Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Chandler. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Amy discovered a passion for family history after a childhood injury. It was her passion for family history that led her to discover the power of stories. Later, while pursuing her undergraduate degree in Recreation Management at Brigham Young University, Amy took a class on starting non-profits.
Her childhood passion for storytelling evolved into an idea for a non-profit that would provide an opportunity for individuals facing difficult life challenges to tell their stories. By the end of the semester, Amy had outlined the idea behind My Story Matters. However, she set the plans aside–thinking she would pursue the idea in retirement. God had other plans.
In May 2011, Amy received a strong impression that she was not to delay starting the non-profit she had planned in her undergraduate class. She had 4 young children at home, health issues, and a million reasons why the timing was not right. But she had one very strong reason to move forward despite the seemingly crazy timing: faith. Amy will be the first to tell you that God directs her life, including the organization and running of My Story Matters. With her husband’s support, Amy moved forward with the idea.
Plans came together at an accelerated pace. Amy says the scariest part of starting MSM was sharing her idea with others, not knowing how they would respond. However, God placed the right people for the MSM board in Amy’s life. Not only did these women accept her invitation to join her in this adventure, they each later shared with her that they had been praying for an opportunity to get involved in serving the community.
When Amy started MSM, her goal was to publish two books a month. Only a few years into the adventure, MSM is already publishing thousands of books each year. Amy continues to move forward and expand the vision of MSM.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has been a continual journey of learning obstacles. There have been difficulties and struggles. Many of those challenges have been surrounded by the need for more funding.
We have had to get creative to find ways to get the money needed to continue helping people. We are grateful for the community support that has helped us keep the mission of MSM thriving.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I wear many hats in the organization. Every day is a different adventure. Some days are full of paperwork, legal forms, and finances. On other days I have the privilege of guiding individuals through the process of writing the story they want to create for their future. I am passionate about people and I love the opportunities I have to work with individuals one on one or in a classroom setting. As they engage in this process they choose to claim and create the future they want to achieve.
I know that within each of us is a unique skill set designed to help us achieve far more than we realize. It is my mission to help others find THEIR mission and learn how to bless the world with it. Chasing and achieving our dreams can and should be done in every phase of life! You are never too young or too old to decide you will be the hero of YOUR story and you can use that story to bless all within your influence. I have an undying belief that anything is possible and I love to help you regain your belief in that for you and your life.
Often we learn incredible principles that can change our life. We sometimes apply them, but not always. We don’t always realize how they are connected. What we have created with our Safe Harbors curriculum helps you take intentional daily action aligned with a vision and shows you how all these tools align to create incredible shifts in your life.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up I was always labeled the “bossy” one. I always say leadership looks messy at six. I enjoyed planning and executing events. I had no problem taking the lead on a project and helping it be successful.
I was the oldest and grew up on a farm where values of hard work, determination, and dedication were instilled. I loved sports and played several in my childhood years. I also enjoyed dance, the arts, and being with friends. I loved being with people.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mystorymatters.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mystorymatters/face
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/My-Story-Matters-224444630973962
