Amber Duncan is a self-made entrepreneur who has turned her personal challenges into a driving force for change. From navigating her own financial hardships, including bankruptcy, she developed a passion for helping others break free from the crushing weight of debt. With a heart for reaching and resourcing people, she’s built multiple successful businesses, always with the goal of empowering others to become the best versions of themselves.
In 2008, Amber founded one of the largest organizations dedicated to helping people get out of debt, inspired by her own journey through financial adversity. She recognized a growing problem when the housing market crashed, and many found themselves trapped in credit card debt they couldn’t pay off. Amber’s innovative approach has helped thousands of individuals settle over $300 million in credit card debt, offering them not only financial relief but also a chance to regain control of their lives.
Beyond her financial ventures, Amber is passionate about creating a space for vulnerability and open conversations about money. She believes in breaking the shame and guilt often associated with debt, and her mission extends to educating and encouraging people to overcome these emotional barriers. Through her work and her podcast, “Life After Debt,” Amber continues to inspire others to find hope and freedom, proving that financial struggles don’t have to define your future.
What inspired you to create “Life After Debt,” and how did your own personal journey influence this initiative?
I personally had to walk through a bankruptcy in 2008, and the biggest eye-opener during that process was how I felt about myself. I was committed to helping others prevent ever having to file bankruptcy. Most people look at those with financial issues with judgment. However, our bankruptcy was a byproduct of the crashing mortgage industry, and both my husband and I were mortgage brokers at the time.
In 2008, you built one of the largest organizations helping people get out of debt. What were the key factors behind your success during that time?
I had the realization that most individuals were refinancing their homes and pulling equity out to pay for credit card debt. When the housing market crashed and lending guidelines changed, it left a gaping problem that needed a solution. I always say, “If you can solve a universal problem, you have a million-dollar business.” So I started negotiating debt, and it worked.
What challenges did you face when transitioning from your previous organization to launching your podcast “Life After Debt”?
“Life After Debt” has always resonated with me. I knew one day I just wanted to be a voice that fought for justice for individuals in hopeless positions. I didn’t know how it would be received, but I continue to be blown away by the individuals who book clarity calls with our team and later thank us for changing their lives. That brings me more happiness than any amount of money.
Debt often comes with a lot of shame and guilt. How do you approach breaking down these emotional barriers for your clients?
I believe shame and guilt are tools that keep individuals in bondage, preventing them from living out God’s plan for them. When you share your burden, it loses its power over you. Many feel isolated in their debt, thinking they’re alone, but I create a space with zero shame and guilt. Clients unload their burdens, and we give them the tools to find their way out for a lot less money. Immediately, you hear their sigh of relief.
What are some common misconceptions people have about managing debt, and how does your approach address them?
People are taught that their credit score is everything, but that’s not true. The lengths people go to preserve their credit while they can’t afford anything is insane. Big banks and credit card companies leverage the “credit score” mentality to trap people. I teach what really matters—debt-to-income ratio. My goal is to eliminate debt for half of what they owe in minimal time, then we can flip the script and start building wealth.
How do you structure your free one-on-one clarity calls to provide maximum value in a short amount of time?
Surprisingly, the clarity calls stay at 15 minutes. I create space for open and honest communication, and clients just dump everything they’re carrying. You often hear the release of emotions and gratitude. They’re just looking for us to say three words: “I can help.” That’s all they need to hear to feel the release, and it’s all uphill from there.
You’ve helped many people eliminate their debt and build wealth. What is the most rewarding part of this process for you?
A financial planner and his wife came to me with $140,000 in credit card debt. Their journey was heartbreaking, and I saw the strain it was putting on their marriage. Recently, they completed the program, and even their appearance had changed. The stress of debt is real. It weighs heavy on people, and I love giving them their lives back. Seeing someone cross that finish line is the best feeling.
How do you balance your entrepreneurial pursuits with being a mom and wife to five children?
I’ve always been a hustler, but I now recognize that being a wife and mom is a gift I want to cherish. I stepped away from many business ventures to focus on my podcast “Life After Debt,” allowing me to be present with my family and travel. I want my kids to see that you can do it all. You can be great at everything if that’s God’s plan for you.
What advice do you have for other women who are looking to launch a business while juggling family responsibilities?
I meet many women who feel they sacrificed being a business owner by being stay-at-home moms, but that’s not true. You can do both if you choose to. Being a mom is the hardest, most underpaid job, and I respect those who solely do that. The time will come when you have more time, and when it does, reach out for help with business brainstorming. I love seeing women break through and realize their potential.
Where do you see the future of “Life After Debt” and your podcast heading over the next few years?
We are growing, and with the country’s $35 trillion credit card debt, I have my work cut out for me. Money will always be around, so I’m in an industry that will never go out of style. My goal is to continue educating and inspiring others with the podcast while building tools for my audience. We’re adding to our team to keep up with clarity call volume, and I see that growth continuing.
As a mother of five, how do you manage to maintain balance between your family life and your entrepreneurial endeavors?
I love working out, and Peloton is my go-to. I also spend time with my family traveling. Balance is tough for female business owners, but setting boundaries and having the right team to execute your vision is key to maintaining it.
What life experiences have shaped your perspective on money and debt the most?
I’m not driven by money and didn’t grow up with much. I’ve always been driven by making a difference. I believe that if I can make a difference, the money will follow. To me, money is just a tool to live in freedom and help others. I know that to whom much is given, much is required—especially around money.
How do you encourage your own children to develop a healthy relationship with money?
I teach my kids to be givers. They’re entrepreneurial by nature, and one had built three businesses by age 16. I don’t use the word “budget” or have a scarcity mentality around money. I teach them that hard work means there’s no limit to what they can achieve.
What does a typical day look like for you when balancing both family and business responsibilities?
I get up around 6 am, spend time with God, and do Pilates. Then I head into the office and focus on content creation, putting out fires. By 2 pm, I’m home when my kids return from school, spending the evening with them, and I finish the day with a Peloton ride. I’m surprisingly simple.
What personal habits or routines help you stay grounded amidst the busyness of your life?
I always remember where I came from. I could lose everything tomorrow, but I know who I am and what I’m capable of. None of my success defines me. I want people to see me for who I am, not for what I do or how much I’ve made.
What role does your support system, including your spouse, play in helping you manage both family and business?
Ryan and I have been married for 20 years, and we’ve also been business partners, which can be tough. It’s hard to be married to your business partner, but we’re committed to our marriage, which has kept us together. He’s my best friend, and the way he loves and cares for our kids allows me the space to operate multiple businesses.
What lessons have you learned from motherhood that have translated into your approach to business and helping others?
Being responsible for other humans is huge. Like my kids, I pour into and mentor anyone who works for me so they leave better than when they came. I don’t want to keep an employee for life—I want them to grow and find an even better role. That’s how I parent too. I want my kids to outdo anything I’ve done in my lifetime.
Do you involve your family in your entrepreneurial ventures, and if so, in what ways?
Yes, it’s a family affair. Our son is a marketing genius, and two of our kids have built and own their own companies while still in school. We brainstorm together and help each other achieve our goals.
When you’re not focused on business, how do you unwind and take care of yourself?
I love being waited on at the best resorts and enjoy trips with my girlfriends to relax. Self-care is crucial to my success in every role I play.
What motivates you to keep helping others overcome their financial challenges, especially in moments when things feel overwhelming?
Seeing generational curses broken off families around finances fuels me. Helping families flip their financial script so their kids can go to college or they can give more to their church drives me. Teach someone to fish, and they’ll eat for a lifetime.
Connect With Amber
Instagram: instagram.com/amberdunc/
Facebook: facebook.com/thedebtdiva/
YouTube: youtube.com/@LifeAfterDebt
Quick Links: linktr.ee/amberdunc
Website: reducemydebts.com
![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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