After a promising start and near-acquisition, Amanda Bickerstaff’s company faced sudden turbulence. To survive, she made a pivot by changing their invoicing model, which gave them critical cash flow. She threw herself into the business, working around the clock and stretching herself thin to keep everything afloat. But over time, especially during talks of a second acquisition, trust between her and the original founders broke down. Despite being responsible for day-to-day operations, Amanda never felt she had true authority or autonomy, always navigating negotiations just to do her job. Her sacrifices, including two years away from home and relentless work, weren’t met with equal respect or trust, leaving her feeling undervalued and emotionally drained.
Things deteriorated further when she led a high-stakes re-platforming project without the support or infrastructure she needed. Working 100-hour weeks and suffering from burnout, Amanda still faced skepticism and even dismissive remarks about her wellbeing—like a board member telling her “no one’s died from work stress.” She realized she had compromised her values and health for an environment that wasn’t going to change. So, she quit. After taking months to travel and recover—an act of self-preservation and privilege she doesn’t take lightly—Amanda eventually felt whole again. Now, as the founder of her own company, she’s thriving. She leads with purpose, autonomy, and joy, building tools that empower others and doing work she truly believes in.
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Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services.