From the boardroom of Australia’s biggest banks as a leading Financial Advisor to qualifying three times for the Ironman World Championships despite health issues, Amanda Thompson has never been afraid of a challenge.
As an Award-winning Financial Advisor and Founder of Endurance Financial, Amanda has, for the past 17 years, specialised in offering strategic financial guidance for individuals and businesses with complex matters requiring more than textbook advice.
As a dynamic keynote speaker Amanda is able to captivate audiences with her intelligent wit and real life stories. She is particularly driven to help men and women overcome the gender biases that stand in the way of personal achievement; lessons learned after thriving in typically male dominated environments.
Whether delivering financial advice or inspirational anecdotes, Amanda’s philosophy is to provide unique, accountable and comprehensive information that leads to successful outcomes. Her areas of expertise in business include investment strategy, wealth creation, self-managed superannuation, personal insurance and retirement strategies. Her areas of focus in life include resilience, determination and dedication to something bigger than self.
”I am a romantic. Not the fairytale type who believes a knight in shining an armour is going to come and whisk me to a perfect world. I am someone who believes that love will conquer all and good things will happen to good people. Over the years, my resolve has definitely been tested but as I always say, if it doesn’t challenge you it won’t change you. With change comes growth. This is how I have seen the last 20 years of my life (at least) – a journey of growth.
Throughout my life, I have experienced my fair share of challenges and lots of changes. From a brutal sexual assault at the age of 24, enjoying the rise to the top as one of the youngest leading Financial Planners within a major bank, becoming a single mum and business owner, to qualifying three times for the ironman world championships despite health issues, it has been a wild ride, to say the least.
It’s always been my mantra that if you get knocked to the ground, you have to get back up again. Through my personal stories and experiences, I hope to inspire others to find the power of resilience, determination, and dedication to something bigger than myself. Most of all, I hope to help others realise that love really does conquer all. Adversity is a given, but it is courage that is our choice.” Amanda Thompson
Can you give us an idea of who your clients are? How would you describe what you do?
“I create holistic blueprints for financial security that reflect the financial objectives and core values of my clients. My aim is to always deliver cutting edge advice in a way that resonates with my personal values of transparency, integrity and collaboration.”
At this young stage of my business (2.5 years), I am quite lucky that all of my clients have come from client referrals. When someone asks me who my ideal client is they are usually gauging how much money someone needs for me to take them on. It isn’t how I work. My ideal client is someone who is willing to pay a flat fee (not linked to the value of funds etc) for an ongoing relationship and individual advice. My greatest joy comes from seeing my clients achieve their financial goals and move with them onto the next one.
What is most challenging about what you do?
I always struggle with difficult conversations. Because I approach (every single) my clients as if they were family (that is I don’t give advice I wouldn’t to my nearest and dearest), I will always be emotionally attached to the clients I choose to take on. I feel their pain as well as share their joys. I recently had to discuss what a deceased client would have wanted for his two sons with his still-grieving wife. I had tears in my eyes as I did so (because I miss him greatly). Losing more clients as they get older (because my aim is to retain my clients for a lifetime (both theirs and mine)
What is a common misconception people have about what you do?
Still many people, businesses included believing that they do not have a need for a Financial Planner as “my accountant does that”. Many accountants can offer business planning and strategy (proactive) but most arrangements are tax only. In a perfect world, you would have all professionals working “together” on and for your business. I am lucky that I have a great relationship with many of my client’s accountants and the results of our strategy show it.
What was your background before you launched Endurance Financial?
I worked in Business Financial planning for two of Australia’s big banks for 10 years. Much of my *corporate life was spent as not only the (gender) minority but also the youngest.
I was provided with so many opportunities and learnings but I was exposed to a sales mentality that never sat right with me. Like parenting advice, I have carried the behaviours and strategies that resonate with me throughout my career and have dedicated myself to not having to plan in ways that I don’t agree with again.
What’s the best business advice you were ever given?
Not just business advice but advice for life. My direction in life was gifted to me by a blind man – my grandfather. A successful barrister, who also happened to be fully blind. The advice was a simple “Don’t be defined by how others see you”. He was a man who refused to be defined by his disability. In fact, he was a man who refused to be defined by anyone at all.⠀ So, Amanda Thompson and Endurance Financial are both unique – because they are “ME” and the only way to truly appreciate it is to come and see for yourself.
How do you balance work and life?
No such thing for me. I absolutely love my job (always have). There hasn’t been a single day since I first started being a Financial Planner that I have not wanted to go to work. So work is a part of my life. Add being a single parent to two girls and engaging in the (ever so time-consuming) sport of Ironman triathlon and the word “balance” can not even be defined. HaHa
Advice for other entrepreneurs who want to get started or are just starting out? At what point did you know you it was a right time to work for yourself?
When you know what you want, when you can FEEL it, you will know what to do. Define your own “Happily Ever After”. We all have that “go to, we just know the feeling”. Some will say they know it in their heart, for me it is a mix between butterflies and sharp pain in my tummy – I call it that gurgling feeling. And it is at that point that I “just know”. In the case of my business, it was (yet again) debating with my (you guessed it – male boss) on the strategy for a (terminally ill) client. I just knew that I was right and it was then that I believed in myself and my thoughts on servicing clients with specific and individual plans. I spent two days planning financially that I could make it work and deciding on what I was willing to go without to ensure that I could make ends meet for my two girls and me.
Busy startup entrepreneurs have lots of demands on their time and are often pulled in lots of different directions, do you have any tips for effective time management and what to focus on first?
I have always and still do, make a to-do list before I finish for the day. I go to bed knowing exactly what my day requires and wake up ready to go. The joy of physically crossing something off my list has not diminished over the last 20 years. Ensure that your to-do list has a mix of “too hard basket” tasks as well as the low hanging fruit (easily ticked off) otherwise your too hard basket will grow and stress you out.
Where do you get your inspiration from daily?
I truly believe that I am a role model to women (in my industry and other single mums in particular) including the two girls I am trying to bring up to be independent and true to themselves. In order to do this successfully, I need to be the very best version of myself I can.
How do you stay motivated?
In every aspect of my life, I am responsible for my achievements (or lack of). If you are looking for someone else or something to motivate you – you aren’t ready. I set myself goals. Both immediate and long term. Every time I reach the goal, I set a new one. In essence, I am quite competitive by nature but none more than with myself. I am always challenging myself to learn and grow.
Given that I am a “one-woman show” at the moment – I am a member of the Busines Club by Business Chicks which provides me with a regular avenue to ensure that I am accountable for my own actions. The women in this group are also my daily support and are all open with their time and care. It was a great investment I made and won’t let it go.
![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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