject.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/lawrenceladybossproject
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/lawrenceladybossproject

Image Credits
Kayla Kohn Photography, Humbelina Harper Photography, Trina Baker Photography, One Window Photography by Katie Lewis, Juliann Courtney Photography, Emily Steele Studios, and Bailey Mareu Moments of Being Photography