Amanda Lewan built Bamboo from a borrowed $5,000 and a 2,000 square foot space into a statewide innovation network spanning 215,000 square feet — and spent years quietly wondering if she deserved to call herself a CEO. In this episode, Amanda opens up about the imposter syndrome hiding behind every bold move: launching a second location six months before COVID shut the world down, growing a company while raising two toddlers, and learning that confidence isn't a prerequisite — it's a byproduct. If you've ever talked yourself out of a title you already earned, this one's for you.
She Started With IKEA Furniture and a $5,000 Loan
In this episode, Amanda Lewan, co-founder and CEO of Bamboo, shares her journey of transforming a small co-working space into a statewide innovation network in Michigan. She discusses the challenges, mindset shifts, and community-driven approach that fueled her success, offering valuable insights for entrepreneurs and community builders.
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Timestamps:
02:26 - “I felt like I was making up my job” — Amanda on feeling unqualified as a CEO
08:07 - IKEA furniture, a $5,000 loan, and a dream: how Bamboo actually started
09:14 - Opening a second location six months before the world shut down
13:11 - Why having a purpose beyond profit is what kept her going
23:47 - On being a mom of two, CEO of five, and still feeling like a fraud some days
29:47 - Her one piece of advice: you just have to get started
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