Amanda Goetz: Sleep, Stress, Sex, and Breaking the Stigma of CBD
Amanda Goetz | Credit: Robyn Dawn Photos
Since this platform was launched, the founder at Working Momkind has worked incredibly hard to create a virtual community focused on empowering moms worldwide to pursue their dreams and crush their goals. A community free of judgment and far from perfect, but filled with women ready to cheer you on and lend a hand when you need it most. That very same drive, built on encouragement, conviction, respect, and support, motivated the launch of our latest series, Inspiring Momkind.
Inspiring Momkind was born from a desire to give our readers a peek inside the lives of powerhouse women who make it happen at work and at home. To spotlight moms in all different industries, with the goal to uplift, inspire, and normalize our everyday realities. Simple, straightforward honesty from women who have seen and done it all. It is truly remarkable what seasoned moms will share with each other and how they champion for one another. With this series, we hope to make some of their tips, tricks, and soundbites visible to all of you who may be searching for similar encouragement.
Founder of recently launched House of Wise, at first glance, Amanda Goetz seems to have always had it all. The visionary behind the luxury CBD brand aimed at empowering women to take control of their Sleep, Stress, and Sex; Goetz has three beautiful children and an impressive career as the creator of an events-based technology startup, the former VP of Marketing for The Knot Worldwide, and most recently, the part-time CMO for Teal. But despite all of her hard work and success, it was just four short years ago, and at the height of her career, that Amanda found herself in NYC, navigating a divorce, and scrambling to figure out next steps for her life as a single mom of three.
In 2017 Amanda discovered the benefits that cannabis/CBD could provide for her high anxiety and stress levels. An advocate for therapy, but knowing she needed something else, her research on the health benefits of the hemp plant began. From there, the idea for House of Wise was born. Amanda speaks openly about what motivated her to launch a CBD brand amidst a pandemic and her unapologetic approach to empowering women to take control of their lives and break down stigmas.
Amanda Goetz
WM: What motivated you to leave work in a more traditional corporate world and become the founder of a cannabis company?
AG: I was the part-time CMO for Teal while I launched House of Wise. I raised a small round of capital the summer of the pandemic, quit my job that September to fully focus on it, and officially launched our beta site, December 1, 2020. But the motivation to even create the company came from my own personal experience. Going through a divorce with three children under the age of four led me to discover cannabis as an alternative to alcohol, which was no longer serving me. I am very passionate about removing stigmas around needing help and encouraging others (especially women and moms) to let go of the belief that we must go through tough things alone or with guilt. CBD brought me calm and focus in difficult times that years of therapy couldn't touch (I'm an advocate for both as a winning combo for myself)!
WM: You have three kids, recently worked as the VP of Marketing for TheKnot.com, switched to become the part-time CMO for Teal, and launched a business during a pandemic; can you describe what your typical day looks like?
AG: Right now, I get up and get my 3 kids (ages 7,5,3) fed, dressed, and ready for homeschool. Once they get going with their teacher and nanny, I head up to my bedroom to work from 9-5pm. I block my calendar from 9:00-11:00am for "offensive" work (things I want to push forward). Starting at 11:00am, I dive into emails and meetings. At 4:00pm, my cortisol crashes, so I use that hour to get my energy back up with a workout. At 4:45pm, I will sometimes take a "commute bath" if I didn't get to work out because it's really hard for me to switch from work mode to mom mode. 5:00pm is when my childcare leaves, so I need to get the kids fed, bathed, and play with them until their 7:30pm bedtime. At 8:00pm, I usually take a bath to relax, watch Tik Tok, and then do any remaining work before a strict 9:00pm bedtime.
WM: What is one piece of advice you have for new moms in the workplace that you discovered along the way?
AG: As a newly minted mom, I had no idea how much time would be spent preparing to pump, actually pumping, and cleaning pump parts. My entire meeting schedule revolved around this, and I had to quickly get over saying, "I need to pump." At first, I was scared of making people uncomfortable, but there should be NO SHAME in this act. It's important to set boundaries and expectations, allowing yourself the time, energy, and sanity you need at such a pivotal moment in motherhood.
WM: And what about now, as an experienced mom to three?
AG: We need to stop trying to pretend like we don't have kids. After my divorce, it was important for me to have extra time with my kids, so I would leave work at 4:00pm on the days I had them. Instead of sneaking out, I would say where I was going, how to reach me, and when I would be back online. Life is not clean or compartmentalized, and we need to start opening up about our needs to make it all work.
WM: What does being a mother and the founder of a company in 2021 mean to you?
AG: Being a mom in 2021 means boundaries. I set boundaries for myself, my parenting capacity, and my work – and I no longer allow guilt to seep in because no one has the energy for that anymore! We need to stop thinking that multitasking is a superpower. Give 100% to the thing in front of you and then move to the next. I'd rather be a present mom for two hours a day and actually soak in the experience and time with my kids than spend four hours of it multitasking.
WM: Who has inspired you most throughout your journey?
AG: The women alongside me are my inspiration. The ones who are in the trenches figuring it out. We laugh together, we cry together. I don't know where I'd be without those shoulders that I lean on very hard when times get tough.
WM: What life hack has helped you the most throughout your career and motherhood?
AG: Prioritization and focus became superpowers for me when I became a mom. I don't spend time on things that don't move the needle. I measure everything on an impact-to-effort ratio. I use this at home as well. For example, laundry takes me four hours and has no impact on the quality of my day or life, so I have outsourced it. Like many parents, budget constraints can create roadblocks, so I can't outsource everything. But laundry took me the longest and felt the most daunting, so when I needed to decide - it was the first to go! This approach has drastically improved both my personal and professional life.
WM: How do your personal beliefs and experiences as a mother affect your business?
AG: I firmly believe everyone deserves a fair chance to succeed in this life. When I started a cannabis company, I also recognized that we had to address and give back to the communities that have been harmed by the same industry that we now benefit from. It's important to me that House of Wise partners with Last Prisoner Project, a non-profit on a mission to free every person incarcerated on marijuana charges. Our support and donations are earmarked for the children of incarcerated women and can be used any way that they need, such as for rent, groceries, school supplies, or utility bills. We will continue this fight until cannabis is federally legal and all of those in prison on cannabis-related charges are freed.
WM: You've already achieved so much success; what does the future hold for you and House of Wise?
AG: I want to remove stigmas and create a community of women who feel in control of their lives. Every time I get a message saying a woman finally got a good night's sleep, felt less stress, or even had their first G-spot orgasm, it keeps me motivated to push forward because I know we are making a positive impact on real lives. I just want to continue growing a brand with an impactful mission and empowered community.
To connect with Amanda Goetz, you can find her on Instagram @house_of_wise or @goetzam.
