Inspiring Conversations with Amanda Stone of A&M Agency and Palmingo Pools

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

Hi Amanda, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I own two businesses that at face value, seem unrelated but ultimately boil down to the intersection of project management, hospitality, and outside the box thinking. A&M Agency helps companies foster deeper, more authentic connections between people and brands through events and high-touch marketing. Palmingo Pools make people even happier at home with small pools that they can enjoy year-round.

Growing up, my parents were small business owners in Oklahoma. Day after day, I saw firsthand how hard they worked, but I never took for granted that their work environment gave them the flexibility and freedom to support me for each game, performance, and moment – both big and small. I knew that by the time I had my own family, I wanted to be there for those moments and have the mobility to show up whenever they fell. This experience, paired with them encouraging me to think outside of the box and view the world through my own unique lens propelled me onto the path of owning a business.

I knew I wanted to start something of my own, but I hadn’t quite learned that I actually needed a fresh idea as the foundation for that. Fast forward to high school and the events industry popped into my mind. The idea was now taking shape! I sought as much experience as I could get my hands on throughout high school and college, and within a few months of graduating from Vanderbilt University and starting my first full-time job in events, I co-founded A&M Agency as an event management and production company in 2012. I don’t love norms or doing things the way they’re usually done, so the challenge of creating a business from scratch through trial and error without direct experience has also been a differentiator for our culture and style.

I set the goal of starting an events business and then over time, that goal evolved into rippling out beyond events to provide innovation and structure for our clients to explore other high-touch marketing challenges. The decision to extend our services was one part strategic, one part personally. I was looking for a fresh challenge and continuing to push the comfort zone of our team! This 2019 decision made a huge impact on our readiness for the curveball that was coming at all of us – the pandemic. Our growth-minded culture and innate adaptability enabled us to not only remain relevant as a primarily events company during COVID-19 but it created a trampoline effect of growth. The experience unlocked more diverse projects and client bases, and we were working with more international brands like Mars Wrigley, Goody’s, and the United Nations on fresh projects using remote collaboration tools. Before the end of Q1, our 2021 had already surpassed our pre-pandemic 2019 contracted business.

Call me crazy, but keeping an open, nimble mind created extra space for fresh ideas above and beyond A&M Agency. While growing the agency through the pandemic, I translated my background in operations and hospitality over to the construction industry and launched a second business, Palmingo Pools. Palmingo Pools revolves around pre-fabricated pools that are shipped from supplier warehouses on a flatbed truck, then lowered into place by a crane in one day. The small pools are more cost-effective, quicker to install, and more energy-efficient to heat in the cooler months. While I set out to be a small business owner, I was evolving into a true entrepreneur – creating a space in the market that didn’t yet exist, then somersaulting into it!

I gave myself the green light to go for it when I decided that I was more afraid of not trying and wondering “what if” than trying and flopping. I let go of any fear of embarrassment and leaned into vulnerability and blindspots. Worst case, it would be a wild experience on my life resume and a good story. Best case, I’d continue to evolve, grow, and expand my comfort zone. By the end of Q2, I’ve already exceeded my year-one goal and am working towards scaling and spreading Palmingo. Most importantly, I’m still excited, energized, and pushed each day!

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?
The road hasn’t been smooth, but an open, nimble mind and unshakeable optimism serve as hydraulics that makes the ride less jarring! Most struggles boil down to navigating uncharted territory. Many people make assumptions or shy away from the unknown. I work to maintain the mindset that a new challenge is only new once, and after that, it’s another bucket of experience that I can draw from in the future. I intentionally expose and lean into blindspots so that I can fill them in instead of attempting to sidestep them.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
A&M Agency helps companies foster deeper, more authentic connections between people and brands through events and high-touch marketing. Our team members deploy both sides of our brains to deliver both structure and direction as well as fresh concepts and innovation for projects and campaigns. Our projects disrupt the day-to-day routine and stand out in the memories of our clients and their customers. Leading up to the campaigns, we guide clients through planning and production for events, content, and brand activations through a more efficient process that optimizes strengths-based roles. While much of the attention is on the end result, we’re most proud of our collaborative nature throughout the process that engages all stakeholders, from our clients and their customers to each and every person who touches the project in a big or small way. Our people-centered values propel our mission and projects forward as we turn minutes into moments that elevate the life experience for all.

Palmingo Pools helps people be even happier at home with a pool that they can enjoy year-round. Our projects revolve around small pools that are prefabricated in suppliers’ warehouses, shipped on a flatbed truck, then lowered into place by a crane in a single day. Our products and enhancements give homeowners the backyard they’ve always wanted in half the time and for half the cost while increasing enjoyment from one season to year-round. With Palmingo, homeowners can also expect a new, higher standard for pricing transparency, communication, and humanity.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
My top resources are the people around me, from my husband and parents to the network of entrepreneurs and business-minded friends. Being open to two-way sharing of experiences, perspectives, and ideas has been the greatest resource. The most recent books I’ve read are “Living with the Monks” by Jesse Itzler, “The Art of Happiness” by the Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler, and “Lunch with Lucy” by Sherry Deutschmann. For podcasts, I’ll often become captivated by entrepreneurs and leaders who I hunt down across multiple podcasts and media. While I love listening to stories about business experiences, I also absolutely embrace guilty pleasures like reality TV and true crime content!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.amagency.co // www.palmingopools.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandastonechats/

Image Credits
Headshot – Jessica Amerson AM Agency 1 – Nathan Zucker AM Agency 2 – Tiffany Kokal Palmingo 1 & 2 – Not Needed