Amanda Hamilton is a dog mom, an aunt, a country music lover, and a travel enthusiast who loves to spend time with friends and family. She is also the founder of Hamilton Raye “Your Outsourced AdminTM”, which brings professional virtual administrative support to startup organizations and small to medium-sized businesses. Prior to starting Hamilton Raye, she spent ten years working in the corporate retail industry in Columbus, Ohio. She had a very successful career in production and sourcing where she had the opportunity to learn best practices for staying organized, managing constant changes in priorities throughout the day and week, and finding process efficiencies to reduce workload. Amanda has always enjoyed learning new technology and tools, so this has been a natural progression into the ever-changing outsourced admin world, supporting her clients’ business growth at Hamilton Raye.
Loving the scope of her work and her team, but craving personal and professional growth, she longed to work remotely in order to live and work anywhere she pleased. Intrigued by the ‘digital nomads’ she would often read about, Amanda decided to take her fate into her own hands. Armed with the meaningful lessons she learned from incredible leaders during her corporate career, she soon identified an opportunity to forge her own path.
“There are countless mundane tasks an executive and business manage each day. We have proven to our clients that effective growth can be correlated with adding an outsourced adminTM to your team by freeing up your most valuable and irreplaceable asset: TIME.”
As Amanda started to connect with Founders, CEO’s, and small business owners, she saw a white space opportunity where these individuals were wearing multiple hats and looking for more time in their days and weeks. The most necessary piece of being a business owner is to maintain maximum efficiency and productivity, by keeping your schedule moving and remaining highly organized.
Hamilton Raye “Your Outsourced AdminTM”
Mission:
Our mission is to provide founders, CEOs, and small business owners with the reliable, professional, and trustworthy support needed to effectively grow their businesses.
Vision:
Our vision is to create accessibility for businesses of all sizes to experienced, reliable, and competent administrative associates.
Difference:
At Hamilton Raye, we are focused on providing our clients with experienced professionals that will seamlessly integrate into your business and provide you with reliable and high-end support.
Services Offered:
Every package is unique and customized to each client’s needs and preferences. Our focus is to learn about you and your business and seamlessly integrate our services to support your growth. We provide a wide range of skill sets based on the experiences of our team members. We are all seeking personal and professional growth. If there is a task or tool that requires additional learning, we are willing to take on that challenge to become proficient to make your day (or life whichever you prefer) easier.
- Calendar Management
- Inbox Curation
- Travel Planning
- Social Media Management
- Blog Creation
- Email Marketing
- Document Creation
- Personal Task Support
How does your approach to virtual assistant services differentiate you from others in this industry?
“Our Differentiating Factor” at Hamilton Raye is our focus on hiring experienced, professional individuals and providing our clients with seamless integration into their business. Our goal is to become an extension of our clients as we work on their behalf. We want to be considered as part of their team by providing 24/7 and year-round support.
When should a business owner consider utilizing outsourced support?
The most important part of outsourcing is knowing the services you would like to outsource and how. If uncertain, we recommend that business owners identify the daily and weekly tasks that take the most time, especially if the tasks do not fall within their area of expertise. It is always best to think about the work that does not suit your skillset in order to offload and free up more time to focus on what you do best. Thinking about the opportunity cost of keeping tasks in-house is a great way to look at it. Are you missing out on higher profit margins, greater productivity? That is when you should consider getting comfortable with delegation and trusting someone else to take on the work.
Can you provide an instance when you provided support for another woman-owned business?
Christina Lopes, founder of The Heart Alchemist, coaches on how to open your heart to heal, posts video content, and hosts retreats. Christina wanted to delegate many tasks that were overwhelming her due to her rapid business growth. We offered her strategic advice on business and social media management to move her business forward. She was relieved to have a trustworthy team that is capable of running the day-to-day business tasks. She was also grateful for the value we place on the little things and felt that it contributed to the success of the professional relationship.
How has outsourcing changed post-COVID?
COVID has brought much uncertainty to businesses and there will be a greater focus on running lean when it comes to payroll costs and long-term commitments. An outsourcing solution addresses both issues. Now that traditional businesses have identified how functional and effective remote work can be for their existing employees, they will likely be more open to adding remote outsourced admins to their team to help share the workload.
Many have believed that an Executive Admin requires an office setting, but, with our method, we have identified an affordable remote solution that is suited for a variety of businesses.
What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
I love that every day is different and I have the ability to work with clients in varying industries. The trust they place in myself and the members of my team makes us feel like a part of their extended family.
What has been the biggest obstacle you have faced so far as a business owner?
I “grew up” working in an office environment, as I like to call it. I always had other people holding me accountable and helping to maintain my energy throughout the day. While I love working remotely and having my own business, it comes with its own set of challenges. I focus on finding different ways to stay connected with my clients and team in order to not lose that “human connection” while working autonomously.
When working on your own, you have to find ways to remain motivated and accountable. I’ve found that syncing my priorities along with my clients on my calendar helps me get through the day effectively. Joining a co-working space was one of the best decisions I have made, this has allowed me to meet other remote workers, business owners, and maintain social interaction throughout the workweek.
As a busy woman, how do you practice self-care?
I believe self-care is the only way I manage to get through the week. My three main areas of focus are meditation, working out, and simply taking time for myself. I try to meditate twice a day; once in the morning and once in the evening. I use this practice to clear my mind before I start and end my day.
Throughout my entire career, I’ve always joked that I’m a better person when I work out. I aim to work out at least 30 minutes each day and about 5-6 days a week. It really helps me with focusing, clearing my head, and kick starting my energy for the day.
Sometimes I find myself feeling overwhelmed by the many tasks I have on my plate as a business owner while also trying to maintain my personal life and staying connected with friends and family. This is usually when I try to set time aside for myself, whether that is reading a book, getting a facial, or going shopping. This allows me to refocus my energy and priorities and stay committed to the things that matter most in life.
What are your current areas of focus?
We focus on two pillars of the business: providing executive administrative, marketing, and social media support. Our ideal customers are busy business owners, founders, and C-level executives that need to find more time in the day. We are happy to offer multiple types of professional services to their team while providing customized support, depending on the client’s individual needs. We wear a lot of hats so if there is a task you need support on just ask, we likely have someone on the team that can manage or we will learn at no cost to you.
If someone is interested in working with you, how can they learn more?
I would encourage them to take a look at our testimonials on our website at https://hamiltonraye.com/results/. If they’re still interested in learning more, they can schedule a 30-minute complimentary discovery call (http://hamiltonraye.com/get-started/) so we can learn more about you, your business, and your outsourcing needs. This information prepares our team to focus on matching the best-dedicated admin with each client, based on personality, skill set, and capacity.
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
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