Member Spotlight #15: Amanda Maxwell
Open Dance Floors Programmer at Boiler Room
Interview by: Tara Gardner
shesaid.so: Your career journey doesn’t follow the linear path that society usually likes to portray. Tell us about your path from a car dealership to working for Boiler Room!
Amanda Maxwell: I graduated university of Lincoln with a 2:1 degree and had my eyes set on London but after a string of big family heart breaks my mum was taken ill and so I went back to Norfolk to look after her and my sister for a couple of years. Once everything settled, I quit my day job at Volkswagen as a Service Advisor and headed for London. Without a job all I knew was I wanted to be in music events and management. My first job when I got to the city was handing out toothpaste at the Excel centre exhibition for dentistry and then moved on to an admin job at an Ice Sculpture factory.
After my what felt like my 100th round of teas and coffees a friend made the suggestion I apply to work at Vice through their internship programme and would put in a good word. At the time it wasn’t paid so meant getting a bar job if I got it which with a stroke of luck I did working in the operations team. Luckily for me Boiler Room were in the same office and saw how I worked. Thanks to our CBDO I was offered a role of office manager which transcended into PA, HR and accountant at one stage, but after 4 years I have moved forward and now look after our Open Dance Floors programming ensuring we are being representative and intersectional as possible.
ssso: Yours is a bit of a reinvention story. What would you tell someone that is looking to take that first step toward reinvention? How do they start? What should they consider?
AM: I would say do a mind map — grab a piece of paper and put yourself in the middle — from that, draw lines with dreams, goals and aspirations coming out of that circle. Then either put it up or put it away so the energy is out there! I think if something is not serving you well physically or mentally then think about the next steps — patience is key as transferring roles can be difficult. Always good to have something lined up so not to worry on making ends meet. Also great to be reading, following, going to panel talks and networking events, volunteering where possible — all helps and truly if you want something you have the power to make it happen there isn’t a formula, everybody is doing their best to reach their dreams so don’t compare yourself to others.
ssso: Is there a particular moment in your career where you felt the change happening that set you in the right direction?
AM: I think it was last year when I was invited to be part of the Urban Development panel at Excel centre and it dawned on me whilst on the panel I was right where I began 6 years ago on a stage I never thought I would be on.
ssso: What is something you wish you would have known before you started in the music industry?
AM: That I was going to have to dig deep and find strength within me I never thought possible.
ssso: What do you do to overcome such challenges? What strategies do you call on when you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed?
AM: I try to ground myself with fellow industry people to get their advice and then look at reducing where I’m at with workload or social activity. I also have an incredible and very supportive boyfriend who has a great way of helping me when overwhelmed.Also having amazing friends who provide a great reality check. I’m very lucky to have the support network I do but it’s also listening to yourself first it’s the most important relationship you can have.
ssso: What’s the most rewarding aspect of your artist management gig?
AM: Seeing my acts play out and embrace their talents. Everything we achieve feels like a win.
ssso: Share a piece of advice you were given that resonated with you.
AM: Recently somebody said, remember that both you and your time is precious and if somebody doesn’t respect that, then the relationship will not be a mutually beneficial one, rather one that is inevitably going to fall apart so choose wisely and don’t settle for less.
ssso: Who do you consider as a mentor in your life?
AM: All the women in my life, my partner and friends in their own ways but my actual mentor is Nell Jordan-Gent and she is a phenomenal woman that I have the pleasure of working with.
ssso: What makes Nell a great mentor?
AM: She is one of the most real and nicest human beings you will ever meet. There’s only ever good intention and good people like this are really hard to find — Nell Knows her shit and she’s worked with some of the biggest people in our music world and there’s no bravado or ego what you see is what you get and it’s only genuinely beautiful.
ssso: What lesson have you learned the hard way?
AM: If I don’t retain balance then everything suffers.
ssso: Where do you get your fuel/drive/inspiration from?
AM: My drive is from the obstacles I have encountered and wanting to prove I can do better. My inspiration is from all the women I have within my friendship/peer groups that I know well or admire from afar. Equally, a big source of inspiration and fuel is my Grandma who I was best friends with and sadly passed away — without her I don’t think I would be where I am or the person I am either.
ssso: 3 things you can’t live without —
AM: Friends, love and music.
ssso:What should we know about you or what you’re currently working on?
AM: Currently working on a programme for open dance floors at Boiler Room as well as managing a DJ and artist, plus also setting up a freelance community of women in London who regularly meet, lunch and connect as it can be a daunting process setting up by yourself but one I want to encourage to be fun and empowering :)
If anybody would like to join us from London, you can get in touch with Amanda via email at amandasademaxwell@gmail.com.
