Here’s everything I’ve been obsessed with as we pack for the 16-day trip.

We’re heading to Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Avignon, Saint Raphäel, Nice.

The weather is going to fluctuate between rainy / cloudy / grey to hot / salt / sunny.

I need to be prepared for all weather conditions–both with attire and beauty products.

Here’s my obsessions for the trip:

MINI TRAVEL PRODUCTS: Hear me out–I used to be anti-mini’s because I thought they were a waste of money. The older I’ve gotten the more I understand how beneficial it is to travel with small versions of the products you use constantly. It’s lighter in your bag, you’re not lugging so much product with you all the time, and it’s more efficent to travel around with without sacrificing beauty while you’re traveling. I went to both Ulta and Sephora to stock up on these mini’s and I’ll explain why I decided to go with these products. Here’s the entire shelf here.

• Detox Shampoo: I have been needing this for a while now and I don’t know why but it took me forever to get this for myself. But, my hair is fine and thin and very quickly it can feel like product is building up plus with different shampoos and water pressures / water while traveling I needed to make sure my hair felt fresh.

• Fine Hair Shampoo: I needed something that I could rely on when we were traveling just in case I didn’t like the shampoo options. This is just a backup–I don’t really intend on needed it but just in case.

• Body Butter, Oil, Scrub: There is nothing better than a good exfoliation, oil and moisturize. Especially because my skin gets dry if I don’t keep it moisturized. And, if you’re traveling to the ocean and having your feet out and about it’s best to keep those babies clean and moisturized as well. I am sure I will use all the product in these before my trip is done.

• Mini Deodorants: I just love the colors and scents of these plus I can throw these in my bags if I am out and about all day and need a little refresh. One for the airplane, one for my toiletry bag, and the other one for the beach day bag. I might be carrying around these all the time when I get home because they’re so convenient.

• Vitamin Enriched Face Base: Back when I was a BB makeup artist, I loved this moisturizer. I will be wearing it at night and on the plane when my skin is very dehydrated and I will wake up feeling and looking very moisturized. It’s the best kept secret to looking and feeling fresh–hydration.

• Leave-in Conditioner: This is a non-negotiable when it comes to travel. I just can’t trust the conditioner options at the hotel and I notice my hair is significantly prettier when I use this product.

• Dry Shampoo: I love that I can just keep this in my bag (next to my deodorant) and just do a little hair refresh throughout the day when I am traveling around and not at the hotel room. As mentioned, my hair is very fine and thin and can get oily quickly so this will help keep things at bay and add a bit of texture as well. Plus, the smell is lovely.

• Prequel Mini’s: I bought these via the Prequel site as my entire skincare routine is Prequel and I absolutely love having these while I travel. I’ll be keeping these with me during the flight and on my entire morning/evening routines.

AUTUMN INVESTMENTS: As mentioned, I am heading to Amsterdam and Brussels and it’s going to be chillier than it currently is here in Dallas, Texas (100˚ as I am typing this) AND before we moved into our new casa 30 days ago, I donated all my sweaters with the intention of buying new one’s this year. Here are the autumn investments I am making this season. And, in true fashion, I am only investing in a couple of new items as that’s really all I need right now.

• Oversized Trench Coat: Storm Grey–not the classic brown. And, intentionally because I actually think the classic brown trench coats are giving a little bit too much “pick me” energy. I can’t explain it. I like that this one is understated.

• Oversized Wool Sweater: This has been around for seasons and I truly just wish I could buy one in every color, but I am investing in the grey this time. I think it’s the perfect mix to go with blacks, browns, whites. The next one I’d buy is the Navy and or the Chanterelle as I think they’d go with so many pieces in my wardrobe as well.

• Espresso Bags: I absolutely love this color right now. Plus, I love espresso in general so it makes me think of coffee. But, okay, back to handbags. I just think that espresso mini handbags and totes make for the best colors. I also love a sprinkle of oat, pink, green, and other fun colors to mix things up.

• Mexico 66: I am not a sneaker girlie. I’m more of a put together kinda gal so I tend to go for my Gucci Slides or a pair of sling back heels. But, I know I need some sneakers for our trip to Europe so I’m going back to the basics. I just really don’t think Adidas shoes are very sexy for women especially because my boyfriend wears them and I don’t want to match him or feel masculine more than my style already goes for as I tend to have a pretty basic unisex type of style with a flair of femininity when I go out.

• Slingback Heels: Speaking of heels, I can’t help myself when I find a good pair of them. Here’s my most recent obsession that I must invest in for the Fall season. I think I will wear them ALL the time both day and night. I don’t care that they’re white and it’s going to be after Labor Day. I think they’d look fantastic with the trench coat mentioned above.

VERY ROSY CHEEKS: I used to have rosacea, which I now understand was a reaction on my skin of eating foods that caused inflammation in my body. Now that I have a clean diet (and lifestyle), I don’t have redness on my face. So, I can wear blush for what feels like the first time ever! I recently discovered this blush and it’s absolutely fantastic. The perfect blush that has pigment, blendable, and has a matte finish so you can pair it with a gloss like this one. More the merrier with this one and it’s a great color to take us into the Fall and Winter seasons too. I applied it with this brush that I use for bronzer.

This was such a fun one for me this week.

My love of beauty, curation, and sharing the things I’m obsessed with all into one.

Thanks for being here & hope this helps you on your quest to finding products that align with your personal style, essence and taste!

x Amanda

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Amanda Chase is the Founder & Creative Business Strategist of Substance, a platform building holistic business ecosystems for conscious founders and brands—helping them reflect their essence, evolve with alignment, and create global impact.

I am having so much fun.

I’ve been a Creative Entrepreneur for the past 10+ years.

And, I can officially say, I am actually having a really great time.

I always say I am a late bloomer.

It takes me a long time to digest and integrate things.

It’s also taken a long time to really get to know myself.

The reason why I am having so much fun now within my business is because of a few key components that I often bring in to my sessions and partnerships with clients.

✺ REASON #1: I AM BUILDING THE BUSINESS OF MY DREAMS. Sure, it’s still a work in progress, but I am doing it everyday. And, for that I am incredibly grateful.

This past year when I had to take a side job, I really understood the impact of not taking my business seriously. And, even worse–not being willing to show up to market my services and offerings and as a result having to work another job that is not as aligned with my purpose and mission in life.

So, I am incredibly grateful (and even more humbled) from that experience and what I learned from that is the following: at the end of the day, I am running a BUSINESS.

And, while I am building a business I need to have a clear mission, vision, and value proposition statement to guide the decisions within my brand, a clear understanding of who and how I am helping them solve a problem, and offerings/products/services that align with my zone of genius and valued in a way that takes the personal side away from business and really reflects the VALUE and general overhead and profit margins necessary to run a financially healthy business.

I’ve been so stuck in the past with enmeshing myself and my value with my work and in actuality they are two different things.

✺ REASON #2: I AM LEANING INTO MY NATURAL GIFTS. I’ve been studying and learning about Astrology and Human Design for years now. And, I’ve finally gotten to the point where I am really LEANING into my natural gifts to help guide who I am and how I operate in the business.

For example, I have a South Node in Virgo and a North Node in Pisces so I am learning the art of planning and structuring projects and creations and also allowing for spirit, source, and intuition to be involved. I am learning that I don’t have to have it all figured out to start.

I am also a 5/1 profile in Human Design, which means I become an expert through research. The shadow aspect of this profile is that if I am not clear on who, what, why, and how I support–there can be a major backlash of projection from others put on me and then I am quite literally demonized. I’ve seen it happen time and time again in previous client and friendship relationship dynamics and the more I am able to own and say what I do and don’t do honestly and authentically–the less this happens.

✺ REASON #3: I TRUST MYSELF. Throughout the past couple of years, I’ve had quite a deep dive with navigating Saturnian lessons. I finished moving through and completing my Third Saturn Square this year and it was yet again–a powerful initiation.

And, after the past solar eclipse in pisces last week, I feel it all INTEGRATED into my soul. And, as a result, I spoke a need to a client re: overage hours. I asked a stranger to kindly leave me alone while I ate dinner at a restaurant by myself. And, I am paying all my bills on time and budgeting my bank account.

There’s such beauty in taking care of the LIFE things that really make a huge difference. I am putting in the work, speaking up for myself, doing what I need for myself across health, life, relationships, etc and things have never been as aligned. This whole time, I had been afraid to speak my truth when in actually, the fear was already living out by not speaking my truth at all.

Now, I trust myself to do what I need for myself.

I could keep going on but those felt like the best ones for now.

There’s a lot more under the surface that will be revealed with time.

But, I just want to inspire that if you dream of having fun building your dream business–it’s absolutely possible.

It may take time.

It may be a journey to get there.

But, it’s possible.

I’ve seen it as I’ve built my client’s dream businesses (this one really popped off last time I shared it) and now I am creating as I build mine and you can do it too.

Share your questions in the comments.

I’m here to help.

x Amanda

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Amanda Chase is the Founder & Creative Business Strategist of Substance, a platform creating holistic business ecosystems for conscious founders and brands to help them express their essence, evolve with alignment, and create global impact.

As someone who is self-prescribed as being incredibly picky and perpetually underwhelmed–I figured it’s super helpful to share the things that are hidden in my phone each week.

This week I was in Los Angeles for a work-trip with my client. Over the span of three-days we worked at Soho Malibu, Topanga Canyon, and Soho West Hollywood. Each location provided the magic and support from the landscape–something I am a firm believer in as I have become more sensitive to feeling the energics of a space.

P.S. Wondering what we did there? This client is one of my Partnership clients, and we’re working together for at least the next year to build the next stage of her brand. As VP, Creative Operations, we spent the three days doing a deep dive into WHAT we’re building, HOW we’re building it, WHY we’re building it, and for WHO we’re building it for plus creating the action plan to take us from vision to execution. Sound like something you need? Check out my Partnerships page to learn more about how I help wellness founders and conscious brands grow and scale their businesses.

Here are the obsessions of the week:

WELLNESS TRAVEL ESSENTIALS: If there’s anything to know about me, it’s that I take my wellness and self-care routines very seriously. Ever since holistically healing from Adenomyosis a couple of years ago, I now have my non-negotiable travel essentails to make sure I stay healthy and well on my trips. Here’s my essentials and the reasoning behind them.

PSA: if you know anyone suffering from Adenomyosis, please share them this free resource that has everything I did to heal holistically. I made this because I wish I had it when I was diagnosed three years ago and was told that what I had would never go away and that I would need a hysterectomy.

→ This sleep supplement–because deep, restful sleep has been such a pivotal component to my healing and helping me with a huge amount of natural energy. I’ve mentioned this sleep supplement before as it’s truly life changing as someone who identifies as a light sleeper especially when I am traveling.

→ This sleepy tea is something that I purchased on this trip actually, as I was really craving my nightly cup of tea* before bed. It’s a ritual I started two years ago and it really is something I come to require now in my life. It feels both feminine, nourishing, and incredibly decadent. A little tip for those traveling and wanting to make tea, I actually used my Bink water bottle to steep the tea into as the tea cups they had were way too small so it was a way I could have 12 oz of tea before bed.

→ Never underestimate the power of good, glass bottled water. I’ve become what I would call a bit of a water-snob. I really prefer to drink water from glass containers or bottles I’m becoming more mindful of microplastics. I filled up my bag with lots of Erewhon Spring Waters from the pristine waters of Shasta Springs, because I truly think they are the best quality (preserved with natural minerals) for the price that you can’t find anywhere else and that to me, is one of LA’s main attractions. IYKYK. I did have a chance to check out LA’s newest health food grocery store, Laurel Supply and I was very tempted to try the trending Loonen Water. But, for $2 more than Erewhon–I wasn’t interested.

→ If I wake up early for my flights, I notice my digestion is incredibly off. And, that hapepned again this time when I had to wake up at 4AM to get ready for the aiport from DFW to LAX. And, I forgot my Seed probiotics so I knew I’d have to get some digestion support at Erewehon when I got to LA. While I was there, I decided to try two new supplements that I’ve heard great things about and figured I’d give them a try. They work very well–these gummies really did soothe my stomach in a matter of minutes and the these triphala-packed pills did help to keep things regular. Digestion is a huge component of my cleansing and detoxifying protocol and I swear this is what truly helped balance my hormones as I’ve always had issues in the past with a well-working system.

GOOD QUALITY MATCHA: Another thing I’ve become quite a snob with is matcha latte’s, especially when I am traveling. Here are my go-to places that I trust with my $10 matcha latte. I will refuse to go anywhere else.

→ COMMUNITY GOODS: I am telling you now–the line in insanely long and it’s incredibly packed inside. If you order a hot drink like myself, add an extra 5-10 minutes to the wait because everyone and their mother is drinking the iced latte’s a that can be make in about 1 minute. If you order the hot drinks–it takes absolutely forever to get your drink. I’ve warned you. But, the matcha is delicious. The matcha they use is this matcha brand–which I did just order the discovery pack so I will be making them at home very soon. The matcha was delish but due to the incredibly small cup for an $8 matcha, the long line, people constantly running into one another, and a massive influx of Gen Z dressed like Y2K I am actually giving it a 7.5/10.

→ VERVE: This one is IMO an underrated coffee shop in LA. There are several reasons why I love going here. One, I’ve been going since I first moved there in 2017. So, it’s very nostalgic for me. Two, the mug sizes for a latte “for here” are substantial. It makes the $9 latte that much more worth it compared to a cafe like Cafe Telegrama where the latte is honestly slightly larger than ordering a cortado. It’s creamy, rich, and lasts long enough that you can actually do some work and drink the drink. Plus, the location on 3rd street has adequate parking (which is a huge plus in LA). While the Verve on Melrose has a lovely outdoor area. Highly recommend if you need to work and get a solid matcha latte. 9/10-only note is that the branding could be better.

→ MARU: This is the creme de le creme of matcha spots in LA. It’s no secret and for good reason. I didn’t make it this time on my trip because I was staying in the Beverly Fairfax area and a drink to either Los Feliz or Downtown to make it to either one of these locations would have been a wild choice. The matcha they use is this allegedly this one–and it’s solid, absolutely delicious. (I actually ordered this way back in the day before the matcha-blow-up when the green tea fields were running on low supply in Japan but now the bag of tea is $120 as opposed to the $80 before.) The line is just as long as Community Goods but Maru especially in Los Feliz has a more neighborhood-y feel to it and it feels like NYC in the sense that everyone knows one another and their dogs. There are lots of dogs at this location. Parking is a nightmare. I try to make it there as soon as they open to avoid the long lines and just overall sense of busyness. 9/10–knocking off a few points for the line but the matcha is solid and you get a bigger cup than Comunity Goods.

KEEPING STYLE SIMPLE: I didn’t want to make things too complicated with this trip. I kept things very simple and easy to mix and match pieces together. I wore my cou cou pajama set each night. I packed a couple pairs of jeans: white, light blue, dark blue. A couple solid color tanks: black, white, and striped. A couple shoes depending on my mood: white flats, jelly thong kitten heels, and these black mules. Made getting ready the least difficult thing to do on a trip that required two trips from West Hollywood to the West Side (with over an hour drive) including Malibu and Topanga.

That’s really it for the week. As always, thanks for being here!

If you’d like support with your business, helping you turn your visions into reality–I am here to help you. Check out my site here and either book a 1:1 session or inquire re: Partnerships!

x

Amanda

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Amanda Chase is the Founder & Creative Business Strategist of Substance, a platform building holistic business ecosystems for conscious founders and brands—helping them reflect their essence, evolve with alignment, and create global impact.

That’s how I’ve felt during this eclipse season.

It’s created a tornado of emotions and experiences that have simplify everything.

The long-winded proposal. The detailed agenda. The complex birthday celebration.

All landed with a sense of simplicity that only comes from asking deeper questions such as:

What is most important?
What is most manageable?
What feels the most do-able?
What feels the most potent?
What feels the most simple?

The eclipse energy has felt like I’ve been in the middle of a swirl.

The thoughts, feelings, emotions have been all over the place.

And, when I take the time to sit in the middle and see them swirling-I find clarity.

The eye of the storm.

Going to where it feels the most juicy and rich.

That’s the simplicity I’m talking about.

Getting right to the core of it.

It’s a refined feeling.

It’s a distilled feeling.

It’s everything is considered yet only keeping the most important parts.

That’s shown up in revised proposals, revised three-day working session, and a birthday celebration that was simple yet the most meaningful.

It was my partner’s birthday on August 19th.

He’s not one to like to celebrate birthdays so I listen to him and his desires.

I thought of him and what would mean a lot to him–it’s nothing loud, over-the-top and instead he appreciates quality over quantity.

This surprise for him–the silver banner, clear balloons, one nice gift, a sushi dinner.

He said that it was the sweetest, most meaningful thing anyone has ever done for him.

That’s the beauty of simplicity.

Refining until you’ve found the core; the gem; the intention.

I’m in the era of simple honesty and truth.

To be honest, it’s a bit unchartered territory for me.

But, I am loving being here already.

x Amanda

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Amanda Chase is the Founder & Creative Business Strategist of Substance, a platform building holistic business ecosystems for conscious founders and brands—helping them reflect their essence, evolve with alignment, and create global impact.

I said out loud the other week that I need to hire a coach. I want to be a better entrepreneur.

Even after 10 years, I realize that I still need help. Because, as we grow–we are constantly evolving and pushing ourselves to the next level.

I want to achieve things I’ve never done before so I need to do things I’ve never done.

I’ve made some serious progress with creating a more aligned business model.

And, I am on trajectory to reach my goals this year.

And, I still want to make sure I am making the most out of my time life.

A week later, our health insurance informed me that I have 6 complimentary life coaching sessions.

I signed up immediately. I thought to myself–I’ve worked with lots of coaches but never a life coach. So, let’s give it a whirl.

I didn’t really know how to prepare ahead of time so I just went in with my intuition and shared what I personally wanted to achieve in the container.

I told her my background and why it’s important for me now to invest in life coaching. When I told her I’ve never done life coaching before she shared something really insightful–she said in therapy they focus on the past and in life coaching they focus on the future.

That’s exactly what I am needing right now with a coach.

I told her that I am incredibly grateful to be in a position to run my own business and have the opportunity to grow and scale my business and I want to do everything I can to build the business of my dreams. And, not just the business of my dreams but the life of my dreams.

My Goals:

• I want to intentionally grow and scale my business → move away from focusing 100% of my time to my client work and start prioritizing working on my business; this looks like time to focus on marketing, client acquisition, content creation, product development, etc.

• I want to work on creatively fulfilling projects → prioritize creating and writing and developing my own fun and creatively fulfilling projects as opposed to always creating for my clients.

• I want to prioritize my personal-development → the more I am able to create a holistically full and expansive life; the happier I am. This means making time for the things that matter to me such as family, friendships, workouts, hobbies, creativity, travel, etc.

And, since we are meeting every two weeks, here’s my action items during this time:

• Block Monday, Wednesday, Friday as "Substance days" for biz development → Goal: I want to intentionally grow and scale my business.

• Schedule time blocks throughout the week to work on working on personal and professional projects based on goals. → Goal: I want to work on creatively fulfilling projects.

• Book fitness classes on ClassPass and Go to bed at 10PM and wake up at 6AM to be at my desk at 9AM. → Goal: want to prioritize my personal-development.

So, that’s what I’m holding myself accountable to for the next two weeks.

Oh, and the progress? Here’s where I stand so far with my habits. It’s not perfect but I strive for it everyday. And, I trust that with time–these will become second nature. Major shoutout to Kelsey, Founder of Coming Up Roses for building my new favorite Life + Work Dashboard Template on Notion!

And, I’ll just end with one final note–that I can sit here and think to myself that all these micro-changes barely make a difference or are insignificant or I can understand that these are the essential key elements that are necessary to creating a life that not only LOOKS good on the outside but FEELS good on the inside.

And, that’s the real difference here. I am creating a life of Substance.

Sometimes it calls for fast and intuitive decisions and others it calls for ordinary and foundational decisions.

Through it all, I’m learning to trust myself even more so. I’m learning where I need to grow, where I need to push, where I need to nurture, where I need to tend to.

In this new chapter of creating Substance, I am acting more in alignment with a woman who is very mature. I have been through the most challenging times of my life which have helped me get there–more on that for another day. But, I do feel I am more mature, more accountable, more honest, more vulnerable. It’s not perfect but it’s better than what it’s been before.

And, if at the end of the day, I can share my journey of consciously creating the life and business of my dreams to inspire you to do the same–I’ve accomplished my goal and mission in life.

—

If you are feeling similarly to wanting or needing a coach in your life–I just want you to know that I am here to support you in helping you create your dream business and life as well. My zone of genius is being able to see the vision for what you want to build and help you build it. It’s what I’ve done with TBM and hundreds of others helping them create industry-defining products, evergreen courses, membership models, content creation systems, team hiring, project mangement, and so much more.

I have a handful of offerings for conscious female entrepreneurs.

Substance Sessions: high-level strategic sessions to help you solve a problem
Holistic Business Ecosystems: 8-session business planning for growing entrepreneurs
Partnerships: 1-year partnership as CBO helping you build the dream business and products

I’ll continue to write here and share my insight on conscious creation–both personally and professionally.

Thank you for being here. Your time, energy, and attention mean the world to me and I hope this helped you.

x Amanda

—

Amanda Chase is the Founder & Creative Business Strategist of Substance, a platform building holistic business ecosystems for conscious founders and brands—helping them reflect their essence, evolve with alignment, and create global impact.

This is a free resource that I hope is shared with the millions of women across the world who are navigating this disease to not only spread awareness that you can 100% heal this holistically and you can become the most healthiest version of self, even before the diagnosis.

I am living proof that the version of yourself that feels energized, balanced, glowing, radiant, and aligned is on the other side of what you are feeling right now.

Here is everything I did from a physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual perspective to heal adenomyosis holistically. I broke this into steps and stages because healing is not linear and there are certain things that you have to start with in order to make the other things more impactful.

*Some things to know about myself to understand my process: as a creative business strategist for holistic wellness brands I’ve learned that we can always find a root cause to things, I was diagnosed with C-PTSD back in March 2023 right before my diagnosis, I was unofficially diagnosed by my OBGYN in May 2023 after experiencing an ovarian cyst rupture, I was living in Los Angeles with lots of holistic practitioners but now I live in Dallas, Texas and I still keep up my lifestyle.

STEP 1: MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST

The first thing I did when I was first diagnosed with Adenomyosis was schedule bi-weekly sessions with a trusted therapist. I did this because my mental health was so unwell that I was having a “perfectly fine day” and all of a sudden out of no where, I would be driving and break down in hysterical crying.

It was not the type of crying that was lethargic. It was a sign that I was experiencing deep depression. Everything on the surface was fine–I had just had a nice coffee with a friend–why was I balling crying on my way home?! This was when I realized I was depressed.

My depression was impacting my ability to focus, to work, to do anything (in addition to the chronic pain I was feeling from the Adenomyosis) so I knew I needed mental support. As mentioned above, I had recently been diagnosed with C-PTSD so I was very aware of the fact that my mental state needed support.

This may not be for everyone but if you are feeling your mental health is shakey and unstable, please advocate for yourself and find someone who you can talk to through this because it is very important you can find a healthy outlet for your mental health. I thought this was unnecessary at first, but it truly was everything I needed to start clearing out my emotions.

STEP 2: CLEANSING & DETOXIFYING PROTOCOL

I was in an Akashic Records reading with , Founder of Gentle Being when the guidance came in to work with , Functional Detox Specialist. We had an initial consultation and I ended up signing up for her 3-month program starting August 1, 2023.

I was given an entirely new food and lifestyle protocol than what I had been living before and after 7-10 days of implementing this new protocol, I started to experience the detox symptoms and I actually ended up getting sick as I was clearing out the toxins in my body.

The protocol looked a little something like this (simplifying to what I did):

• MORNING: water, fruit bowl with mint, matcha with almond milk

• LUNCH: big fresh salad with protein or veggies

• DINNER: large plate of protein and veggies

• BEDTIME: sleepy tea

• REMOVED: coffee before food, carbs, processed foods, alcohol, and sweets

By the end of the first month of eating whole foods, my cycle was back up to 28 days. And, by the end of the three-month protocol, I was at a 28-day cycle symptom free. But, with everything, it would be a long, windy journey of really allowing my body to heal and that took time because I still had cysts and fibroids that were needing to be healed as well. Which, took time and a lot of consistency.

STEP 3: GRAVITY COLONICS

I owe a lot of my healing to regular colonics. I started getting colonics a month or two into the protocol–once I was starting to have regular bowel movements.

The colonics helped to remove the excess toxins in my body. And, I honestly had so much inflammation and toxicity build up that would have never gone away without the protocol and new lifestyle changes.

I was getting bi-weekly colonics ($160/session in LA and then $125/session in Dallas) for two years straight. I have reached a point where I am going to get them every quarter now or on an on-needed basis but I feel really good now and I am happy to say that I don’t need them as I needed them before.

STEP 4: SLEEP

Even before the diagnosis, I never slept well. That’s for another post.

And, this was one of those things that I really focused on improving as I started to realize how healing it is for my hormones to improve the quality of my sleep.

My Oura sleep score is a consistent 85-95 and it’s because I do these things:

• 9-HOURS: I start winding down around 9-9:30PM to get my full 8-9 hours of sleep at night. When I was first healing, I would need 9 minimum. Now, I can do 8-hours of sleep and feel incredible.

• TEA: I love drinking a cup of tea before bed. I don’t really know if the “sleepy tea” works at all but it’s more important that it’s an organic and herbal tea at night. I bought two boxes of this and I really do like the taste–but I will say, I don’t have bloating so I don’t notice a difference but the taste is nice and soothing.

• SUPPLEMENT: I swear by this sleep supplement suggested by Meghan Swidler. I take it almost every night and I really do sleep so DEEPLY with taking this.

• SOUND MACHINE: My boyfriend has completely turned me into a sleep-snob and I have to have this sound machine on every night. I swear it turns off my brain and I sleep so deep.

• PAJAMA SETS: I was telling my boyfriend the other day that a sure sign that I care about myself is investing in sleep sets. It may sound really basic to many people but I never grew up with matching pajama sets and instead, I didn’t really have pajamas. So, it’s so important to me that I have dedicated pajama sets. Here’s all of my favorites–one’s that are comfy, ideally made with organic material, and soft.

STEP 5: WORKOUTS

I stopped going to pilates 3x a week and instead started listening to my body. I stopped working out during my luteal phase. I started listening to my body.

And, as a result, I worked out less. I always walk about 5-8k steps a day because I walk my dog both morning and night.

I lost some muscle mass but I also lost the puffiness, lactic acid build up, and the overall feeling of soreness and inflammation from working out too much.

After I while, I was able to go back to doing exercise classes 1-2x week and making sure I am doing an exercise that fits and aligns with my phase in the cycle. I’ve learned how to listen to my body and what it wants and needs instead of pressuring myself to do pilates 3x/week.

Here’s all my walking essentials if you’re interested in my favorite activewear.

STEP 6: KABBALAH, SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE, & PETER CRONE

Eventually, my path to healing my adenomyosis lead to a more spiritual alignment.

I started learning more and signing up for Kabbalah teachings and courses. I listened to these courses for years, implementing as much as possible. It was in this phase, I started to learn the power of prayer.

I started to pray and started craving a more spiritual connection. After the Kabbalah phase, I signed up for ’s Uncover Mentorship to deepen my spiritual connection with source and creator. And, start co-creating with God / Source / Creator.

It was here where I started to have dialog and communication with my higher self and my angel, guides, God. At this point, I started to feel complete with being able to live my life in alignment and co-create with God.

And, then came the Peter Crone Mastermind. This would be the final straw that blew up the old life and resulted in the life I am living now. Everything that was no longer aligned with who I am in my soul essence died and what rose what my authentic, embodied essence that is what I am living now.

MY LIFE NOW: LOVING MYSELF & MY LIFE

The healing of Adenomyosis is the result of what three consistent years of dedication, commitment, and perseverance to loving myself fearlessly.

Before the diagnosis, I can honestly say that the way I was treating myself–through my actions, behaviors, food, relationships, lifestyle choices, etc was actually a direct result of my lack of love and care for myself.

Now, I am able to do all of these things because I love myself. And, when I love myself, I take care of myself. I do everything I need to be the healthiest, happiest, version of myself.

And, that’s what’s keeps me going. It’s now my lifestyle and routine but because I know that I deserve to treat myself this way.

I went to the OBGYN the other day and he said that I don’t have any symptoms of Adenomyosis and those cysts and fibroids I was telling you about earlier, those went away as well. I am 37-years old and the most healthiest I have ever been–with a goal to have a family in the next couple of years.

If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments. And, please SHARE with anyone in your life who needs guidance and support navigating Adenomyosis.

If you want to learn more about my Adenomyosis journey, please read here.

x Amanda

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Amanda Chase is the Founder & Creative Business Strategist of Substance, a platform building holistic business ecosystems for conscious founders and brands—helping them reflect their essence, evolve with alignment, and create global impact.

There is quite the theme happening here and it’s all revolving around coming back into my body. After months of hustling–working multiple jobs, being on my feet, working day-in and day-out, I have finally reached a new chapter.

The new chapter where I can slow down again and as a result, I have some things to do for myself such as USE MY CLASSPASS CREDITS, BOOK A HAIR APPT, BOOK THE WAXING APPT, BOOK MY FLIGHTS TO SEE MY FAMILY, BOOK A MASSAGE, BOOK THE FACIAL, TAKE A BATH, GO IN THE POOL.

You see, all those things we not important for many months. But, now that I have time and space again, those areas of my life have been craving for attention. They feel a bit indulgent to engage in as I’ve neglected these areas for months but really—they are investments in myself. And, in this era of my life, I am honoring and valuing myself and investing in myself for the future I desire. The future I am living right now.

Here’s the weeks obsessions.

NATURAL NAILS. It finally happened. My obsession with longer nails has come to an end. It happened spontaneously when one day I just decided that nails were overstimulating to me. Plus, they were constantly breaking and I was having to get them repaired all the time. And, it has been years since I took a break from gel or dip nails so I am au natural at the moment. And, they need some love–they’re a little frail and weak but it’s been nice to see the nail beds longer than they were before. I can’t say I love how they look right now, but I am glad with them off for right now. I think as they get healthier I will like the look and feel of them as I just have clear polish on them for now. Here’s my Pinterest saves for my most recent nail salon appt.

CLEAN HAIR. Obviously, we all love clean hair–right. But, what I am talking about here is my obsession with clarifying shampoo, removing product build up, thinning out my blunt lob, adding texture, layers, and shape to my hair. I recently purchased the Dyson Airwrap–an item on my manifestation list for quiet literally YEARS. I have no idea what took me so long to buy it and I’m still trying to figure out how to best style my hair using it but my looks are very inspired by Paige Lorenze and just clean girl, hair style. Anyone who is able to just tell me which products to buy from Abby Young method that are non-toxic versions, please let me know. It’s information overload and if I’m left to my own devices, I’ll just order the Roz Scalp Scrub or the Crown Affiar Scrub, because I trust those brands. I just need a simple clarifying shampoo to add to my rolodex of shampoos.

LOOKING FORWARD. I discovered this brand after a google image search from a Pinterest picture shared on someone’s IG stories. I loved the shape and color of the sunglasses and then I was able to find the exact pair of sunglasses. Now, I can’t get them out of my head. But, then I’m like–will I actually wear these? I’m not so much a trendy sunglass girlie–I still mainly wear my Illevesta from 2019. But, there back in stock and I had to share them incase you want some cool trend sunglasses that won’t break the bank, plus the branding is cool too. We’ll just have to pay those tarrifs. Here’s all my favorite styles in one spot. Big shoutout to stylist, Anna Baldwin, who posted these sunglasses on her IG stories that I became instantly obsessed with.

SUPPLEMENTS. I only use supplements when I feel called to using them. Let me just preface that first. I don’t take them when people tell me too, but when I feel called to them. It’s intuitive and I really can’t explain when or why I decide to use them versus when I feel like my time with them is finito. Most recently, I’ve been adding creatine to my matcha in the morning! It’s just enough to support mental clarity and cognitive function. I just ordered collagen as well that I’ll be adding in as well. We’ll see how that supports my intention to growing healthy nails and hair and overall skin health. I order all of my supplements through my trusted friend and functional medicine doctor, Dr. Juliana King, Founder of Breakthrough Healing, whom recommends products to me that I purchase through FullScript with brands that she trusts. And, most recently, I’ve seen the power of supplements when my dog started taking these probiotics to help clear his yeast infection that he’s had for months! So, when we need them, I deeply believe the help, but with everything, pay attention to when your body says it’s time to stop because we don’t always need to take them. Reminder to be discerning. Big thank you to my dear friend, Paula for the recommendation for the dog supplements!

Alright, I think that’s everything for now. Thanks so much for reading and I hope this is supportive to you as I am constantly on the hunt for the best of the best of quite literally everything-this week just happened to be a focus on beauty–inside and out.

x Amanda

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Amanda Chase is the Founder & Creative Business Strategist of Substance, a platform building holistic business ecosystems for conscious founders and brands—helping them reflect their essence, evolve with alignment, and create global impact.

My purpose in this lifetime is to value my creative work–although I don’t paint, I am able to discover and see a brands soul essence through creative explorations that use words and visuals.

It’s a gift I was given from a young age, and through the medium of images and language, I am able to make sense of and express something that has no shape, no definition, nothing.

It’s what I do with brands now. No, I am not a creative director–that is too limiting for my gifts. I use creative gifts through visual images and language and I’ve developed a whole system for me to truly discovery the brands essence.

My gifts have been developing my whole life and that’s why and how I can make a wicked moodboard. One that is something you’ve never seen. With elements that are completely custom to the brand and the founder.

With an essence that is unlike anything else, because as souls and essences, there are no two that are alike. It’s like a snowflake or a leaf. The cellular makeup is never the same because that is what it is to be alive.

Our souls and the souls of brands are the same way. That’s what I do at Substance.

I am honored to share my gifts with the world.

x Amanda

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Amanda Chase is the Founder & Creative Business Strategist of Substance, a platform building holistic business ecosystems for conscious founders and brands—helping them reflect their essence, evolve with alignment, and create global impact.

For the past 6-months, I’ve been an accumulation phase.

More work. More money. More clients. More hours. More travels.

And this month, it’s the opposite.

It’s as if that phase came to a direct end. The chapter was over.

And, just like that I am down to two intentional clients and we are moving.

Quality over quantity is the phase now.

And, I couldn’t be happier.

We are moving to a smaller home here in Dallas with two less rooms.

In a more lively part of town. Closer to coffee shops. Our favorite workout studios.

Everything about it makes me feel like I can breathe more steadily.

I haven’t noticed it–but the house we moved into when we first got to Dallas was a lot of house for us.

And, it’s taken a toll on my limited Manifestor energy.

I have so much to share but we’re moving on August 1st.

It’s a house number 5–which I learned a bit from .

I am excited for the new creative energy in the space. And, I’ll be taking a ton of content there as it’s aesthetically our dream style.

As someone who has spent years in the depths of rebuilding a life that truly feels like my own–my two ideal dream clients (1-2 year partnerships) with holistic wellness brands and practitioners and moving into a dream house is finally feeling like everything is working out just as I had not only imagined but truly dreamed of feeling.

It’s divine on paper. And, it’s divine in my body.

I’ve grown so much in the past 2 years since moving to Dallas–reorienting my life, my business, and relationship.

I’ve never felt more myself yet still feeling like I am charting new territories as it relates to owning my power, voice, Manifestor leadership vibes, and creative expressions.

I have a therapist I am working with to help me on my journey and intention this year as I navigate COURAGE and AUDACITY as it relates to creating my own creations such as a book and magazine and creating a media company.

This is the month of downsizing.

I couldn’t be more ready.

PS. I am currently conducting market research interviews with women navigating big life transitions such as (heartbreak, move, job loss, change of careers, breakup, divorce, relationship, health diagnosis, pregnancy, infertility, etc) to learn more about your experience as it relates to how you’re navigating (or lack there of) for a client project. If this is something you’d like to chat with me about, please book a chat here.

x Amanda

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Amanda Chase is the Founder & Creative Business Strategist of Substance, a platform building holistic business ecosystems for conscious founders and brands—helping them reflect their essence, evolve with alignment, and create global impact.

This week the theme is really simple: it’s the week of replenishments.

When all the products I’ve been using have all gone out at the same exact time and it seems like everything needs to be replaced at all one time.

So, here’s what I replaced in my shower, skincare and makeup bag.

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I am obsessed with body care. I am a minimalist (or essentialist) when it comes to basically everything in life so when it comes to body scrubs, body washes, and body oil–I wanted all of them to be from the same brand. And, that’s exactly what I purchased. The result–my body is squeaky clean, smells delicious, feels moisturized and I’ve never been happier. The best $177 dollars spent in my life. Felt really over the top during the checkout at Ulta but everyday getting out of the shower and feeling the way I do makes it all worth every penny. For those days when I have a little bit more time, I like to dry brush as well. Especially as we enter the summer seasons, I feel like I am exfoliating and moisturizing a lot more than usual and as someone who has really dry skin, these products have been game changer. I’ve also been using this on the soles of my feet to help with dry and rough heels with wearing sandals and being barefoot a lot around the house.

I am obsessed with skincare. There’s something so easy when you’re able to just buy all the same skincare from one brand. It takes all the guessing out of the line up and as a result, my skin has been super clean, clear, and bright. Here’s everything I am using–and full disclosure it’s a lot of products but I alternate what I use each day and adjust to what I feel my skin needs on any given day. My skin (as mentioned above) runs more on the dryer side and I am 37 years old with no botox or filler (despite it going against practically everyone in my generation) as I refuse to do anything to my skin that I would regret in the future. And, with my luck (or lack there of) my body would be allergic to it or it would reject it or I would look botched. And, I’m just not interesting in taking that risk. Plus, I saw how beautiful my step-grandmother aged and I inspire to be more and more like her as I age gracefully and naturally. I first start with taking off my makeup with this, then cleansing my skin, serum, light moisturizer, and call it a day. In the morning I exfoliate using this, serum again, essence hydration, moisturizer and sunscreen. Yes, I double up with moisturizer and I am glowing like no other. I love it. And, the best part–it doesn’t break the bank, and I have my boyfriend who has eczema and sensitive skin on this bundle and he’s loving it too. I do want to try this in the future. Has anyone tried it? Tell me in the comments.

I am obsessed with makeup. Did you know I was a makeup artist for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics when I was in college? I learned that the makeup is only as good as the skincare (hence the obsession with the products above) and also the philosophy that makeup is there to enhance one’s natural beauty. It’s the Bobbi Brown philosophy. I still live that today so while I have only a handful of makeup items–they all serve a purpose and these are the ones I’ve most recently added to my makeup bag. This overliner lip liner, lip ciggy, brow gel, bronzer (because the other one got destroyed on a recent trip home to MD) and this bb cream (I bought 3 because they were on sale and I am praying they are not getting rid of this formulation. Honestly, my favorite is the brow gel because it looks like I got my brows laminated but it’s been well over 4 months so cheers to this product for being the shining hero this replenishment run. I apply the bronzer with this brush all over my cheeks, forehead and eyelids and that’s basically all the makeup I wear with a touch of brown mascara and a lip. It’s the perfect summer look and I’ll be wearing it all the time.

That’s everything for the week.

I have more things in the mail–so I’ll be sure to share more on those products next week. Everything from another Cymbiotika Supplement to Business & Pleasure Umbrella Base to New Balance sneakers in brown!

PS. Substance Sessions are now available for booking. The 1-year partnerships are now underway for aligned brands. And, I am still writing the dream book.

Keep going my friends.

x Amanda

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Amanda Chase is the Founder & Creative Business Strategist of Substance, a platform building holistic business ecosystems for conscious founders and brands—helping them reflect their essence, evolve with alignment, and create global impact.

Since January, I’ve focused on working as much as possible.

Yesterday, for the first time in 5 months, I went to a pilates class.

I booked a workout every other day for the next week.

And, it made me realize that for the past 5 months, I haven’t prioritized play.

It’s play because it’s something for myself.

I was inspired to make a list of the things I love to do so I could fill more of my time with things I love.

Growing up, I didn’t really have a good sense of self.

I didn’t really know what I liked to do. I didn’t really have hobbies.

So, to look at this list now, I am proud of myself and how much I have grown up and have a good sense of self within myself.

I also realized that I feel like I’ve been putting my life on hold since moving to Dallas.

I keep thinking that I am waiting to be somewhere else, besides right here.

I keep making excuses as to why I can’t sign up for things or be more involved.

I keep waiting for things to make sense. But, I don’t think they will.

So, I need to just start doing things for myself.

I plan on using this list on days/hours/minutes when I have to myself and I can do something that I enjoy.

It was a fun exercise to see everything in one place.

All the things that I enjoy. All the things I love to do.

And, allowing myself to do them is the next step to all of this.

This year, my metric of success is COURAGE. If you are wondering about making a list for yourself, check out this post here. You can listen to the visualization and start to see what you’d like to do in your life if you started to focus your life based on a feeling you want to feel in a year from now.

This list is a direct reflection of what it is to be courageous as it relates to personal things I am doing for myself.

A bit of it is embracing my femininity.

A bit of it is healing my productive self.

A bit of it is just allowing myself to enjoy life.

A bit of it is allowing my inner child to play.

A bit of it.

PS. I am excited to share that I am writing my first book. It came out of my while vacuuming the other day. I can’t tell you how fun and fulfilling it is to have a piece of art coming through me. This is what I live for.

x Amanda

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Amanda Chase is the Founder & Creative Business Strategist of Substance, a platform building holistic business ecosystems for conscious founders and brands—helping them reflect their essence, evolve with alignment, and create global impact.

I always admire people who are able to keep up with posting and creating while having a full life.

That is something I am trying to work on.

But, all that matters is I am writing here now.

It’s been a busy month.

This edition of Substance Saves is a New York City edition.

I went there on Friday, May 1st for the first time in 8+ years.

As you can imagine, I felt all the feels. I moved there in September 2012 with two suites after the final class at FIDM. I took a red-eye flight and met my mom in Times Square–blocks away from the Hearst Building where I’d arrive the following day for the first day of my intership as a Fashion Closet intern for Seventeen Magazine.

And after 5 years, 4 jobs, 3 apartments, 2 boyfriends, and 1 decision later… I left and never looked back.

I only visited once for a client project in 2018.

I guess you can say that I didn’t really miss it.

And, it’s true. It was so intense. I was making so little money. I was exhausted.

If I’m being honest with myself, I knew NYC was a means to an end. If I wanted to work in fashion magazines, I had to go there to cut my teeth.

And, I did. I worked so hard I moved to Los Angeles to pursue my own business.

I went back on May 1, 2026 for a potential client meeting.

Here’s what I saved.

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I am obsessed with public transportation. There is something to be said about the feeling of transporting around a city with headphones in, music to the soundtrack of your life playing, and being with yourself amongst a sea of people. I took the subway from LGA to AMTRAK Penn Station and dropped off my luggage for the day for $20/bag. While going through the motions and finding my way through the subways, something incredible happened–my body remembered how to navigate me, not my mind. My body moved and turned the direction that I was heading before my mind could process. It was an incredible feeling. Something I didn’t expect at all but my body had remembered every twist, turn, and way around the underground subway. I took the subway everywhere that day. And, if I wasn’t on the subway, I was walking. And, I was walking a lot. I decided not to message anyone for a meeting, besides the one I had planned because my body wanted to be in the city by myself.

I am obsessed with my favorite places. After dropping my bag, I took the subway straight to the East Village so I could go to all my favorite places. I lived on 9th street between 1st and 2nd avenue for a couple of years and I loved the routine I had there. I went to the street I lived in and saw my apartment, the coffee shop, the bodega on the corner, the laundry spot, the vintage clothing shop, the pizza spot. They were all there. None of the same people. Some in different buildings. My favorite places–due to either nostalgia, aesthetic, or proximity are: DUO NYC, ABRAÇO, PIACERE, MCNALLY JACKSON BOOKS, CAFE SELECT, KIKI’S, LA ESQUINA. Now, I can’t speak on behalf of how they are now, but I loved them back in the day so going to see them again even if by passing made my heart flutter. PS. While I was shopping at Duo (my favorite sister owned vintage shop in EV, I discovered this perfume. It was divine and I am adding it to my wish list. Plus, the branding is chef kiss. And, how cute is this branded tote from McNally?! I love the blue.

I am obsessed with the culture. This is nothing new for anyone who visits NYC. It’s the pulse of our country. LA is up there–but NYC is where you really can feel the influence of different cultures in one place because you’re walking in the streets feeling, seeing, and experiencing all the different types of people who live there. I appreciated the cafes with the music playing, the old man fixing the record player, the oven not working properly at Kiki’s, the solo bar and one buy coming to sit next to you, the bartender who feels like family, the barista afraid of being filmed, the protestors outside of Union Square, the actress in Soho, the people on the subway. I loved it all. At one point while waiting for my coffee at Abraco, I told Nick I think we should move here. And, a couple weeks later, HR asked him if I’d ever be interested in moving to NYC. Hmm. My favorite part of the entire day was hearing this song at the cafe, I tried to capture a video but I didn't so the pictures will have to suffice.

I am obsessed with writing. There was one thing that was very evident visiting there–I couldn’t stop writing. Every corner turned held a memory. The writings filled my mind constantly. And, as a result, I kept writing them down. Perhaps the processing of the feelings, memories, and place was why I kept my meetings to a minimum. I had a lot of littered memories to process.

All in all, I was only in NYC for 10 hours. I took the AMTRAK south to my parent’s home in Maryland. I’m happy I took the meeting and ventured back to NYC on my own terms and at a time when I was ready. And, I decided that I’d like to go back once a month.

See you soon, NYC.

x Amanda

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Amanda Chase is the Founder & Creative Business Strategist of Substance, a platform building holistic business ecosystems for conscious founders and brands—helping them reflect their essence, evolve with alignment, and create global impact.

I am meeting someone who said something to me that changed my life.

He said, “When is the soonest you can get to NYC? I want to show you the studio, introduce you to the team. And if I’m not able to work with you, all my clients will—and you won’t have to convince them.”

My heart skipped a beat.

My nervous system calmed.

It was a sign. A confirmation that I am meant to go where I am wanted.

There’s no better feeling than that.

And that is now the baseline for everything moving forward.

There needs to be mutual coherence in my partnerships and relationships—something I’ve lived without for all these years.

I’m not interested in anything less than working with people who want to work with me.

It’s simple. It’s alignment. It’s true partnership.

Two people coming together with a shared understanding and desire.

That’s the kind of working relationship I am moving into now.

And not just in work—but with my boyfriend, my friends, my family, my loved ones.

The greatest lesson I’ve learned this past month past decade is this: the importance of being with those who want to be with you, too.

x Amanda

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Amanda Chase is the Founder & Creative Business Strategist of Substance, a platform building holistic business ecosystems for conscious founders and brands—helping them reflect their essence, evolve with alignment, and create global impact.

That hasn’t been what’s been happening.

Instead, during this turbulent astrological time, I’ve been going. more inward.

It feels like a phase of processing, creating, building instead of consuming.

It’s almost like I’ve been at capacity with more things right now.

I scanned my iPhone screenshots and it’s just astrological happenings.

All the pictures are of Henry and I on walks.

I got nothing for you as it relates to material goods this week.

So, here’s what’s been getting me through the weeks.

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I am obsessed with ‘Everything Hallelujah’. I’ve joined the entire collective of sensitive, religious, spiritual, grateful, thankful humans on the earth who have fallen in love with this song from Justin Bieber. It’s created this entire movement of people sharing all the things they are grateful for–it goes from super materialistic to sentimental and wholesome. Neither is right or wrong, good or bad. From a sociological perspective, it’s been eye opening to see what people are grateful for. When I saw Kylie’s list, I said to myself, I have to start dreaming bigger–the Birkin Wall. LOL. I first resonated with the song, because this past year I started praying out loud on my morning walks. I start with the things that I can see, hear, and touch. That usually is the sun shining, the birds chirping, walking Henry, being on a walk, breathing, etc. It’s a very beautiful, spiritual, soulful song that helps me feel more grateful for the simple things in life.

I am obsessed with being with people who want to be with me. I feel like I’ve matured overnight. But, something has shifted in the past 2 weeks and I feel a strong urge to just be around people who want to be around me. And, it’s not just physical, but it’s everything from the type of people I work with, my clients, people who understand me, appreciate what I bring to the world. I’m so tired of explaining myself to people who do not get it or get what I am doing. I genuinely do not have any patience for it anymore. I’m not explaining myself. I’m not bending over backwards. I’m not trying to force anything anymore. If it’s in flow, it’s in flow. If it’s not, it’s not. I’m excited to see who and what leaves and who and what comes in.

I am obsessed with being with the spectrum of emotions. I remember when I was working with a therapist during the pandemic and she asked me to explain the difference between two different emotions. I couldn't explain how they felt. I was so out of touch with accessing, accepting, and processing emotions. Everything just felt the same–melancholy, numb, distant. I’ve done SO MUCH WORK on myself throughout the past 6 years that I can tell you with such detail the spectrum and difference of the emotions that run through my body. I can tell you if I feel anger, rage, anxiety, sadness, loneliness, excitement, joy, euphoria, confusion, etc. I can tell you how they show up differently. I can tell you how I sit with them all. I can tell you what I need. I can tell you how I feel. I can process my emotions. What I’ve discovered about myself and life in general is that we are here to FEEL our emotions. That’s how I know I’ve made it–because I no longer feel numb. Things bother me. Things hurt me. Things make me happy. Things are being felt. I’ve most recently been able to access and feel into the sacred rage that has lived in me since I was young. I can’t tell you exactly what is causing it, that is not as important as it is to just feel the emotion. I’m so tired of the wellness, spiritual, conscious space bypassing the importance of feeling emotions. There’s so much wisdom to feel our emotions and healthily express them. I am over the rhetoric that someone is less spiritual when they contain their emotions. I have zero desire to live without feeling emotions. Sure, it’s important to watch our triggers, but the medicine is to feel them, let them rise within us, and be expressed and then processed. Not pretending they don’t exist. We’ve missed the plot.

I am obsessed with writing the book. Everyday more information is being exposed. Sometimes it’s a philosophical book like Rick Rubin’s book The Creative Act. Sometimes it’s a memoir like Glennon Doyle’s book Untamed. But, I’m just enjoying being in the motion of creating and writing something. There’s movement happening. And, that feels good. It’s almost like the book influences the events which influences everything else. So, I’ll keep going.

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That’s everything for the week.

I hope you’re well.

x

Amanda

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Amanda Chase is the Founder & Creative Business Strategist of Substance, a platform building holistic business ecosystems for conscious founders and brands—helping them reflect their essence, evolve with alignment, and create global impact.

I lost and I received this message from my boyfriend.

This message would be a metaphor of the greatest lesson I’ve learned through this experience.

The following days were met with a lot of questions.

To be honest, I was thinking that by getting this grant I would have a purpose for being in Dallas with my work.

I’ve been trying for 1.5 years to make Dallas work for my business and it’s been unsuccessful.

I don’t really think people understand what I do here.

I’ve had a handful of clients but besides that, it’s been really quiet for client-work.

I’ve been trying to make Dallas work for my brand, but it just hasn’t. I’ve tried networking and meeting with people. I am ghosted. I am declined.

I thought that by winning the grant that I’d meet the right people, be connected with people who want to work with me, grow the studio, create the community.

And when I was standing backstage, watching another brand win–I started questioning everything.

The main thing that I realized is that I built an incredible business plan for Substance and that I would be moving forward on the business plan regardless of the outcome.

So, I am keeping to my word.

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I’m building my vision–yet with people and places that also want to build with me.

You see, just because someone tells you no, doesn’t mean that someone will say yes elsewhere.

After I found out the news, I took 3 days to process.

And, then I got to work after reaching clarity.

I decided that it is time for me to get back to traveling back to NYC and LA to find people and clients that align with me and my vision.

—

Within hours of the grant door closing, other door started opening.

I received a voice message from a previous client, asking me to jump on a discovery call to talk about potential partnership.

I got invited to a creative studio in NYC to meet with the founder and his team to discuss a possibility of collaboration with either their studio or their clients.

I received an inquiry from a potential client to join the Business of Substance program. And, the another.

I met with multiple people in the past month who live in NYC and would want to do work with me and meet up with them.

I received the vision to host a workshop in LA with my friend who owns a co-working space in Highland Park.

I message my part-time company and told them that I’d love to be considered for a full-time position in LA sometime. She forwarded the email to HR.

I got accepted as a member to Forma Pilates, which, IYKYK is more important that being accepted as a Soho House member or another private membership club.

—

You see, when one door closes others open.

At this point, people might call me crazy for staying with my vision.

For never giving up.

And, sometimes I wonder if it will ever work out.

But, I keep telling myself that the only way to fail is to quit.

I’ve quit things in the past that didn’t feel like they were going anywhere.

But, I have to keep going with this dream and vision because I know it’s important.

I know it needs to exist.

And, I was able to read all the comments in this post that reminded me I’ve helped so many people create a life and business of substance.

And, it’s not just about helping people, but it’s about me reaching my full-potential.

It’s for my own destiny and purpose.

—

So, despite not winning the grant, I am going to make it happen on my own.

But, I am not on my own.

I have the full support of my boyfriend.

I have the full support of my family.

I have the full support of my friends.

I am not doing it on my own.

I am doing it with the support of my community, friends, and family.

To be honest, that is the one thing that I haven’t fully felt my entire life.

I’ve always felt like I’ve had to do it all alone.

And, as a result, I felt more isolated and alone.

But, not now.

And, perhaps, I was never really alone.

But, now I really don’t feel like I am achieving my dreams on my own.

I could post more about this as it’s really the CORE of my life mission but to pursue something–and fail or lose–and still feel loved is the greatest gift from this experience.

—

Do you know what happens when someone feels supported?

They are more brave.

They are more strong.

They are more confident.

Because, they have a deep understanding that they are held.

Most recently, I’ve been stripped of everything to be shown that I actually have all the things I really need.

And, from there, we grow from a new foundation.

I keep thinking that I am not starting over from scratch.

I’m starting over with 20+ years of experience.

Love in my heart. And loved ones beside me.

20 years ago, when I was first starting I felt like I was alone.

I felt like I had to do it all on my own.

Look how far I got without feeling supported, held, loved.

I am excited to see how life goes when I know I am supported.

When I feel supported.

—

So, where do we go from here? Here’s where:

• Flying to NYC for a bunch of coffee dates on May 1st

• Flying to MD for my brother and his wife’s baby shower

• Going to ATX to network and support my boyfriend (who is a main speaker!!!) at League of Original Summit

• Flying to LA for the Make Something of Substance tour and coffee dates

• Going to Forma Pilates classes to meet more aligned women in my network

• Launching The Business of Substance program cohort week of May 18th

• Finding aligned clients to join our partnerships offering

• Starting to build a Substance team

• Writing edgy content on Substack to share my POV

• Filming in-person podcast episodes

• Writing a book

• Praying and being grateful for everything I do have even in a time of uncertainty

You see, when one door closes and A BUNCH OF OTHER ones open.

x Amanda

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Amanda Chase is the Founder & Creative Business Strategist of Substance, a platform building holistic business ecosystems for conscious founders and brands—helping them reflect their essence, evolve with alignment, and create global impact.

It’s one thing to think them in my head but to share something this edgy with the internet is really triggering for me.

But, I am going to just be honest and frank that my “perpetually underwhelmed” perspective on brands and content is what has made my mark in the sand with clients.

I am going to be sharing more of these in-depth analysis of what I think the worlds top brands could be doing better–as it’s my truth. This is also what has made my work incredibly successful and how I helped Free + Native become To Be Magnetic and create the iconic wellness product + content ecosystem to date.

First up, David Ghiyam’s brand.

—

I’ve been studying David Ghiyam’s teachings for the past 2.5 years.

I first started purchasing the courses through the Kabbalah Centre app. I listened to the courses religiously on every walk and drive.

I started to apply the teachings from the course material as much as possible.

But, then something happened.

I couldn’t absorb more information through my mind.

Sure, there were a couple of journaling prompts.

But, mainly, I was left to my own to create my own miracles without true support.

I’ve continued to follow but something changed and I can’t ignore it anymore.

The visions, ideas, and concepts are coming to me in my dreams–when I try to sleep, when I am trying to consume the content.

So, I finally sat down and put my thoughts together and I wanted to share how I’d reposition the brand to be more inclusive, universal and practical.

Now, I want to preface that this is the work I love to do and what I’ve built my career around–is seeing the POTENTIAL and VISION for a brand and then of course, helping them BUILD IT. It’s something about the way my brain works, I just see things very clearly of what is not working–something that feels inauthentic.

And, this is not a reflection on the person or the brand… in actuality it’s a very common thing that we see within individual brands where it becomes OFF. I know others can feel it too because I have talked to many people on the shift that happens-to no fault of their own- without a proper creative business strategist that can help you get out of your own head and into the essence of the brand.

So, in my effort to do what I feel called to share, here’s how I would make the brand feel more aligned, intentional, and conscious of how it’s coming off.

✺ PROBLEM ONE: SPIRITUAL WISDOM → KABBALISTIC WISDOM

My biggest pet peeve is when brands DO NOT OWN who they are and what separates them from the rest. David's current positioning is “Universal Spiritual Educator” when in reality, the teachings are Kabbalistic teachings. Yes, spiritual laws and wisdom are within Kabbalah but not being clear on this is the biggest problem. The more in depth you get with his teachings the more you receive information on the old testament, Kabbalah and so much more. I think they’ve decided to go this route because it’s safer and more acceptable from a “larger audience” POV but to me this is inaccurate and leads to misinformation. I don’t want to see your credentials in your bio, I want to know how investing in your programs, teachings, and guidance will help me achieve my goals and help me transform. Tell me the transformation instead of the accolades.

✺ PROBLEM TWO: EGO-CENTRIC VISUALS → UNIVERSAL VISUALS

This is another pet peeve of mine with brands–when all the pictures are of the founder. It tells me ONE THING: it’s all about you. In business 101–a brand is here to solve a problem for your customer. When brands just focus on themselves it tells me that you are not interested in selling your products, you are selling yourself. You are selling the image of you. It’s essentially saying, if you do this, you will become like me. I am the goal. I am the prize. Now, I don’t think this is ever intentional, but it is a sign that you’ve never been okay to build a brand that is not centered on you. Every product asset is your face. That is not how it should go. My whole perspective is that the founders are the GUIDE to their client’s hero JOURNEY. Each product is essentially his face on it and it makes me feel less inclined to sign up. I have a Pinterest board that I am starting to collect with my ideas for the brand but it’s much more grounded and universal. It’s so off putting to be seeing a face as the branding of a product.

Do you feel the difference? It’s an invitation to your own consciousness journey.

✺ PROBLEM THREE: SURFACE LEVEL CONTENT → PRACTICAL GUIDES

I used to watch every reel, listen to every podcast, attend the online monthly program. Well, that was until it all started to become repetitive and stopped giving me anything practical and substantial. What is happening right now is a bunch of talking AT ME type of content. This is the problem, this is what you need to change and then that’s it. The guidance is to keep going to the programs and David AI to get more in-depth transformation. This is not enough. If I were to work with the team, I would come up with the rituals, prayers, practical guides, specific courses, etc that actually help someone on a daily basis to help with their transformation.

I think there’s a lot of the Kabbalistic lifestyle that David lives but does not show and the only reason why I say that is because if you follow his girlfriend, Hannah Eve, she shows the behind the scenes of his life where his is praying with tefillin and wearing traditional orthodox jewish attire which is totally fine, and I love that for him but he doesn’t show the actual practices and rituals he does to embody and show the realistic way he lives his Kabbalistic life. I think it’s a way of coming off more approachable and less polarizing but to be honest, I would appreciate him being fully himself and showing his honest lifestyle and truth.

If I were working with them, I would reimagine their entire content and product ecosystem based on REFINED client avatars that actually help and provide the support the needs of the clients on a very practical way. I’d suggest they do case studies, showcase how miracles have happened in the lives of others, I’d suggest they do more interviews with people showing their Kabbalah journey. I’d suggest he write a book on daily practices and prayers.

There is SO MUCH I’d do to make this brand more accessible for the everyday person as it relates to a product and content perspective. He is the GUIDE to the HERO JOURNEY–they need to guide them on the clients transformation. Be the guide. It’s not your job to be perfect. It’s your job to show your audience how to solve their problem and be integral and honest in the approach. Vulnerability is the new perfectionism.

Ultimately, a lot of brands have a real problem when they don’t position themselves clearly and specifically. It’s important for you to know who you are, what you do, how you do it, and what your clients want. If you can’t answer that in-depth you are missing the point. It could be done better.

—

Woo. This one is super spicy and edgy for me to put out and I hope that it comes off as constructive instead of tearing a brand down. I just can’t help but feel when brands start to feel off and see how I could see them reimagine it to get back to the ESSENCE of the brand. I trust that the essence is there it just needs refinement and a true remembrance of how the brand is truly here to guide.

If you are interested in repositioning or positioning your brand based on your AUTHENTIC essence, I am launching The Business of Substance Program Cohort enrolling now and starting May 18th! It’s a three-month coaching program to teach you how to create your own Holistic Business Ecosystem to build the business of your dreams that’s based on your unique essence! It has everything I wish I had when I first started my creative career 20 years ago!

xA

—

Amanda Chase is the Founder & Creative Business Strategist of Substance, a platform building holistic business ecosystems for conscious founders and brands—helping them reflect their essence, evolve with alignment, and create global impact.

My favorite part about creating things is finally sharing all my obsessions with you all.

It’s one thing to have them for my enjoyment and pleasure but the real joy for me is to share them with you so you can benefit from them as well.

On a personal note, this week has been quite profound for me. Last Saturday, I talked to God and my life hasn’t been the same since.

I will be sharing more once I can make a bit more sense of it but, I can’t help but start there as the FEELING beneath this weeks creations are different than ever before.

On a professional note, this week has been busy. I work a part-time styling job and we’ve had SO many changes happening in the store with people leaving and new people starting. It’s been more distracting that I would have liked to admit and it’s taken longer than usual for me to get my brand tasks complete.

I’ve also had the house to myself this week. My partner is on a work trip and it’s just been me, myself, and Henry at the house. It’s a wonderful feeling to have my alone time and to be in my own energy as a Manifestor in Human Design. He’ll be home tomorrow just in time to join me at the award ceremony and party where they’ll be announcing the winner of the Foundation Grant. It feels important. I am grateful.

THIS WEEKS OBSESSIONS.

I am obsessed with Invisalign. Or maybe I am obsessed with the results of Invisalign. I’m on tray 7 of 14. I am half way done–that is of course, if I don’t have to extend my time wearing them at the end. I’ve noticed that it’s completely changing the structure of my mouth, teeth, and overall facial structure. I never thought I’d be saying this as it’s caused truly so much pain, inconvenience, and to be really frank frustration and annoyance since the day I got them in. And, most days I wake up with jaw pain, clenching, and TMJ pain. Most days, I have a bit that doesn’t feel quite right. Most days, I am hungry and irritated that I can’t just not wear them for one day. But, I’m starting to see the benefits of them and it’s all making sense now. My fave looks completely different. Maybe it’s just natural aging. Or, maybe I’m shapeshifting. Or, maybe our mouths change the shape of our entire face and I had no idea.

I am obsessed with minimal lingerie. The lingerie that you wear on a regular Tuesday. Nothing special or fancy. Nothing for show. Just for yourself. I think good basic lingerie is very hard to find but in this round up this week, I am sharing with you three brands that I feel do the minimal lingerie just right. This is for the girls who don’t like bright colors, want something simple, feminine, and neutral. My favorites are here, here, here and here. What I love about this style is very simple–they simply accentuate your natural shape and size. They make you look and feel beautiful with or without clothing. Just be sure to buy the whole set so you match tops with bottoms. Something to know about these though is the washing technique. Don’t do what I’ve done in the past and throw them in the regular washer and dryer as they become completely destroyed. They need to be placed in a lingerie bag on delicates and whatever else the labels recommend.

I am obsessed with statement ceramic mugs. This is so niche it’s crazy. But, I truly have been obsessed with the color of “International Klein Blue (IKB) is a deep, matte, and intensely vivid ultramarine blue invented and patented in 1960 by French artist Yves Klein in collaboration with chemist Edouard Adam” especially on ceramic mugs. I first drank from one at a sublet’s house that I rented out in 2022. I miss that apartment. I miss that friendship. I miss the journaling outside at 6AM. I miss the mug. I’ve been trying to find it ever since (both the mug and the friend). And, this week, Canyon Coffee released their cherry apple red espresso mug and I went down the rabbit role. Here are the three favorites I’ve saved this week for when we are ready to invest in ceramic mugs for our coffees, teas, matchas, and lattes. The thing that makes them even more perfect is the cup and saucer set. Clearly, I am on a “set” kick right now–without the saucer they feel incomplete. My favorite sets are here, here, and here and notable single ceramic mugs are here, here and here.

I am obsessed with holistic wellness. I am still sitting on drafting a post titled “How I Healed Adenomyosis Holistically & Naturally in 2 Years” but if you know me, you know that I not ONLY work for conscious and wellness brands, I live, eat and breathe this lifestyle. But, not in an influencer, supplement, peptides, way. I focus on balance, drinking matcha before food, fruit, coffee after breakfast, pancakes on holidays, a skinny margarita at Las Palmas and chips and salsa, walking 10k steps, praying, meditating, listening to Alan Watts, and then Harry Styles. I’m also incredibly picky when it comes to where I am investing my time, money and energy on wellness modalities and practitioners. I’ve seen it all. I am completely skeptical of most things. But, I am also very much the type of person to shout things from the rooftop if and when they work. The two practitioners that I worked with these past couple of years on my journey of healing was Meghan Swidler and Eve Daher Kinsella. They are both launching programs right now that I’ve been part of and can speak on behalf of. Meghan is launching The Reset, her three-month program to help people cleanse and detoxify their lifestyle. Within 30 days of this protocol, I had a regular cycle after months of ovarian cysts, mental depression, and PMDD. Eve is the Founder of Gentle Being, I worked with her in her Uncover Mentorship to help me reconnect with my spirituality, guides, angels and intuition. She’s launching her first digital course, Intuitive Awakening to help tap into your intuition. If you book with any of them, tell them I sent you. You’ll be in the best of hands. PS. They both have gone through our proprietary framework, Holistic Business Ecosystem, to help them grow and scale in a way that is aligned with their essence.

That’s everything for the week.

Until next time.

xA

—

Amanda Chase is the Founder & Creative Business Strategist of Substance, a platform building holistic business ecosystems for conscious founders and brands—helping them reflect their essence, evolve with alignment, and create global impact.

After the Peter Crone Mastermind in November, I experienced the lowest of lows.

The way in which I was showing up in the world was no longer working.

Which really just shows how out of alignment I was living before.

Life as I knew it came to a screeching halt.

No more clients. No more group coaching programs. No more money.

—

In the middle of January, I started updating my LinkedIn and resume.

I started applying for full-time and part-time jobs to get by.

I had no idea what I was going to do but I knew it had to be better than what I was doing before.

I ended up interviewing at a couple places and got a part-time job as a stylist.

It felt like a failure. But, I kept going because it felt right in my body.

What happened was a remembrance of the multi-expressions of self.

I started feeling creative again. I started sharing my curations.

I started to feel rejuvenated. I felt like I had a purpose again.

I felt like I was coming alive.

—

And, then on February 10th I received an email in my spam email inbox from SESSIONS Pilates, a local pilates studio here in Dallas.

I applied.

I spent two hours working on the application and writing up my DREAM business plan for Substance — a platform and publication helping 1 BILLION female visionaries globally and 1M in Dallas create the life and business of their dreams.

The dream I had when I was 18 years old to have a platform and publication empowering and guiding female visionaries to create a life and business of SUBSTANCE.

I remember thinking to myself and saying out loud to my partner that I thought this was going to be a waste of time.

I’ve applied to these in the past and never heard back.

But, I figured — why not just apply. I had nothing to lose.

I clicked Submit and forgot about it.

—

Weeks went by. Months went by.

And, then I received an email on Friday, March 20th that I was a top finalist for the Foundation Grant and they would be conducting in-person interviews in Dallas the week of March 23rd.

This was also the day before Nick and I would be leaving for our first vacation together since we started dating over 3 years ago to the Dominican Republic.

A whole week together at the beach.

I couldn’t believe it.

I made the decision to cut the vacation in half and fly home by myself for the interview.

I booked the first interview on the final day of interviews. Thursday, March 26th.

Leaving the DR that morning was incredibly hard.

I was so sad to leave my partner and our friends and the time we were having.

And so emotional, knowing that I was going to do something for myself that meant the world to me.

—

This is when everything shifted.

I stood up for myself. I did something for myself. I put my needs first.

I left something so important for me. For my dream. For my life. For my vision.

On my flight home, I got upgraded to first class.

I ended up sitting next to a man who is an actual earth angel.

He and I talked about how to prepare, what to wear, what to bring for this interview.

After we parted ways, I had another flight from Atlanta to Dallas.

I spent the entire flight preparing my notes and everything we discussed.

Here’s the notes:

Read more

It’s been busy recently–between work, clients, potential client chats, wrapping up a client, working a side job–I find myself quite busy.

But, all good things. I am really happy. It’s now Sunday and I am able to write and listen to some nice music with a clean house, laundry going, and ClaudeAI working on writing a business plan for me on the background.

It’s very peaceful. This week’s Substance Saves are very much vacation-inspired. I haven’t been on vacation in over three years so my heart was fluttering with joy being by a beach, playing tennis, swimming in the pool, and spending time with friends.

THE WEEKLY OBSESSIONS

I am obsessed with “Island Whimsy” — I spent the past week in the Dominican Republic at a boutique hotel that completely rewired my brain chemistry. The style of Playa Grande Beach Club designed by Celerie Kemble is called “Island Whimsy” and it lived up to the name. Every detail was immaculate. Every corner was thought of –in a way that made you feel comfortable, at home, and also luxurious. Everything from the patterns, colors of the walls, body scrub, oversized tubs, homemade body cream that smells like a vacation, to my favorite part–not having an ounce of black on the entire property. I had never been to a place designed so intentionally to embrace the beauty of prints, colors, pastels, softness, and immense beauty and luxury. It had me rethinking my entire capsule wardrobe but then remembered that how I dress today is the exact way I dreamed of dressing 5 years ago when I started a capsule wardrobe collection. I’ll just have to start a new DR wardrobe for next time.

I am obsessed with bikinis. — I am very picky when it comes to everything bikinis. I’ve tried a bunch of different brands from Heavy Manners, Tropic of C, Elce, Negative, Zulu & Zephyr, Hunza G, and my favorite amongst all of them is Tropic of C for many reasons. The first reason, it’s incredibly comfortable. I don’t feel like my boobs or butt are falling out at every move. The second reason, the colors are beautiful and you can feel the quality in the fabric. The third reason, it’s the perfect cut for accentuating the feminine figure. But, I am coining this brand the best bikini brand. I could go into detail why the others failed at this contest but they range from being too conservative, to becoming too loose of fabric after one summer, to not fitting right and keeping things in place (if you know what I mean). It’s this top and this bottom. I’ll be buying all the colors of this fit in the future. I am obsessed.

I am obsessed with denim. — I started my obsession with Levi’s 501 90's Jeans and recently discovered these GEMS within the Anine Bing denim collection. My absolute favorites are here, here, and here. But, specially for today, I am obsessing over the Roy Jeans 31” in Clean Indigo. I am 5’8” and about 135lbs with a pretty straight figure–a little hip and butt and I bought the size 26. I absolutely love them because they don’t fit tight at all. They are roomy, straight legged, and have a beautiful opening at the bottom. They are the perfect color to go with all the colors in my wardrobe and literally the quality of denim are incredibly well made. I feel so confident wearing them and I completely get the hype. Paired with this tee and this blazer and these slingback. This is my favorite go-to outfit these days.

I am obsessed with playful, 90-style, pieces. — I blame my childhood growing up in the 90’s with an obsession with smiley face shirts, hair wraps, braided anklets, and jelly sandals. But, they are making a huge comeback in the trends these days especially as it relates to accessories. The trend of paracords, chunky metals, statement pieces, charms and colorful jewelry has to be my favorite for the summer. For years, I’ve been obsessed with the pieces from éliou for years, yet to purchase an item yet but when I do, I am going here, here, and here. And, most recently, I discovered Martha Calvo Joolz brand as they’re doing a popup here in Dallas. I love a lot of things from them as well including this, this, and this. I can see a lot of resemblance and inspiration from one another. And, then you have the Dorsey paracord anklets/bracelets/necklaces that are of course, trending too, which my friend gifted me a similar style recently and it’s so cute!

until next time.

xA

—

Amanda Chase is the Founder & Creative Business Strategist of Substance, a platform building holistic business ecosystems for conscious founders and brands—helping them reflect their essence, evolve with alignment, and create global impact.

20 years ago, I told my mom that I wanted to become an editor-in-chief for a magazine one day.

And, she said something to me that would forever change my life.

She told me my dream was a hobby.

It was then that I decided to commit my life to pursuing my dream–college in LA, moving with two suit cases by myself, and then moving to NYC with those same two suitcases, Pink hair and cut off shorts straight off the plane to an unpaid internship at Seventeen Magazine.

That phrase would haunt me. Every decision. Every moment in my life was to prove her and everyone else who didn’t believe in my vision that they were wrong.

I recently had an astrology reading and he told me that I have the chart of an editor. He said my mother said that to protect me. But, that she was completely wrong.

By not having the support and someone saying to me that they believe in me, I went out and provided it to other people.

I know what it feels like to have a dream and have no idea how to make it happen and better yet not to have anyone who supports that dream with you.

That’s what has made Substance so successful all these years.

Yes, the business plans work. Yes, the digital courses and memberships sell. Yes, the branding is beautiful and translates into brand loyalty. Yes, the content is truly reflective of their essence. Yes, everything proves ROI.

But, in my opinion the very biggest thing I’ve been able to give every single one of my clients is the BELIEF in them to make their dreams come true.

That’s our value proposition. It’s the one thing that separates us from everyone else.

I realized I hadn’t share the story on this before until I stumbled upon this video today by by Simon Sinek below, and it moved me to tears.

@simonsinekCourage grows when we know someone is there for us. Video from Nordic Business Forum 2025, in conversation with broadcaster, journalist, and conference host, Maddy Savage

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And, if you want to read more about how Substance has changed the lives of our community and clients, please read the comments in this post.

This is the change and impact we’re here to create.

If you need support, we can help you with 1:1 Sessions and a group coaching program, The Business of Substance, teaching you how to create the business of your dreams launching in Q2.

x Amanda

—

Amanda Chase is the Founder & Creative Business Strategist of Substance, a platform building holistic business ecosystems for conscious founders and brands—helping them reflect their essence, evolve with alignment, and create global impact.