Rising Stars: Meet Amanda Palasciano

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Palasciano. 

Hi Amanda, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m a professional writer with a background in books, screenplays, songs, PR, journalism, and in more recent years, advertising. The one book I ever needed as a resource in my life didn’t exist and that was one that could help me navigate a toxic and abusive intimate partner relationship. There was nothing out there. There was also no resources providing a hand-up to leave for someone who was not in a shelter-type of violence. Women sustaining emotional, psychological, and mental abuse, coercion and conditioning were stuck. I vowed to change that and be the answer. 

In 2021, I launched Don’t Stay Inc via DontStay.org and the blog All the Little Pink Flags which is now being considered for print publication. Don’t Stay procures funding to pay first month, last month, and security for a new and safe apartment for abused women. I have more applicants than I can help and I am currently in grant acquisition. I was able to re-home a young mom of two at Christmastime though so I feel a life has already been saved. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all. It’s surprising how much easier it is to start a for-profit business than a not-for-profit. Lots of tears and disappointment. I incorporated first in Florida and now need to get a foreign qualification to operate out of TN even though it’s a fully online/remote organization. Getting my 501c3 was also quite a journey that took a long time. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an author and by no means a psychologist that happened to study Narcissistic and other abuse for years so I can be a resource to women and provide what I didn’t have, in layman’s terms and understandable and relatable language. I want to earn the trust of a demographic who is finding it hard to even trust themselves after being gaslit for long periods of time. 

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
The not-for-profit world is very hard and it does fail a lot. It’s easy to just go in the red and come upside down because it’s hard to get donations. You just have to keep finding innovative ways to tell your story and be crystal clear on your purpose. And it really has to mean everything to you. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: Dontstay.org
• Instagram: NashvilleAmanda
• Other: www.authoramanda.com

Image Credits
Stephanie Ferris