Mom Crush Monday! Amanda Munday, SheEO, supporting female entrepreneurs

Once upon a time I had an office job, in a typical office building, cubicles and all of that. I also had a “work husband.” Amanda was his fianceé at the time. Little did I know that over the years our relationship would blossom and my work husband would soon be forgotten. (Sorry Steve!) Regardless, Amanda and I have faced a number of challenging life/death/mom moments together and she is a really good friend.  She is the kind of person who will drop everything to help someone else, and rally the troops in times of trouble.  Amanda is awesome, and definitely crush worthy. And these meatballs she speaks of? TOTALLY life changing. 

Name: Amanda Munday
Kids Names: Fiona
Company Name: SheEO

What is the story behind SheEO?

I am the SheOO for SheEO Inc. Our Radical Generosity Initiative calls for 1000 women across Canada to commit $1,000 each to dramatically transform how we support, finance and celebrate women-led ventures who are building a better world. Female entrepreneurs have been chronically under financed, under-supported and under-celebrated. Only 4% of venture capital goes to female entrepreneurs. These statistics have been the same for decades. It’s time for a new approach.

How did the idea for sheEO come about? How did you get involved?

If women were financed to the same degree as their male counterparts we’d create 6 million jobs in North America in the next 5 years. This is a huge economic opportunity for women, for investors and for Canada. Personally, I’ve been committed to helping women succeed for my entire career. Where technology, marketing and digital media cause some people stress and anxiety, I see the infrastructure opportunities that can save time and energize your work.

What motivates you?

Here’s the thing – when you see the hard work you put into a new organization turn into woman being positively impacted,  it sparks more adrenaline to keep going.  Success begets success, and I’m all about energy for impact. Fiona is definitely a key motivation. Not only because she’s my first child but also because she’s a fierce woman who already has determination, humour and wit. By living my values out loud, I’m showing her and her generation of women that success can mean anything – and that changing the world is absolutely within reach.

What is the most challenging part about being a working mom?

Sleep and shutting down. A startup initiative has so many similarities to toddlerhood. Change is constant; organic growing pains ongoing; agility is vital; creative problem solving essential and a sense of humour is absolutely required. Finding peace within the spin of a startup and the energy of a toddler is a muscle I’m still developing.

What is your super power?

Beyond my life-changing Italian meatballs? I’d rest my hat on my ability to break down technical jargon into something exciting for busy entrepreneurs. I make order out of chaos and like to think of myself as a greatness architect.

What is something that you think people should know about you?

I wrote an article in 2006 about the power of Twitter to change the world (specifically news and communications); one that senior leadership within my organization wrote-off as naive and just a fad. I was right, right?! I stand by my natural gift for seeing the true power digital tools can have for each of us.

Who are your supporting cast of characters? 

My mother. Not only did she wrap up her own career in the name of supporting mine, she delights Fiona every day with new songs, lessons and walks to the park. Knowing my mother is guiding Fiona helps me to do my best work outside of our home.