Have you ever wondered if you could turn your corporate experience into a thriving consulting business?
In this episode, I sit down with Amanda Schwartz Ramirez, a strategy and operations executive who made the leap from leading high-growth companies like PayPal and Dapper Labs to building her own successful consulting business, Garden Labs.
After working 80-hour weeks while pregnant with her third child, Amanda knew something had to change. She didn’t want to slow down—she wanted to pivot. Now, she helps tech leaders scale with intention and empowers women to see the possibilities in their skills.
In our conversation, Amanda shares:
✅ How she transitioned from corporate leader to consultant without feeling overwhelmed
✅ The exact steps she took to identify her marketable skills and land her first clients
✅ The biggest lessons she learned from her early consulting contracts
✅ How women can start small—whether it’s a side hustle, coaching, or launching their own business
✅ Why flexibility and self-trust are key to making the leap successfully
As Amanda says, “Don’t get stuck in your title. Think about the impact you’ve made and how that can work for you.”
If you’re ready to explore a career beyond the 9-to-5 and leverage your skills in a whole new way, this episode is for you.
👉 Hit play now and take the first step!
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About Amanda Schwartz Ramirez
Amanda Schwartz Ramirez is a strategy and operations executive, advisor, and coach with over 15 years of experience in scaling high-performing tech companies. As the founder and CEO of Garden Labs, she helps venture-backed startups and executives navigate growth and transformation. Through her Maven course, Amanda guides leaders in successfully transitioning into advisory and consulting roles.
Connect with Amanda:
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amandamschwartz
• Website: gardenlabs.xyz
Podcast Episode Timestamps
00:00 Introduction & Amanda’s Background
03:38 Transition from Music to Tech
04:48 Strategy and Ops at PayPal
05:59 Embracing Uncertainty and Career Pivots
07:12 Managing Ambiguity with Planning
08:20 Balancing Motherhood and Workload
10:19 Decision to Transition into Consulting
12:28 Importance of Remote Work
14:53 Reassessing Career and Family Balance
19:17 Deconstructing Corporate Roles for Consulting
21:38 Finding Marketable Skills Beyond Job Titles
23:53 Building a Network and Early Consulting Contracts
25:25 Iterating on Services and Pricing
28:28 Importance of Taking Action vs. Procrastination
31:06 Freedom and Joy in Consulting
32:55 Advice for Women Considering Consulting
33:12 Personal Reflection on Career Choices
34:00 Amanda’s Invitation to Connect on LinkedIn
34:10 Outro and Next Episode Teaser
