The Crossroads: Redefining Her Role in Social Work
Amy had spent years working as a hospital social worker. As a full-time case manager, she was grateful for the experience—but also ready for something different.
“I was craving bigger-picture work—program design, project management, systems change. Especially in spaces that support holistic health like movement, nutrition, and well-being.”
She knew she was ready to leave the clinical, direct-practice side of things. So, she went per diem and gave herself room to explore. She wasn’t in a rush—but then she found out she was pregnant.
“That shifted everything.”
Amy decided she wanted to be home with her daughter for the first six months. And with that, any plans to launch into a new job got put on hold.
After her daughter started daycare, she returned to her per diem role at the hospital. But something had changed.
“I had been following social workers online who were building businesses—doing values-driven work on their own terms. And something in me lit up. I realized I didn’t have to squeeze myself into a job description that didn’t fit. I could create something of my own.”
With the support of her husband and family, Amy made the leap.
The Challenges: Leaps of Faith & Letting Go of Permission
“This journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s felt right.”
Amy recently launched two businesses: a small private therapy practice, and Waves of Becoming—a coaching and consulting practice that supports individuals through life transitions and helps mission-driven organizations foster deeper community and connection.
But building something new came with its own set of hurdles.
On self-doubt:
“I had to navigate so much imposter syndrome. When you’re used to working within systems, it’s scary to step outside of them. There’s no one telling you you’re doing a good job—you have to figure that out for yourself.”
On finances:
“My husband and I dipped into savings we’d set aside for the future. That wasn’t easy. But it felt necessary. We were investing in the kind of life we wanted to create—for us, and for our daughter.”
On the balancing act:
“There are a lot of early mornings, late nights, and messy in-betweens. I’m building this while also being a mom and partner. But I keep coming back to my ‘why.’ That’s what keeps me grounded.”
What She’d Tell Her Past Self
“If I could go back, I’d tell myself:
You don’t have to wait for permission.
You’re allowed to try. You don’t need all the answers. And the leap doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to be yours.”
What Helped: Mentors, Moms & a Support System
“One of the biggest sources of strength was finding other social work entrepreneurs. People who understood both the values I held and the fears I was carrying.”
Talking to other moms building their own thing also helped. “It reminded me I wasn’t alone. That there were others trying to do meaningful, flexible, family-centered work, too.”
Her family was her anchor.
“My husband’s support gave me the confidence to keep going. Even when I wasn’t sure, he believed in me.”
Advice to Other Parents
“Lean into your support system. You don’t have to do this alone—and honestly, you shouldn’t.”
Amy says to get clear on your values early on:
“Ask yourself: What kind of life do I actually want? Not just as a business owner, but as a parent, a partner, a person. Then be willing to make some short-term sacrifices for that long-term vision.”
“It’s not easy—but if it’s aligned with what matters to you, it’s worth it.”
Amy’s Both& Moment
Amy’s story reminds us that we don’t have to wait for a job description to define what we’re capable of.
She’s created a life that includes both entrepreneurship and motherhood.
She’s found both purpose and presence.
She’s embracing both uncertainty and clarity—knowing it doesn’t have to be perfect to be the right path.
Why This Story Matters for Readers of Both&
- Pushes back on the idea that we need permission to pivot
- Shows how building a business can be about alignment, not escape
- Acknowledges the real emotional and financial costs of shifting paths
- Offers a hopeful, grounded view of what it means to build something from scratch
Connect with Amy
Want to reach out or follow her journey? Amy invites you to connect with her on LInkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-gordon-lcsw
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