Meet Amanda Maggiore | Marketer and Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda Maggiore and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amanda, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Life is all about risks. Risks have shaped my life into what it is today. I feel risks begin at a young age. When you are scared to go monkey bar to monkey bar yet you know you want to finish. You risk your hands slipping or your arms failing just to get to the other side and have the satisfaction of knowing you overcame your fear. Risks allow us to see the braver side of ourselves that we never knew existed.

I risked a lot in the post-grad world. I was on track to graduate a semester early with two bachelor’s degrees, and it was a good thing I did because 2020 was a rough year to be in school. I made the leap of faith to pack my belongings and start a new life in Dallas after college. I was so scared that I was not going to make it on my own and that I would disappoint everyone around me. I knew that I had to trust my gut and start building something memorable. Right as I settled into Dallas, I began thinking of the business I always wanted to start. This business went very well and I was proud of all the work I was doing. In the midst of figuring out the unpredictable thing called life, I thought about how it would’ve been nice to have a guide or some sort of warning of what life is like after college.

This is how What College Didn’t Teach Me was born. I began typing away silly thoughts in my head because I needed a place to vent about all the rapid changes that had happened in my life in the matter of a few months. I had been through so much uncertainty and unfamiliar situations that I wanted to write it down so that maybe someone could learn from my experience.

As I kept writing, I just did it with the idea that maybe I would turn it into some sort of novel. In the back of my mind I did not believe myself. I did not believe that a 23 year old could really write, design, and publish a book on her own. I did not believe anyone would give a hoot about what I had to say. Why me i would say? Why would anyone care about my story? Everyone goes through ups and downs in life, why is mine worth sharing?

The self-doubt came and went for over a year. I would sit down and write when all the good thoughts came into my head. Bu there were a couple months at a time I would stare at the pages and draw a complete blank. How was I going to write about anything worth peoples’ time?

In August of 2021, I opened the document that had been reworked and edited a few times and decided, I am sick of staring at this thing. It is time to kick into high gear and really create something out of this. I have come too far and put too much time into this passion project for it not to be shared with the world.

Now let’s be real here, i had no idea what I was doing. I researched every aspect of publishing a book just so I could figure out how I could possibly pull this off. I used new programs and took time to be trained on them. I designed my book and hired a few people to help with graphics and editing. I developed a check list of what I needed to do in order to get this item to become a reality. I used every free resource I could find to help guide me along this process. I was determined to get these words printed on thick paper that I could hold in my hand.

I trusted the process and by slowly figuring it out, was able to self-publish my own book in December of 2022. The feeling of holding my story, my heart and soul, was unfathomable. I could not believe what I had made was sitting right in front of me.

I thought writing the book was going to be the scariest part, but I quickly realized it wasn’t. It was actually scarier to tell the world. The world would have access to my book at any time. How was I going to be brave enough to give people my story? I knew what I had created was going to help people and provide good advice, but I feared judgment, backlash, and negative comments.

If I continued down the path of fear, I would not be able to share my story today. What College Didn’t Teach Me is liked by many individuals so far and the list is growing. I am thankful that I took the risk of sharing my story so others could feel like they are somewhat prepared for the post-grad world.

If you do not take risks you will never grow. Risks change who become and they allow you to dig deeper than you ever had in order to accomplish what you want. You might fail because of a risk, but that is a lesson that you will take to heart and it is character building. If you want to do something, do it. What do you have to lose?

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am most proud of being able to actually finish a book. I never planned to write a book but somehow it just started to come about. I had experienced so much right after graduating college that I felt I needed to share with the world. There is no “guide” on how to navigate the real world once you are out of school. So my book talks about different aspects of life, my lessons and observations, and advice that I hope people enjoy! A big part of my book was that I kept it a secret from everyone in my life. No one knew I was doing it. I wanted to keep it a secret for a few reasons. First, if I didn’t finish it, I did not want to look like a failure. Also, I wanted it to be MY book without outside opinions and recommendations. My words and my experiences. Second, I believe in silent success and wanted to see the reaction of everyone in my life when I told them I wrote a book. I am thrilled to share my story with the world and help college students, and people in their young twenties navigate the craziness of life. There is no guide out there that teaches you about the world like mine. It is written to help people think about their next step and encourage them to do the things they want.

I wanted to shine light on everything that college doesn’t teach you. Personal health, personal finances, friendships, relationships, and so much more. The book is written as if you are speaking to an older sibling or a friend. It also has 19 interactive pages that you can make your own and truly reflect about the different chapters. I am excited to help people get settled in their post-grad world.

To get to where I am today has taken a lot of grit. I grinded hard for everything that I have today. Getting the book published was difficult because I had never done it before and had no guidance along the way. You learn to utilize every resource you can find so you make sure you get the process right. I did a lot of research in order to get the right pieces of the business in place. It has taken a lot of networking and figuring out the best course of action. There were so many days that I doubted myself and didn’t want to do it anymore, but I thought how amazing it would feel to hold the first copy of my book. Actually flipping through my pages, my story, and my passion project. The feeling of knowing I accomplished a huge thing at a young age kept me going. Since I have published the book, the support from my friends and family has kept me enthused and excited about it. It can get exhausting some days, but knowing how proud and excited they are keeps a smile on my face to keep selling it.

This has been a long road. The idea and first words of the book started in April of 2021. I did not get the book published until December of 2022. I am putting in a lot of time trying to get the book out there any way that I can to get eyes on it. Running your own business takes a lot of your time but when you love it and want it to be successful, you don’t even think about it. You crank out the work knowing that one day, it will all pay off. One day you will hit your goals and every second you have invested, got you to where you are today.

I want everyone to know that no matter where you are in life, seize every opportunity you can. What College Doesn’t Teach Me pushes people to go after their dreams and goals. It wants every reader to accomplish things they never thought they could. My self-help book allows each person to think about where they have been and where they want to go moving forward. I hope my book inspires minds to do what they want in life. Take advantage of the world we live in today and do what makes you happy. Life will always have ups and downs but it is how you get through times that makes you who you are today. Without every event that has happened in your life, you wouldn’t be where you are. Everything you have endured, shapes you into you. What College Didn’t Teach Me wants to inspire as many people as possible and truly help someone with at least one aspect of their life.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I LOVE Dallas. This city has so much to offer. When people come to visit I do numerous things like take them country dancing at Red River. I look for a concert at Hanks Bar & Grill, Silver Saloon, Southern Junction, or Billy Bobs so people can get exposure to Texas Country music. I enjoy bringing people to the Stockyards and enjoying a nice brunch at 97 West in Mule Alley while indulging in a drink later on at Second Rodeo. For sports fans, depending on the season, I take them to a Cowboys game, Rough Riders, or Rangers game to enjoy the spirit of Dallas. Texas LIVE has some incredible bars and food to enjoy after the game as well. The tour of AT&T Stadium is a great way to get a glimpse into the life of fans and players. For those that are looking for something more casual, the farmers market is a great place to go and in the spring, picking our own tulips at Texas Tulips. Rooftop yoga is held at HG Supply Co which is a great way to get out and get your friends active.

Food is abundant in Dallas and there are so many places to get a shoutout. Happiest Hour is one of the best spots to bring people for food with a view. Food Truck row in Klyde Warren Park is a great destination to try many different local eats. Some of the best gyros are there. Mexican food is a must when visiting Dallas. There are so many great Tex-Mex places to satisfy your taste. I also enjoy bringing people to Legacy West as there are so many great restaurants to choose from and often live music to enjoy. Tokyo Harbour serves up some of the freshest sushi for an outstanding price. Harbour Town in Rockwall provides a stunning atmosphere on the lake with great restaurants as well. I take people that are active to Chicken N Pickle for some friendly games and roasted chicken. This place is perfect for games, food and drinks. Allen, TX has some of the best chinese food at Tian An Wok for a fast and casual eat. I enjoy walking around the Star and eating at Mi Cocina or The Common Table. Buccees is a must-visit because this is the largest gas station in the world. They provide incredible food and a very unique atmosphere. Nightlife in Lower Greenville and Uptown is unmatched and provides every environment from clubs to casual bars, to speakeasies. There are great places to get a drink and enjoy the night.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give my shoutout to my closest friends and family. I have had tremendous support my entire life and they have pushed me to always do what I want. I would never have been able to even begin to dream big without them constantly supporting and loving me. I am eternally grateful for all the opportunities I have been given in life that have gotten me to where I am today. The support and encouragement from others keep me going each day. Thank you to every one of you. Thank you for believing in me even when I did not believe in myself.

Website: https://www.whatcollegedidntteachme.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatcollegedidntteachme

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-maggiore-b99243140/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatcollegedidntteachme

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd_lLRs6NXGWBkXsfgamYBg

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whatcollegedidntteachme

Image Credits
Amanda Maggiore