June 27, 2025 • 37 mins
Portia is joined by Amy Jah for a conversation about the importance of community in business. Amy is the owner of American Moving and Hauling and the founder of the Sugar Mamas Movement. She shares her entrepreneurial story and explains how her experience led her to build the supportive and powerful community she wished she had when she started her career.
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Portia Mount on LinkedIn
American Moving and Hauling Website
Sugar Mamas Movement Website
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, I'm Portia Mount, creator and host of
Ungovernable Women, formerly theManifesta Podcast, the
lifestyle and career podcast foraspiring women.
Our new name reflects ourmission to reach even more
listeners with stories of womenwho are breaking boundaries and
redefining success.
I have a favor to ask you, ifyou haven't done so already,
please rate and subscribe to thepod.
(00:21):
Wherever you listen to yourpodcasts, it boosts our rankings
and helps more people discoverus.
Thanks for tuning in.
Welcome to Season 5 ofUngovernable Women, the career
and lifestyle podcast foraspiring women ready to break
barriers.
I'm Portia Mouw and I'mthrilled to be back.
We've got a new name, but ourmission remains stronger than
(00:43):
ever helping women find theirpurpose, lead high-impact
careers and meaningful lives.
This season, we'll bring youthe stories of women who forged
their own paths to success.
It's our time to shine.
Let's dive in.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Hey squad, I am so happy to welcome a woman whom
I've admired for many years.
Amy Jha is owner of AmericanMoving and hauling, a
woman-owned family-run businesslocated here in North Carolina,
and if you are in the Carolinas,you may have seen their hot
pink moving trucks on the road,and we're going to talk all
(01:20):
about how she got to thatgorgeous hot pink color later in
our conversation.
Amy is also founder and CEO ofSugar Mamas Movement, which
seeks to facilitate connectingwomen together for the purpose
of growth, support and successby coming together with our own
richest resources, and I lovethis concept so much because
(01:41):
community has become even moreimportant, I think, in this
digital age that we're living in, and in a time when we're
talking about loneliness andmaking and creating adult
friendships, amy's created thisincredible community that's not
just a community, but it's athird space for connection,
commerce, friendship andcommunity building.
Welcome, amy.
Speaker 3 (02:02):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
You made me sound so good you are so good, you are so
good girl.
So, amy, I want to just likelet's kind of set the table here
and talk about how you wentfrom being an owner in a very
male-dominated industry which Ican relate to, working in
manufacturing and you know it's.
(02:24):
You know a male-dominatedindustry of moving and hauling
and this you know building a newbusiness, Sugar Mama.
So walk us through kind of thattrajectory, how you got from
there to here.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
That is.
So that's such a loadedquestion because I feel like
there was never like a straightline or like a plan, to be
honest, for either business.
It just happened.
I don't want to say I fell intoit, because that insinuates
that things were easy and youjust you know, but I have been.
(02:56):
We celebrate our 20 years inbusiness with American Moving
and Hauling this month in May.
Wow, Congratulations.
Thank you so much.
I tell people that I startedwhen I was five, Because you
like, we will.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
We're going to get to just the whole Amy job.
Vibe, look because youdefinitely have a presence that
I think is very distinctive.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Yeah Well, thank you.
But yeah, so I.
I think that the reason Istarted Sugar Mamas not, I think
I know I had done business bymyself for so long and in a
male-dominated industry where Ididn't find a lot of kinship, I
didn't find a lot of partners, Ididn't find a lot of
information, because I feel likewomen are socialized to
(03:41):
collaborate more and men arevery competitive and when it's
in a boys industry, in a malecircle, they're very gatekeeping
and they don't take youseriously, and so I just felt
kind of isolated in doing themoving company and I wanted to
create something where womencould support each other.
(04:04):
And so I think there's so manydifferent stops along the way.
But I had went to a women'sconference I think it was about
three years ago and it was likea whole new world opened up to
me that I really didn't knowexisted because I was doing
everything alone and I didn'tknow that there were women out
(04:26):
here that were like go girl, youknow, like I had never
experienced that before, and soI feel like from that moment on
it really sparked something inme and so over the last few
years I've just really beenorganically supporting women,
referring women, you know,connecting people and it's just
been like a huge passion of mineand Sugar Mamas came out of.
(04:52):
I tell people that I kind of putthe cart before the horse,
because I said I want to createan amazing event for women in
the community.
That is twofold, that itsupports women in business and
also brings you know, like theoverworked, overstressed,
burnout women in the communitytogether to like just have a
celebratory day right, enjoythemselves.
(05:13):
And so I started doing that.
But then, as I got deeper intothe why, I was like this isn't
just it, it's just not a one dayevent.
Like I want a continuous it.
It's just not a one day event.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
Like I want a continuous community of women,
like I don't want to just waitone, one day a year and be like,
oh yeah, this is great, justhave like a thing, it's just to
do like a party.
Yeah, yeah, uh-huh, exactly.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
So that's kind of where it came from.
And you know, you know we youand I both work with Jodi Brim
and um, she gives some prompts,you know some journal prompts
and stuff like that.
That will rock your world and Ifeel like that's where it
really started.
Unearthing things for me iswhen I took the time to sit down
and process like what are youdoing?
Why are you doing?
Why do you want to do it?
Speaker 2 (05:56):
What's your why?
Speaker 3 (05:58):
What's your why?
Speaker 2 (06:01):
here.
I think that's really powerful,amy.
So one there are a couple ofthings that I love, which is
that it takes a lot of guts tojust say you know what I'm going
to put this group together ofwomen.
There's this experience that Iwant to have, that I wish I'd
had, and I want to create it forother women, and I love that.
(06:22):
You like what.
I wonder if you could just talkabout, like, the time from
concept to execution.
How long did that take?
Like, did you do you feel like,did you overthink it or did you
like, okay, I'm just gonna goand see what happens and like,
let's just learn from thisexperience.
Like, what was that process ofputting that first kind of event
together?
Speaker 3 (06:43):
And yeah, I'm a chronic overthinker, but I think
that I was around the rightpeople that gave me the push
that I needed to do it.
So, from the time that Istarted planning the shopping
event was around October of 2023.
And then by March of 2024 iswhen I launched the membership.
(07:06):
We had the event and launchedthe membership.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
So you did an event and describe the shopping event
for people Cause now I've beento both of your shopping events
and I always say every year I'mnot shopping anymore.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
I have enough clothes .
Speaker 2 (07:21):
I have enough candles , listen, I have enough body
creams.
And then, girl, I'm at thatshopping event like shopping,
like my little little ones on it.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
So they appreciate you coming through the doors I'm
shopping for my life, I was.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
I am shopping, you will get.
You will get portion amountsmoney, let me tell you at a
sugar mama's event, but talkabout, like, talk about the,
because this is actually it's areally cool concept and just so,
talk about the shopping eventand how that came together and
yeah and what you kind of whatyou learned.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
Yeah, oh gosh.
So so many things.
I could probably write a novel.
Um, so the concept for theshopping experience is to is to
bring all women owned businessestogether.
So, um, we did that withvendors and sponsors, so it was
an all women owned extravaganza.
(08:08):
Basically, we let a few men into do some key things, but
really it was just.
It was just women and that'swhat I wanted to create, because
I thought that's so powerfulfor other women to see, like
what we can produce.
And so I really curated thisevent really carefully and I
(08:29):
don't want to come off assnobbish or anything like that,
but what I didn't want to createwas like a flea market or an
outdoor craft market.
I really wanted to put togetherreally great, you know,
artisans and vendors andboutiques that really curate
their line of things, and sothat was really important to me
to put together something reallyquality.
(08:51):
And so that's what we did.
I think we did that reallyreally well.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
And it was a real like one of the things I'd love
for you to also talk, maybeunpack a little bit more is like
it was, because, you're right,it wasn't a flea market, it
wasn't like going to a farmer'smarket or just a craft.
It was like you walked intothis beautiful space.
There was, there was music,there were beautiful decorations
.
Sugar Mamas has an incrediblelook.
(09:19):
The minute you walk in, you'relike, oh, I'm someplace special
and there's really wonderfulthings around me, and so I just
like it's.
You cure, you create it such anamazing experience that, like I
, it's very it was reallymemorable.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
Oh, that means so much.
When I get feedback like that,I'm just like I did what I set
out to do because I wanted tomake it special.
I wanted to make it special forwomen that attended and women
that participated.
And yeah, we did, we had Itotally forgot about that, like
I've just been doing it.
So like we, we have a DJ, wehad a bar, we had all the
sayings and I was that amazing,that was so gorgeous VAT sex you
(10:01):
had a VAT.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
You had a VAT Wow.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
Was that amazing.
That was so gorgeous.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
It was amazing, it was gorgeous, it was gorgeous
and I think what I love for youknow people, so one is like you
created this space for women, bywomen, and it was very, it was
very unique.
Uh, and it's in what it offeredand what, um, like you walked
away feeling like people arejust smiling.
Everywhere People were smilingand the photo booths and
everything was just sothoughtful in terms of all the
(10:31):
details.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
Thank you.
Yeah, that's one reason wedecided to name it the shopping
experience, because that's whatwe wanted to provide for women,
and a lot of the feedback thatwe've gotten has been, you know,
it was just such a supportiveenvironment.
Everyone was happy to be there.
It was so encouraging and therewas, like newer businesses that
participated I mean like brandnew, like just had started you
(10:55):
know a couple months, and theywere just like I can't believe
how much positivity we got fromthis event and it was just it's
really lit a fire for me tocontinue.
So I was like you know what wedid that?
Speaker 2 (11:08):
You really did.
Now I'm curious, like in termsof the like we won't go too far
down this rabbit hole, but likein terms of the business model,
because Sugar Mamas isn't justonly the shopping experience,
right, like you've done, likeyou so talk about just the
overall, what container, if youwill, for what Sugar Mamas is,
because the shopping experienceis kind of one pillar of it, but
(11:30):
there's other aspects of SugarMamas.
Speaker 3 (11:31):
Right.
I would say that Sugar Mamas islike the wedding dress and the
train is the shopping experience.
So we have a full-on missionthat is outside of this.
It's not this is not just.
This is more kind of like ashowcase of the women in our
(11:52):
community, but Sugar Mamasitself is a membership-based
community, education, value totheir entrepreneurial experience
, as well as providing communitythat can just listen and not
always try to fix every singlething but just be like you know
(12:13):
what.
I know exactly how you feel andit's going to get better and we
might cry tonight and in themorning we'll get up and we'll
start again because we're allcrazy.
But it is a community.
We do meet in person and we dovirtual as well.
So we try to accommodatepeople's schedule because, like
as you said, busy, busyschedules.
(12:36):
It's sort of like that.
You know you just try your bestto meet up and put everything
you know in your schedule, butwe try to be accommodating in
that, in that way so you havelike, is it monthly meetings?
Speaker 2 (12:50):
and I know you've had some interesting topical ones,
like you do one like on sexualhealth.
I think, which, by the way, the, the um, the instagram reel for
that.
I think it was like with apopping balloon I died, I died,
I died.
It wasn't like, I wasn't likeon vaginal blindness, I wasn't.
I was like, yeah, it's sexualhealth and I was like, oh my God
(13:12):
, I went there Exactly.
Speaker 3 (13:15):
No, I'm not afraid to talk about a lot of things you
know you're not so I know thatif I embarrass my mother, I'm
going in the right direction.
So that's my gauge.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
That is the best.
That is what I, what I and whatI love is like.
And I think when people youknow we're going to share all
your social handles, when peoplesee Amy Jaa, like not only do
you have this incrediblepresence, but it's real.
Like you see Amy who's dressedup with her makeup on and she's
wearing her hot pink and herhair and for those of you who
(13:49):
can't see you're listening tothis she's got this really like
platinum blonde, pixie haircutand like perfect makeup.
But then there's like Amy inher kitchen eating chicken wings
with no makeup on in herbathrobe and you're like, wait a
minute, what?
And you're like talking about,like you're like smacking on
your chicken wing, talking aboutlike what's going, you know?
(14:10):
And it's like that is, and Ilove that about you because I
think that shows the fullness ofwhat it is to be a woman and to
be a mother and to be anentrepreneur and, like you, just
keep it all the way.
Speaker 3 (14:21):
Well, I get a lot of comments about that chicken wing
video.
People love it it was, it wasiconic.
Speaker 2 (14:29):
It was iconic Cause I was like is she?
Speaker 3 (14:30):
sure.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
And like you were like you weren't just eating
chicken, you were like leaninginto the chicken.
That was the other thing.
So I was like you were gettingafter the.
It was like a fake, like I'meating a chicken wing for
Instagram.
It was like I'm leaning, I'mtucking into this chicken wing.
And I happened to be right.
You got to get in there, girl.
(14:51):
You got to get all to me, yougot to get all the way in, and
so maybe that's a great way to.
Maybe it's a good segue to talkabout your brand and I think
I'm a little bit bored of thediscussion around professional
and personal brand but thereality is it's really important
, right, it's important, it'simportant and it's important to
know what you stand for.
(15:12):
You talked earlier about yourwhy.
So I'm just and we share amutual friend and advisor in
Jodi Brim Jodi Brim Creative.
We're going to shout out to you,jodi, but like, but just talk
about like your brand and likehow it's evolved, and like
because you show like you doshow up in a really distinctive
(15:34):
and authentic way.
So like, was that planned?
Like, how did you think about?
How do I want to show the worldwho Amy Jha is?
Speaker 3 (15:42):
You know it was not planned, like most of my life.
That's the best way to do it,like all my plans.
Yeah, exactly they usuallydon't go exactly the way I want.
So you know, I just think thatI am just interested in being
who I am and I don't care Not tosay.
(16:06):
You know, if someone doesn'tlike you it doesn't hurt your
feelings or whatever.
But at the end of the day.
I don't really care, becauseI'm just going to be who I am,
and so who's Amy and who is Amy?
Speaker 2 (16:16):
Like if you had to describe yourself.
I know, I'm just throwing allthese zingers at you.
Like, if you had to describeyourself, like, how would you
describe yourself?
Speaker 3 (16:23):
I think that humor is like at the top of my
personality.
Like that makes everythingbetter.
I can find humor in almostevery situation.
Personality Like that makeseverything better, I can find
humor in almost every situation.
That's why me and my husbandget along so well.
I'm also, like, very tenacious.
It's hard to get me to stopdoing something.
I will just keep on.
You know, can't?
(16:43):
I can't stop.
It's like taking a bone awayfrom a dog sometimes, and so I
think that's worked well for meand also not.
It just depends on thesituation.
But yeah, I just show up as me.
I feel like and when I startedbuilding my brand, I wasn't
(17:05):
thinking about building my brand, I was just getting on social
media and talking about stuffthat I felt was humorous, or
sharing stuff about my kids orsomething about work or whatever
.
It wasn't necessarily with aplan, it was just me being like
hey, I want to connect withpeople.
This person might think this isfunny or this person might
(17:25):
think this is interesting, andso that's kind of where I
started.
So that's kind of where Istarted.
And then I think, when Istarted turning that into, like
(17:48):
how can this benefit my business, I guess, or turning my
personality towards my business,not me.
That knew me and knew mypersonality and knew what I
wanted to share, and so it madeit much more seamless, like if
you're working with marketingprofessionals.
And again, jodi, you know sheknew me and helped me bring that
to a higher level.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
I guess I should say bring that to a higher level.
I guess I should say I lovethat you made that connection
between who you are and yourbusiness.
You know, because it's a big, Ithink, especially for women
entrepreneurs.
A lot of times we're like, well, there's my business and then
there's me, and then the realityis, is that your business is
infused with who you are and so,uh, you have the hot pink
(18:34):
trucks and like.
So, talk about like you know.
And again, I think, because alot of our listeners are kind of
early mid-career and they'refiguring these things out right,
and it's like is it like?
I think I can imagine now, not,I couldn't imagine this for amy
job, I can imagine this forothers saying like I could never
(18:54):
have a hot pink truck.
That is just like too over thetop, right, but in reality it
works seamlessly with who youare.
So just talk about like thoseelements that you started to
bring into the business and likewhat?
Like what worked well, werethere and also were there any
things worked well, were thereand also were there any things
that you tried out?
And you're like, eh, probably,maybe this is a bridge too far.
(19:16):
I don't want to, maybe Ishouldn't do that.
I'm just kind of curious, likewhat you've learned and trying
to building your, your brandpersonally, but like infusing
that into the business, intoyour businesses, I should say.
Speaker 3 (19:27):
Well, I think, I think that really to have a
business now, you have to showwho you are, because people do
not want to do business withpeople that they don't know
they're not going to give theirmoney to you.
Say it again so, unfortunately,if you don't like to put
yourself out there, you're kindof at a disadvantage already, so
(19:49):
you kind of have to forceyourself until you get to that
level of comfort.
You know, because we're wiredfor connection, right.
So whether we know youpersonally or not, we want to
feel like we connected with you.
Oh, we like we know herpersonality.
Oh, she's really fun.
She loves color, she loves thispink.
She must be like, really bubblyand you know I'd love to hang
(20:09):
out with her, so it's just kindof a natural thing.
And you know I'd love to hangout with her.
So it's just kind of a naturalthing.
And I think that you have to beyourself and who you are in
order to attract the people thatyou want to work with, because
some people would be repulsed byme Like, oh my God, like I
don't want to.
Like you know there's been menthat have made comments about
our truck and we have our sloganon the truck that says woman
(20:29):
owned.
Make your own sandwich.
Make your own sandwich, and someguys are so delicate with their
masculinity that that reallyoffends them.
Well, you're not my idealclient.
I don't want to work with you,you know.
So you know.
I don't know if that answersyour question completely, but I
(20:49):
feel like it was again.
It wasn't really planned.
I knew that the I love pink.
It worked well because 80% ofour customer base is are women.
That color is going to attractwomen, so there was some
marketing involved in that too.
But and it just worked greatalso that the Barbie movie came
out that year when we did all ofour rebranding and did all the
(21:10):
hot pink.
So I was like I couldn't haveplanned that better.
So there you go with, like nothaving the plan, yeah.
Speaker 2 (21:18):
Yeah Well.
But you know, I would say like,maybe not a plan, but you have
an instinct, yeah Right.
And when I'm hearing you sayand I think which is such a
great, a valuable takeaway forour listeners is like, trust,
who you are, trust to expressthat gut trust.
You know it is a pretty gutsymove to decide you're going to
(21:40):
paint your truck, to wrap yourtrucks in pink.
But also it's like very muchlike if you know amy jaw, you
know like then the pink truckstotally make sense.
Right, they totally make sensebecause that is like hot pink
and black is like that is yourcolor scheme and it's woven
(22:00):
through.
And I, when I see hot pink andblack, I'm like where is Amy?
Where is Amy?
somewhere, amy is somewhere inthe building she's in the
building when I see hot pink,when I see hot and so, and so I
love that.
Whether intentionally or maybesubconsciously, you've brought
that, you know, and I'm amarketer too, so I think a lot
about these things as a you know, I've been a chief marketing
(22:23):
officer and now in my ownbusiness.
But, uh, I think a lot aboutlike gosh, that's like, it's so,
and the fact that like, like,if I see hot pink and black, I
think about you.
Speaker 3 (22:32):
I'm like that's good, we did it.
Speaker 2 (22:35):
That's the recall.
That's the recall you'relooking for.
Right, and, and so you know.
So the question is like for ourlisteners is like, what's that
one thing that can be memorableabout who you?
Speaker 3 (22:45):
are.
It doesn't have to be a colorper se, but it's like how you
show up and I think that youknow like this is a little off
topic, but like I have kind ofpretty much given up LinkedIn.
I tried it.
I tried it.
I realized it's not for me,it's not where my client base is
at.
It works great for a lot ofpeople, but I felt like who I am
(23:08):
doesn't project well on thatplatform.
So I had to take a step backand say, am I going to continue
to kind of spin my wheels to anaudience that's not mine, you
know, or change the way that Iam to grab an audience, you know
.
So I think you have to learnwho your audience is and how
much you want to show ofyourself or how professional you
(23:31):
want to look.
I am anti-corporate, so you'renever going to get that vibe
from me.
But you know, if that's yourfield, then that might be your
platform.
Speaker 2 (23:40):
It really just individual you know I love that
and it's interesting.
So I'm super fascinated that,like you think LinkedIn, because
I mean I would think with yourbusiness and everything,
linkedin would be perfect, butyou're saying like, no, like,
that's not where my audience is.
Do you get business fromInstagram?
Do you find that like?
Or do you find that like you'rethe um, you know, uh,
(24:04):
engagement you get converts intobusiness for you, whether it's
for sugar mamas and or themoving it is.
Speaker 3 (24:11):
It is.
It's Instagram for sugar mamas.
It's for Sugar Mamas.
And or the Moving and Haulingit is.
It is it's Instagram for SugarMamas.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
It's Facebook for American Moving and Hauling,
yeah.
Speaker 3 (24:18):
So it depends on the ages and the interests, and so
we convert a lot of salesthrough Facebook for American
Moving and Hauling and we builda lot of relationships and build
a lot of clientele, you know,through Instagram with Sugar
Mama.
So it's just kind of findingwhere your people are and that
takes, you know, studying it andbeing aware of, like you know,
(24:41):
taking a step back and be likeoh okay, these are my people
over here no-transcript.
Speaker 2 (25:16):
Someone came up to me and she's like oh, I love your
sports mom.
I know I do too.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
That's what I think about when I think about you.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
Yeah, I was like wow.
I was like, oh, wow, she's likeyou know and you talk about.
You know I call my daughterbaby girl boss and you know it's
like, so it's very interesting,like you're right, like the
like how you and I'm consistentacross my platforms, but you, I,
you'll see me a slightlydifferently on LinkedIn.
I still talk about being a momand an entrepreneur, but a
(25:44):
little bit differently.
So, um, so I love that you talkabout like how your, you know
your audience segments.
Talk about like how your youknow your audience segments,
like knowing your audience andthen like knowing where your
audience is too right, like andreally leaning into that.
So I'm curious what?
So let's back to Sugar Mamas.
Like, what's in the?
So you've had, you've had acouple of really good years.
You know we're talking kind ofin the green room about just you
(26:07):
know, the shopping experienceand the comparing the first year
to the second year.
What's in the future for SugarMamas movement?
Speaker 3 (26:15):
So we're going to continue with our membership for
sure, because that's really ourbackbone of the of the business
and we want to continue doingthat.
We may restructure a little bitin 2026 to to provide some
different tiered options formembership.
So you know it, it may not beall local ladies.
There'll be a virtual componentfor people that are not in the
(26:37):
area and that's all they can fitin their schedule.
So I'm excited about that.
Speaker 2 (26:41):
So you're going national?
Are we carrying this here?
You're going to go national.
Speaker 3 (26:44):
You're getting a little carried away with the
national, but maybe Okay, okay,sorry, no, no, I have high hopes
.
I love that.
I love that Dream big right.
Yes, I would love thatAbsolutely.
So, yeah, we'll do that, butwe'll also still offer a local
component, because I feel likeit is important to meet in
(27:05):
person, just because I think wegive up community for
convenience now, and that'sthat's, you know.
Because you can get anything athome, right, you can get a
degree at home, you can getdinner, you can get your
groceries, you can get whatever.
So there's something to be saidabout, even if occasionally,
you know, putting yourself outthere and connecting with people
(27:25):
.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
We got to go outside.
What Amy Jo is saying is y'allneed to get outside, go outside.
And this is a message I need tohear, because I am a homebody,
amy, and, like I said, it's abig deal If you can get me to
come out, I'm so honored.
I've told people like I don'tgo outside a lot, you know.
(27:48):
But, no, but I actuallyabsolutely agree with you Like
the convenience of just gettingeverything at home.
The downside of that is we dolose community, so I that's why
I just love what you're whatyou're creating.
Speaker 3 (28:00):
Thank you, yes, and I'm so glad you put pants on to
come out and see me that.
Speaker 2 (28:05):
I did, I didn't, I just I put like I got, I got.
You know I got.
Because the other thing I'venoticed is like and this is the
same for Jodi Brim event too islike people, sort of like zhuzh
up a bit.
You know what I mean it's likeand again, I think it's like I
know it's going to be anexperience.
So let me sort of match thematch the moment and like look
(28:26):
cute, you always look cute.
Um, so I, you know what I tryto when I go outside well, and
this is part of my thing too islike I did and you do too, and
this is a very funny thing.
This is a real thing, right,like you have, like we were
making, like we put our faces onwhen we go out, like I like to.
I it's, you know, people do seeme dress down and like I
(28:48):
definitely will have my bathrobe.
I think I've done stuff in mybathrobe online, but I really do
think about wanting to justshow up for myself.
Yes, I love good yoga pants anda t-shirt, but I do try to,
like, when I go out, like putmyself together, not for other
people, but more like for myself, and I've noticed that.
Speaker 3 (29:09):
I do.
I think there's something to besaid about, but more like for
myself and I've noticed that Ido I think there's something to
be said about you know and Idon't do this every day, like
before this, you know, I was inmy green bathrobe, so but
there's something to be saidLike I feel like when you dress
up and you put makeup on and youshave your underarms, you're
like, okay, I feel better aboutmyself, like I feel like I can
do more, I feel more confident.
Speaker 2 (29:30):
Absolutely, Absolutely Like you, just yeah,
you just feel like, okay, thisis like I can, I'm, you know,
I'm all together, Okay, so, Amy,we are at the part.
This is like my favorite partof the interview.
It's called the lightning roundand are you ready?
Speaker 3 (29:48):
I'm sure.
Okay, are you?
Speaker 2 (29:49):
ready?
Okay, okay, are you ready?
Okay, okay, don't be scared,don't be scared.
I will just say, sometimes thelightning round can be a bit
obvious.
Speaker 3 (29:57):
I love it.
Speaker 2 (29:58):
But we always have a lot of fun with it.
Yeah, so what?
Okay, so let's start withsomething easy.
What is a motto or phrase thatdefines your personality or
mindset?
I would say I am not going todo what you tell me to do and
(30:20):
that is why you are onUngovernable Women.
That is why you areungovernable.
I love that.
Speaker 3 (30:25):
I love that Can't be controlled, Can't be controlled.
Speaker 2 (30:29):
I am like I tell people ungovernable right.
I love it.
Um.
So like what?
Um?
Is there a book you findyourself recommending um or or
gifting.
Speaker 3 (30:40):
I don't.
Actually, I would say my numberone book is the Bible.
This the sword of God.
Okay, that will slice you rightup.
So, uh, you know, but I don'tgo around Bible thumping people
either.
So I would love to get to apoint in my life when I actually
(31:00):
have the time to read, but Ifeel like I haven't read a full
book in about five years, justbecause life.
Speaker 2 (31:10):
Well, and you've got you know you've got young kids
too Like it's it is.
It is a real thing, especiallywhen you're running your own
business, you've got multiplebusinesses and you're a mom and
it's like.
It's like time is time is.
It is really hard to capture.
Okay, here's one.
I want you to, I want you tojust lean into this one.
(31:31):
What's a secret, unpopularopinion?
You hold.
Speaker 3 (31:36):
Oh my goodness, don't hold back.
That is so tough.
I'll say something on thelighter side, that's not really
that deep.
I do not enjoy calendar invites.
I think they are heinous.
(31:57):
I hate them and I will only leta small percentage of people
send me a calendar invitebecause I have to control my
calendar.
I'm a control freak so I'm likethis does not look right.
Does it have the notes I wantin it?
So yeah, people love them, I donot.
Speaker 2 (32:16):
Okay, so we're going to pull the thread on this.
This is a really good one.
This is why I love thisquestion.
So you don't like it becauseyou don't feel like people fill
out?
They don't do the calendarinvite correctly, or is it just
like there's people too manypeople are asking for my time?
I don't want them.
So what is it about thecalendar?
Speaker 3 (32:37):
I think it's a couple of different things.
One I've already added it,before you even thought to type
it up, it's already in mycalendar.
If we discussed it, it's there.
So now I have a duplicate.
And then this is so silly,right, and then I'll have have a
?
Speaker 2 (32:55):
it's a little unhinged, but keep going.
Speaker 3 (32:57):
It's a little unhinged, but keep going, and
then I'll put my own wacky notesin there, like I can't edit
your calendar invite, but I canedit mine.
I can put whatever I want tolike.
Oh, I want to talk about this.
I need to do this after I needto.
So your calendar invite ismessing up my already perfect
calendar.
Okay, I know it's a problem.
(33:21):
It's a control problem.
Speaker 2 (33:23):
Yeah, it is.
You are an icon.
I love that, I love that.
So I love this question so muchbecause that's so funny, like
my thing.
That drives me crazy is when,like people send it In fact, I
probably will go on an Instagramharangue on this it's like they
send you a calendar invite andit just has like something
really cryptic in the subjectheader and you don't know what
(33:48):
the meeting is about.
So you're like well, what isthe LTP?
What is the LTP conversation?
Speaker 3 (33:54):
It makes sense to them, but not to you.
That's what I'm saying.
Speaker 2 (33:56):
It's like Right, and then it's like a month from when
you Okay.
I'm also unhinged about thisthing.
It's like a month from when youactually are going to have the
meeting.
So, like when it's time for themeeting, you're like what is
this meeting Like?
What is this Like?
Do I need to be there?
Because I don't know.
I don't know what the LTP combois, because there's no notes or
(34:19):
anything Like.
It's crazy, right.
Okay, so people, what Amy andPortia are saying is get your
shit together when it comes tocalendar invites, but also, if
you're going to, don't send Amyone because you just want to
tell her what the meeting'sabout because she's going to put
the invite in.
But when it's a Zoom, what doyou do?
Because people are going toinvite you to things and they're
(34:42):
going to send you a link.
I'll copy the Zoom link and putit in my own.
Speaker 3 (34:46):
I'm going to play with y'all.
Y'all might go mess my calendarup.
I'm like I got it.
Don't worry about it, it'salready down.
You have to trust me.
Speaker 2 (34:57):
Amy, that is certifiably the most insane
thing I've ever heard.
Oh my, that is amazing.
Okay, oh, okay, I am crying, Iam crying.
That is like you are leaving mein a shambles.
Okay, so last question, lastquestion what's a hobby you have
(35:18):
that would surprise people?
Oh, my gosh, what is a?
Speaker 3 (35:20):
hobby.
Speaker 2 (35:22):
What is a hobby?
Speaker 1 (35:27):
I know what a hobby is.
Speaker 2 (35:30):
A hobby is something you do for fun, that you don't
have to make money doing.
You just kind of do it.
Speaker 3 (35:37):
I'll tell you what.
I'll tell you the closest thingI've had to a hobby lately and
I get to do it about twice ayear is floating in a pool at
the spa.
That's about it.
Speaker 2 (35:57):
Oh, that's very nice.
That's very nice.
Somebody I asked this questionof another guest and she was
like my hobby is making money.
I love that.
And I was like, okay, that'syou know what.
I will just say real talk.
It is very hard to have hobbies.
I've started to do like 3dpuzzles just to relax, um, but I
find most of the time it's hardto make.
I'm like I work all the timeand but I but I enjoy working
(36:19):
too.
Speaker 3 (36:19):
That's the other thing so that's it, you know you
know, like, where we are.
Speaker 2 (36:23):
We love what we do, um, but I, I love the idea of
floating in a pool at a spa.
That sounds, uh, that soundsdivine.
It's nice, amy, I has been.
It's been such a delight to bewith you today.
And I'm wondering if there'slike a final thought or word you
wanted to leave with ourlisteners today.
Speaker 3 (36:40):
I just want to say be yourself, because the people
that need you are looking foryou, so let them find you, girl.
Speaker 2 (36:48):
Let them find you, girl.
That is such a wonderful way toend our talk today, our
conversation.
Amy Jo, thanks so much forjoining us.
Speaker 3 (36:57):
Well, thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (37:00):
Thanks for listening to Ungovernable Women.
Our producer and editor isMegan King.
Our social media manager isDestiny Eicher.
Be sure to rate, review andsubscribe to our show on Apple
Podcasts, spotify or whereveryou listen to your pods.
Your ratings help otherlisteners find us.
You can follow and DM us onInstagram at ungovernablexwomen,
(37:22):
and TikTok atungovernablexwomen.
See you next time.
Hi, I'm Portia Mount, creator and host of
Ungovernable Women, formerly theManifesta Podcast, the
lifestyle and career podcast foraspiring women.
Our new name reflects ourmission to reach even more
listeners with stories of womenwho are breaking boundaries and
redefining success.
I have a favor to ask you, ifyou haven't done so already,
please rate and subscribe to thepod.
(00:21):
Wherever you listen to yourpodcasts, it boosts our rankings
and helps more people discoverus.
Thanks for tuning in.
Welcome to Season 5 ofUngovernable Women, the career
and lifestyle podcast foraspiring women ready to break
barriers.
I'm Portia Mouw and I'mthrilled to be back.
We've got a new name, but ourmission remains stronger than
(00:43):
ever helping women find theirpurpose, lead high-impact
careers and meaningful lives.
This season, we'll bring youthe stories of women who forged
their own paths to success.
It's our time to shine.
Let's dive in.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Hey squad, I am so happy to welcome a woman whom
I've admired for many years.
Amy Jha is owner of AmericanMoving and hauling, a
woman-owned family-run businesslocated here in North Carolina,
and if you are in the Carolinas,you may have seen their hot
pink moving trucks on the road,and we're going to talk all
(01:20):
about how she got to thatgorgeous hot pink color later in
our conversation.
Amy is also founder and CEO ofSugar Mamas Movement, which
seeks to facilitate connectingwomen together for the purpose
of growth, support and successby coming together with our own
richest resources, and I lovethis concept so much because
(01:41):
community has become even moreimportant, I think, in this
digital age that we're living in, and in a time when we're
talking about loneliness andmaking and creating adult
friendships, amy's created thisincredible community that's not
just a community, but it's athird space for connection,
commerce, friendship andcommunity building.
Welcome, amy.
Speaker 3 (02:02):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
You made me sound so good you are so good, you are so
good girl.
So, amy, I want to just likelet's kind of set the table here
and talk about how you wentfrom being an owner in a very
male-dominated industry which Ican relate to, working in
manufacturing and you know it's.
(02:24):
You know a male-dominatedindustry of moving and hauling
and this you know building a newbusiness, Sugar Mama.
So walk us through kind of thattrajectory, how you got from
there to here.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
That is.
So that's such a loadedquestion because I feel like
there was never like a straightline or like a plan, to be
honest, for either business.
It just happened.
I don't want to say I fell intoit, because that insinuates
that things were easy and youjust you know, but I have been.
(02:56):
We celebrate our 20 years inbusiness with American Moving
and Hauling this month in May.
Wow, Congratulations.
Thank you so much.
I tell people that I startedwhen I was five, Because you
like, we will.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
We're going to get to just the whole Amy job.
Vibe, look because youdefinitely have a presence that
I think is very distinctive.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Yeah Well, thank you.
But yeah, so I.
I think that the reason Istarted Sugar Mamas not, I think
I know I had done business bymyself for so long and in a
male-dominated industry where Ididn't find a lot of kinship, I
didn't find a lot of partners, Ididn't find a lot of
information, because I feel likewomen are socialized to
(03:41):
collaborate more and men arevery competitive and when it's
in a boys industry, in a malecircle, they're very gatekeeping
and they don't take youseriously, and so I just felt
kind of isolated in doing themoving company and I wanted to
create something where womencould support each other.
(04:04):
And so I think there's so manydifferent stops along the way.
But I had went to a women'sconference I think it was about
three years ago and it was likea whole new world opened up to
me that I really didn't knowexisted because I was doing
everything alone and I didn'tknow that there were women out
(04:26):
here that were like go girl, youknow, like I had never
experienced that before, and soI feel like from that moment on
it really sparked something inme and so over the last few
years I've just really beenorganically supporting women,
referring women, you know,connecting people and it's just
been like a huge passion of mineand Sugar Mamas came out of.
(04:52):
I tell people that I kind of putthe cart before the horse,
because I said I want to createan amazing event for women in
the community.
That is twofold, that itsupports women in business and
also brings you know, like theoverworked, overstressed,
burnout women in the communitytogether to like just have a
celebratory day right, enjoythemselves.
(05:13):
And so I started doing that.
But then, as I got deeper intothe why, I was like this isn't
just it, it's just not a one dayevent.
Like I want a continuous it.
It's just not a one day event.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
Like I want a continuous community of women,
like I don't want to just waitone, one day a year and be like,
oh yeah, this is great, justhave like a thing, it's just to
do like a party.
Yeah, yeah, uh-huh, exactly.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
So that's kind of where it came from.
And you know, you know we youand I both work with Jodi Brim
and um, she gives some prompts,you know some journal prompts
and stuff like that.
That will rock your world and Ifeel like that's where it
really started.
Unearthing things for me iswhen I took the time to sit down
and process like what are youdoing?
Why are you doing?
Why do you want to do it?
Speaker 2 (05:56):
What's your why?
Speaker 3 (05:58):
What's your why?
Speaker 2 (06:01):
here.
I think that's really powerful,amy.
So one there are a couple ofthings that I love, which is
that it takes a lot of guts tojust say you know what I'm going
to put this group together ofwomen.
There's this experience that Iwant to have, that I wish I'd
had, and I want to create it forother women, and I love that.
(06:22):
You like what.
I wonder if you could just talkabout, like, the time from
concept to execution.
How long did that take?
Like, did you do you feel like,did you overthink it or did you
like, okay, I'm just gonna goand see what happens and like,
let's just learn from thisexperience.
Like, what was that process ofputting that first kind of event
together?
Speaker 3 (06:43):
And yeah, I'm a chronic overthinker, but I think
that I was around the rightpeople that gave me the push
that I needed to do it.
So, from the time that Istarted planning the shopping
event was around October of 2023.
And then by March of 2024 iswhen I launched the membership.
(07:06):
We had the event and launchedthe membership.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
So you did an event and describe the shopping event
for people Cause now I've beento both of your shopping events
and I always say every year I'mnot shopping anymore.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
I have enough clothes .
Speaker 2 (07:21):
I have enough candles , listen, I have enough body
creams.
And then, girl, I'm at thatshopping event like shopping,
like my little little ones on it.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
So they appreciate you coming through the doors I'm
shopping for my life, I was.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
I am shopping, you will get.
You will get portion amountsmoney, let me tell you at a
sugar mama's event, but talkabout, like, talk about the,
because this is actually it's areally cool concept and just so,
talk about the shopping eventand how that came together and
yeah and what you kind of whatyou learned.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
Yeah, oh gosh.
So so many things.
I could probably write a novel.
Um, so the concept for theshopping experience is to is to
bring all women owned businessestogether.
So, um, we did that withvendors and sponsors, so it was
an all women owned extravaganza.
(08:08):
Basically, we let a few men into do some key things, but
really it was just.
It was just women and that'swhat I wanted to create, because
I thought that's so powerfulfor other women to see, like
what we can produce.
And so I really curated thisevent really carefully and I
(08:29):
don't want to come off assnobbish or anything like that,
but what I didn't want to createwas like a flea market or an
outdoor craft market.
I really wanted to put togetherreally great, you know,
artisans and vendors andboutiques that really curate
their line of things, and sothat was really important to me
to put together something reallyquality.
(08:51):
And so that's what we did.
I think we did that reallyreally well.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
And it was a real like one of the things I'd love
for you to also talk, maybeunpack a little bit more is like
it was, because, you're right,it wasn't a flea market, it
wasn't like going to a farmer'smarket or just a craft.
It was like you walked intothis beautiful space.
There was, there was music,there were beautiful decorations
.
Sugar Mamas has an incrediblelook.
(09:19):
The minute you walk in, you'relike, oh, I'm someplace special
and there's really wonderfulthings around me, and so I just
like it's.
You cure, you create it such anamazing experience that, like I
, it's very it was reallymemorable.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
Oh, that means so much.
When I get feedback like that,I'm just like I did what I set
out to do because I wanted tomake it special.
I wanted to make it special forwomen that attended and women
that participated.
And yeah, we did, we had Itotally forgot about that, like
I've just been doing it.
So like we, we have a DJ, wehad a bar, we had all the
sayings and I was that amazing,that was so gorgeous VAT sex you
(10:01):
had a VAT.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
You had a VAT Wow.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
Was that amazing.
That was so gorgeous.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
It was amazing, it was gorgeous, it was gorgeous
and I think what I love for youknow people, so one is like you
created this space for women, bywomen, and it was very, it was
very unique.
Uh, and it's in what it offeredand what, um, like you walked
away feeling like people arejust smiling.
Everywhere People were smilingand the photo booths and
everything was just sothoughtful in terms of all the
(10:31):
details.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
Thank you.
Yeah, that's one reason wedecided to name it the shopping
experience, because that's whatwe wanted to provide for women,
and a lot of the feedback thatwe've gotten has been, you know,
it was just such a supportiveenvironment.
Everyone was happy to be there.
It was so encouraging and therewas, like newer businesses that
participated I mean like brandnew, like just had started you
(10:55):
know a couple months, and theywere just like I can't believe
how much positivity we got fromthis event and it was just it's
really lit a fire for me tocontinue.
So I was like you know what wedid that?
Speaker 2 (11:08):
You really did.
Now I'm curious, like in termsof the like we won't go too far
down this rabbit hole, but likein terms of the business model,
because Sugar Mamas isn't justonly the shopping experience,
right, like you've done, likeyou so talk about just the
overall, what container, if youwill, for what Sugar Mamas is,
because the shopping experienceis kind of one pillar of it, but
(11:30):
there's other aspects of SugarMamas.
Speaker 3 (11:31):
Right.
I would say that Sugar Mamas islike the wedding dress and the
train is the shopping experience.
So we have a full-on missionthat is outside of this.
It's not this is not just.
This is more kind of like ashowcase of the women in our
(11:52):
community, but Sugar Mamasitself is a membership-based
community, education, value totheir entrepreneurial experience
, as well as providing communitythat can just listen and not
always try to fix every singlething but just be like you know
(12:13):
what.
I know exactly how you feel andit's going to get better and we
might cry tonight and in themorning we'll get up and we'll
start again because we're allcrazy.
But it is a community.
We do meet in person and we dovirtual as well.
So we try to accommodatepeople's schedule because, like
as you said, busy, busyschedules.
(12:36):
It's sort of like that.
You know you just try your bestto meet up and put everything
you know in your schedule, butwe try to be accommodating in
that, in that way so you havelike, is it monthly meetings?
Speaker 2 (12:50):
and I know you've had some interesting topical ones,
like you do one like on sexualhealth.
I think, which, by the way, the, the um, the instagram reel for
that.
I think it was like with apopping balloon I died, I died,
I died.
It wasn't like, I wasn't likeon vaginal blindness, I wasn't.
I was like, yeah, it's sexualhealth and I was like, oh my God
(13:12):
, I went there Exactly.
Speaker 3 (13:15):
No, I'm not afraid to talk about a lot of things you
know you're not so I know thatif I embarrass my mother, I'm
going in the right direction.
So that's my gauge.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
That is the best.
That is what I, what I and whatI love is like.
And I think when people youknow we're going to share all
your social handles, when peoplesee Amy Jaa, like not only do
you have this incrediblepresence, but it's real.
Like you see Amy who's dressedup with her makeup on and she's
wearing her hot pink and herhair and for those of you who
(13:49):
can't see you're listening tothis she's got this really like
platinum blonde, pixie haircutand like perfect makeup.
But then there's like Amy inher kitchen eating chicken wings
with no makeup on in herbathrobe and you're like, wait a
minute, what?
And you're like talking about,like you're like smacking on
your chicken wing, talking aboutlike what's going, you know?
(14:10):
And it's like that is, and Ilove that about you because I
think that shows the fullness ofwhat it is to be a woman and to
be a mother and to be anentrepreneur and, like you, just
keep it all the way.
Speaker 3 (14:21):
Well, I get a lot of comments about that chicken wing
video.
People love it it was, it wasiconic.
Speaker 2 (14:29):
It was iconic Cause I was like is she?
Speaker 3 (14:30):
sure.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
And like you were like you weren't just eating
chicken, you were like leaninginto the chicken.
That was the other thing.
So I was like you were gettingafter the.
It was like a fake, like I'meating a chicken wing for
Instagram.
It was like I'm leaning, I'mtucking into this chicken wing.
And I happened to be right.
You got to get in there, girl.
(14:51):
You got to get all to me, yougot to get all the way in, and
so maybe that's a great way to.
Maybe it's a good segue to talkabout your brand and I think
I'm a little bit bored of thediscussion around professional
and personal brand but thereality is it's really important
, right, it's important, it'simportant and it's important to
know what you stand for.
(15:12):
You talked earlier about yourwhy.
So I'm just and we share amutual friend and advisor in
Jodi Brim Jodi Brim Creative.
We're going to shout out to you,jodi, but like, but just talk
about like your brand and likehow it's evolved, and like
because you show like you doshow up in a really distinctive
(15:34):
and authentic way.
So like, was that planned?
Like, how did you think about?
How do I want to show the worldwho Amy Jha is?
Speaker 3 (15:42):
You know it was not planned, like most of my life.
That's the best way to do it,like all my plans.
Yeah, exactly they usuallydon't go exactly the way I want.
So you know, I just think thatI am just interested in being
who I am and I don't care Not tosay.
(16:06):
You know, if someone doesn'tlike you it doesn't hurt your
feelings or whatever.
But at the end of the day.
I don't really care, becauseI'm just going to be who I am,
and so who's Amy and who is Amy?
Speaker 2 (16:16):
Like if you had to describe yourself.
I know, I'm just throwing allthese zingers at you.
Like, if you had to describeyourself, like, how would you
describe yourself?
Speaker 3 (16:23):
I think that humor is like at the top of my
personality.
Like that makes everythingbetter.
I can find humor in almostevery situation.
Personality Like that makeseverything better, I can find
humor in almost every situation.
That's why me and my husbandget along so well.
I'm also, like, very tenacious.
It's hard to get me to stopdoing something.
I will just keep on.
You know, can't?
(16:43):
I can't stop.
It's like taking a bone awayfrom a dog sometimes, and so I
think that's worked well for meand also not.
It just depends on thesituation.
But yeah, I just show up as me.
I feel like and when I startedbuilding my brand, I wasn't
(17:05):
thinking about building my brand, I was just getting on social
media and talking about stuffthat I felt was humorous, or
sharing stuff about my kids orsomething about work or whatever
.
It wasn't necessarily with aplan, it was just me being like
hey, I want to connect withpeople.
This person might think this isfunny or this person might
(17:25):
think this is interesting, andso that's kind of where I
started.
So that's kind of where Istarted.
And then I think, when Istarted turning that into, like
(17:48):
how can this benefit my business, I guess, or turning my
personality towards my business,not me.
That knew me and knew mypersonality and knew what I
wanted to share, and so it madeit much more seamless, like if
you're working with marketingprofessionals.
And again, jodi, you know sheknew me and helped me bring that
to a higher level.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
I guess I should say bring that to a higher level.
I guess I should say I lovethat you made that connection
between who you are and yourbusiness.
You know, because it's a big, Ithink, especially for women
entrepreneurs.
A lot of times we're like, well, there's my business and then
there's me, and then the realityis, is that your business is
infused with who you are and so,uh, you have the hot pink
(18:34):
trucks and like.
So, talk about like you know.
And again, I think, because alot of our listeners are kind of
early mid-career and they'refiguring these things out right,
and it's like is it like?
I think I can imagine now, not,I couldn't imagine this for amy
job, I can imagine this forothers saying like I could never
(18:54):
have a hot pink truck.
That is just like too over thetop, right, but in reality it
works seamlessly with who youare.
So just talk about like thoseelements that you started to
bring into the business and likewhat?
Like what worked well, werethere and also were there any
things worked well, were thereand also were there any things
that you tried out?
And you're like, eh, probably,maybe this is a bridge too far.
(19:16):
I don't want to, maybe Ishouldn't do that.
I'm just kind of curious, likewhat you've learned and trying
to building your, your brandpersonally, but like infusing
that into the business, intoyour businesses, I should say.
Speaker 3 (19:27):
Well, I think, I think that really to have a
business now, you have to showwho you are, because people do
not want to do business withpeople that they don't know
they're not going to give theirmoney to you.
Say it again so, unfortunately,if you don't like to put
yourself out there, you're kindof at a disadvantage already, so
(19:49):
you kind of have to forceyourself until you get to that
level of comfort.
You know, because we're wiredfor connection, right.
So whether we know youpersonally or not, we want to
feel like we connected with you.
Oh, we like we know herpersonality.
Oh, she's really fun.
She loves color, she loves thispink.
She must be like, really bubblyand you know I'd love to hang
(20:09):
out with her, so it's just kindof a natural thing.
And you know I'd love to hangout with her.
So it's just kind of a naturalthing.
And I think that you have to beyourself and who you are in
order to attract the people thatyou want to work with, because
some people would be repulsed byme Like, oh my God, like I
don't want to.
Like you know there's been menthat have made comments about
our truck and we have our sloganon the truck that says woman
(20:29):
owned.
Make your own sandwich.
Make your own sandwich, and someguys are so delicate with their
masculinity that that reallyoffends them.
Well, you're not my idealclient.
I don't want to work with you,you know.
So you know.
I don't know if that answersyour question completely, but I
(20:49):
feel like it was again.
It wasn't really planned.
I knew that the I love pink.
It worked well because 80% ofour customer base is are women.
That color is going to attractwomen, so there was some
marketing involved in that too.
But and it just worked greatalso that the Barbie movie came
out that year when we did all ofour rebranding and did all the
(21:10):
hot pink.
So I was like I couldn't haveplanned that better.
So there you go with, like nothaving the plan, yeah.
Speaker 2 (21:18):
Yeah Well.
But you know, I would say like,maybe not a plan, but you have
an instinct, yeah Right.
And when I'm hearing you sayand I think which is such a
great, a valuable takeaway forour listeners is like, trust,
who you are, trust to expressthat gut trust.
You know it is a pretty gutsymove to decide you're going to
(21:40):
paint your truck, to wrap yourtrucks in pink.
But also it's like very muchlike if you know amy jaw, you
know like then the pink truckstotally make sense.
Right, they totally make sensebecause that is like hot pink
and black is like that is yourcolor scheme and it's woven
(22:00):
through.
And I, when I see hot pink andblack, I'm like where is Amy?
Where is Amy?
somewhere, amy is somewhere inthe building she's in the
building when I see hot pink,when I see hot and so, and so I
love that.
Whether intentionally or maybesubconsciously, you've brought
that, you know, and I'm amarketer too, so I think a lot
about these things as a you know, I've been a chief marketing
(22:23):
officer and now in my ownbusiness.
But, uh, I think a lot aboutlike gosh, that's like, it's so,
and the fact that like, like,if I see hot pink and black, I
think about you.
Speaker 3 (22:32):
I'm like that's good, we did it.
Speaker 2 (22:35):
That's the recall.
That's the recall you'relooking for.
Right, and, and so you know.
So the question is like for ourlisteners is like, what's that
one thing that can be memorableabout who you?
Speaker 3 (22:45):
are.
It doesn't have to be a colorper se, but it's like how you
show up and I think that youknow like this is a little off
topic, but like I have kind ofpretty much given up LinkedIn.
I tried it.
I tried it.
I realized it's not for me,it's not where my client base is
at.
It works great for a lot ofpeople, but I felt like who I am
(23:08):
doesn't project well on thatplatform.
So I had to take a step backand say, am I going to continue
to kind of spin my wheels to anaudience that's not mine, you
know, or change the way that Iam to grab an audience, you know
.
So I think you have to learnwho your audience is and how
much you want to show ofyourself or how professional you
(23:31):
want to look.
I am anti-corporate, so you'renever going to get that vibe
from me.
But you know, if that's yourfield, then that might be your
platform.
Speaker 2 (23:40):
It really just individual you know I love that
and it's interesting.
So I'm super fascinated that,like you think LinkedIn, because
I mean I would think with yourbusiness and everything,
linkedin would be perfect, butyou're saying like, no, like,
that's not where my audience is.
Do you get business fromInstagram?
Do you find that like?
Or do you find that like you'rethe um, you know, uh,
(24:04):
engagement you get converts intobusiness for you, whether it's
for sugar mamas and or themoving it is.
Speaker 3 (24:11):
It is.
It's Instagram for sugar mamas.
It's for Sugar Mamas.
And or the Moving and Haulingit is.
It is it's Instagram for SugarMamas.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
It's Facebook for American Moving and Hauling,
yeah.
Speaker 3 (24:18):
So it depends on the ages and the interests, and so
we convert a lot of salesthrough Facebook for American
Moving and Hauling and we builda lot of relationships and build
a lot of clientele, you know,through Instagram with Sugar
Mama.
So it's just kind of findingwhere your people are and that
takes, you know, studying it andbeing aware of, like you know,
(24:41):
taking a step back and be likeoh okay, these are my people
over here no-transcript.
Speaker 2 (25:16):
Someone came up to me and she's like oh, I love your
sports mom.
I know I do too.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
That's what I think about when I think about you.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
Yeah, I was like wow.
I was like, oh, wow, she's likeyou know and you talk about.
You know I call my daughterbaby girl boss and you know it's
like, so it's very interesting,like you're right, like the
like how you and I'm consistentacross my platforms, but you, I,
you'll see me a slightlydifferently on LinkedIn.
I still talk about being a momand an entrepreneur, but a
(25:44):
little bit differently.
So, um, so I love that you talkabout like how your, you know
your audience segments.
Talk about like how your youknow your audience segments,
like knowing your audience andthen like knowing where your
audience is too right, like andreally leaning into that.
So I'm curious what?
So let's back to Sugar Mamas.
Like, what's in the?
So you've had, you've had acouple of really good years.
You know we're talking kind ofin the green room about just you
(26:07):
know, the shopping experienceand the comparing the first year
to the second year.
What's in the future for SugarMamas movement?
Speaker 3 (26:15):
So we're going to continue with our membership for
sure, because that's really ourbackbone of the of the business
and we want to continue doingthat.
We may restructure a little bitin 2026 to to provide some
different tiered options formembership.
So you know it, it may not beall local ladies.
There'll be a virtual componentfor people that are not in the
(26:37):
area and that's all they can fitin their schedule.
So I'm excited about that.
Speaker 2 (26:41):
So you're going national?
Are we carrying this here?
You're going to go national.
Speaker 3 (26:44):
You're getting a little carried away with the
national, but maybe Okay, okay,sorry, no, no, I have high hopes
.
I love that.
I love that Dream big right.
Yes, I would love thatAbsolutely.
So, yeah, we'll do that, butwe'll also still offer a local
component, because I feel likeit is important to meet in
(27:05):
person, just because I think wegive up community for
convenience now, and that'sthat's, you know.
Because you can get anything athome, right, you can get a
degree at home, you can getdinner, you can get your
groceries, you can get whatever.
So there's something to be saidabout, even if occasionally,
you know, putting yourself outthere and connecting with people
(27:25):
.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
We got to go outside.
What Amy Jo is saying is y'allneed to get outside, go outside.
And this is a message I need tohear, because I am a homebody,
amy, and, like I said, it's abig deal If you can get me to
come out, I'm so honored.
I've told people like I don'tgo outside a lot, you know.
(27:48):
But, no, but I actuallyabsolutely agree with you Like
the convenience of just gettingeverything at home.
The downside of that is we dolose community, so I that's why
I just love what you're whatyou're creating.
Speaker 3 (28:00):
Thank you, yes, and I'm so glad you put pants on to
come out and see me that.
Speaker 2 (28:05):
I did, I didn't, I just I put like I got, I got.
You know I got.
Because the other thing I'venoticed is like and this is the
same for Jodi Brim event too islike people, sort of like zhuzh
up a bit.
You know what I mean it's likeand again, I think it's like I
know it's going to be anexperience.
So let me sort of match thematch the moment and like look
(28:26):
cute, you always look cute.
Um, so I, you know what I tryto when I go outside well, and
this is part of my thing too islike I did and you do too, and
this is a very funny thing.
This is a real thing, right,like you have, like we were
making, like we put our faces onwhen we go out, like I like to.
I it's, you know, people do seeme dress down and like I
(28:48):
definitely will have my bathrobe.
I think I've done stuff in mybathrobe online, but I really do
think about wanting to justshow up for myself.
Yes, I love good yoga pants anda t-shirt, but I do try to,
like, when I go out, like putmyself together, not for other
people, but more like for myself, and I've noticed that.
Speaker 3 (29:09):
I do.
I think there's something to besaid about, but more like for
myself and I've noticed that Ido I think there's something to
be said about you know and Idon't do this every day, like
before this, you know, I was inmy green bathrobe, so but
there's something to be saidLike I feel like when you dress
up and you put makeup on and youshave your underarms, you're
like, okay, I feel better aboutmyself, like I feel like I can
do more, I feel more confident.
Speaker 2 (29:30):
Absolutely, Absolutely Like you, just yeah,
you just feel like, okay, thisis like I can, I'm, you know,
I'm all together, Okay, so, Amy,we are at the part.
This is like my favorite partof the interview.
It's called the lightning roundand are you ready?
Speaker 3 (29:48):
I'm sure.
Okay, are you?
Speaker 2 (29:49):
ready?
Okay, okay, are you ready?
Okay, okay, don't be scared,don't be scared.
I will just say, sometimes thelightning round can be a bit
obvious.
Speaker 3 (29:57):
I love it.
Speaker 2 (29:58):
But we always have a lot of fun with it.
Yeah, so what?
Okay, so let's start withsomething easy.
What is a motto or phrase thatdefines your personality or
mindset?
I would say I am not going todo what you tell me to do and
(30:20):
that is why you are onUngovernable Women.
That is why you areungovernable.
I love that.
Speaker 3 (30:25):
I love that Can't be controlled, Can't be controlled.
Speaker 2 (30:29):
I am like I tell people ungovernable right.
I love it.
Um.
So like what?
Um?
Is there a book you findyourself recommending um or or
gifting.
Speaker 3 (30:40):
I don't.
Actually, I would say my numberone book is the Bible.
This the sword of God.
Okay, that will slice you rightup.
So, uh, you know, but I don'tgo around Bible thumping people
either.
So I would love to get to apoint in my life when I actually
(31:00):
have the time to read, but Ifeel like I haven't read a full
book in about five years, justbecause life.
Speaker 2 (31:10):
Well, and you've got you know you've got young kids
too Like it's it is.
It is a real thing, especiallywhen you're running your own
business, you've got multiplebusinesses and you're a mom and
it's like.
It's like time is time is.
It is really hard to capture.
Okay, here's one.
I want you to, I want you tojust lean into this one.
(31:31):
What's a secret, unpopularopinion?
You hold.
Speaker 3 (31:36):
Oh my goodness, don't hold back.
That is so tough.
I'll say something on thelighter side, that's not really
that deep.
I do not enjoy calendar invites.
I think they are heinous.
(31:57):
I hate them and I will only leta small percentage of people
send me a calendar invitebecause I have to control my
calendar.
I'm a control freak so I'm likethis does not look right.
Does it have the notes I wantin it?
So yeah, people love them, I donot.
Speaker 2 (32:16):
Okay, so we're going to pull the thread on this.
This is a really good one.
This is why I love thisquestion.
So you don't like it becauseyou don't feel like people fill
out?
They don't do the calendarinvite correctly, or is it just
like there's people too manypeople are asking for my time?
I don't want them.
So what is it about thecalendar?
Speaker 3 (32:37):
I think it's a couple of different things.
One I've already added it,before you even thought to type
it up, it's already in mycalendar.
If we discussed it, it's there.
So now I have a duplicate.
And then this is so silly,right, and then I'll have have a
?
Speaker 2 (32:55):
it's a little unhinged, but keep going.
Speaker 3 (32:57):
It's a little unhinged, but keep going, and
then I'll put my own wacky notesin there, like I can't edit
your calendar invite, but I canedit mine.
I can put whatever I want tolike.
Oh, I want to talk about this.
I need to do this after I needto.
So your calendar invite ismessing up my already perfect
calendar.
Okay, I know it's a problem.
(33:21):
It's a control problem.
Speaker 2 (33:23):
Yeah, it is.
You are an icon.
I love that, I love that.
So I love this question so muchbecause that's so funny, like
my thing.
That drives me crazy is when,like people send it In fact, I
probably will go on an Instagramharangue on this it's like they
send you a calendar invite andit just has like something
really cryptic in the subjectheader and you don't know what
(33:48):
the meeting is about.
So you're like well, what isthe LTP?
What is the LTP conversation?
Speaker 3 (33:54):
It makes sense to them, but not to you.
That's what I'm saying.
Speaker 2 (33:56):
It's like Right, and then it's like a month from when
you Okay.
I'm also unhinged about thisthing.
It's like a month from when youactually are going to have the
meeting.
So, like when it's time for themeeting, you're like what is
this meeting Like?
What is this Like?
Do I need to be there?
Because I don't know.
I don't know what the LTP combois, because there's no notes or
(34:19):
anything Like.
It's crazy, right.
Okay, so people, what Amy andPortia are saying is get your
shit together when it comes tocalendar invites, but also, if
you're going to, don't send Amyone because you just want to
tell her what the meeting'sabout because she's going to put
the invite in.
But when it's a Zoom, what doyou do?
Because people are going toinvite you to things and they're
(34:42):
going to send you a link.
I'll copy the Zoom link and putit in my own.
Speaker 3 (34:46):
I'm going to play with y'all.
Y'all might go mess my calendarup.
I'm like I got it.
Don't worry about it, it'salready down.
You have to trust me.
Speaker 2 (34:57):
Amy, that is certifiably the most insane
thing I've ever heard.
Oh my, that is amazing.
Okay, oh, okay, I am crying, Iam crying.
That is like you are leaving mein a shambles.
Okay, so last question, lastquestion what's a hobby you have
(35:18):
that would surprise people?
Oh, my gosh, what is a?
Speaker 3 (35:20):
hobby.
Speaker 2 (35:22):
What is a hobby?
Speaker 1 (35:27):
I know what a hobby is.
Speaker 2 (35:30):
A hobby is something you do for fun, that you don't
have to make money doing.
You just kind of do it.
Speaker 3 (35:37):
I'll tell you what.
I'll tell you the closest thingI've had to a hobby lately and
I get to do it about twice ayear is floating in a pool at
the spa.
That's about it.
Speaker 2 (35:57):
Oh, that's very nice.
That's very nice.
Somebody I asked this questionof another guest and she was
like my hobby is making money.
I love that.
And I was like, okay, that'syou know what.
I will just say real talk.
It is very hard to have hobbies.
I've started to do like 3dpuzzles just to relax, um, but I
find most of the time it's hardto make.
I'm like I work all the timeand but I but I enjoy working
(36:19):
too.
Speaker 3 (36:19):
That's the other thing so that's it, you know you
know, like, where we are.
Speaker 2 (36:23):
We love what we do, um, but I, I love the idea of
floating in a pool at a spa.
That sounds, uh, that soundsdivine.
It's nice, amy, I has been.
It's been such a delight to bewith you today.
And I'm wondering if there'slike a final thought or word you
wanted to leave with ourlisteners today.
Speaker 3 (36:40):
I just want to say be yourself, because the people
that need you are looking foryou, so let them find you, girl.
Speaker 2 (36:48):
Let them find you, girl.
That is such a wonderful way toend our talk today, our
conversation.
Amy Jo, thanks so much forjoining us.
Speaker 3 (36:57):
Well, thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (37:00):
Thanks for listening to Ungovernable Women.
Our producer and editor isMegan King.
Our social media manager isDestiny Eicher.
Be sure to rate, review andsubscribe to our show on Apple
Podcasts, spotify or whereveryou listen to your pods.
Your ratings help otherlisteners find us.
You can follow and DM us onInstagram at ungovernablexwomen,
(37:22):
and TikTok atungovernablexwomen.
See you next time.
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