Amanda Whitmer

As I hit the transformative phase of becoming a mother, I found myself at a crossroads, unsure of which professional direction to take. During this time, I owe so much of my clarity and ambition to my father, Dr. Scott Langford.

While many know him as the Director of Schools for Sumner County, he has also become a prominent national voice in the AI community. Watching him lead the charge in implementing generative AI within classrooms—advocating for its power to close literacy gaps and prepare students for a rapidly changing world—was incredibly inspiring. He didn’t just encourage me; he pushed me to dive deep into the technology myself.

Through his mentorship, I began to see how the same AI tools revolutionizing education were also fundamentally shifting the landscapes of sales and marketing. He helped me realize that my background in education, combined with a forward-thinking approach to AI, wasn't a pivot away from my roots, but a leap toward the future. His belief in me was the catalyst I needed to jump back into the corporate world with confidence, allowing me to bring a tech-forward, consultative edge to my work at VistaPrint Corporate Solutions.

I’ve learned that as difficult as the job search can be—and as much as you worry about simply finding a landing spot—it is far more important to focus on a career that fulfills your life rather than one that demands you sell your life to it.

There is, of course, a natural 'grind' that comes with a career in sales; it requires discipline, persistence, and energy. However, I’ve found that the grind feels entirely different when you are backed by the right environment. Being able to work for a company that supports my personal well-being while simultaneously pushing me to grow professionally has been incredibly fulfilling. Especially as the mother of a young daughter, finding that alignment hasn't just made me a better professional—it’s made me more present in every area of my life.

I’m not just working for a commission check; I’m working within a culture that values the person behind the performance.

The biggest challenge in this role is balancing the emotional and mental demands of wearing so many hats. Sales, marketing, and technology are in a constant state of flux, and trying to stay ahead of that curve can be exhausting if you don’t have a system. I’ve found that the only way to thrive is to be extremely organized and disciplined with my structure.

I’ve made it a priority to implement AI into my organizational strategies, and for me, the motto 'work smarter, not harder' isn't just a cliché—it’s a survival tactic. When you’re juggling a dozen different responsibilities, you have to find ways to be efficient. By using AI to take those tedious, repetitive tasks off my plate, I’ve been able to reclaim my time and energy. This shift has allowed me to focus on what I actually love: the real, human interactions with my customers.

Instead of spending my entire day lost in the background sending emails and managing data, I’m able to be present and find genuine joy in the relationships I’m building.

When I think about the legacy I want to leave for my daughter, it’s not just about professional titles or achievements—it’s about the spirit we bring to our work. I want her to see that no matter what we are putting our time into, we have a responsibility to bring joy, kindness, and happiness to the people around us.

Life inevitably brings seasons where we have to work hard or tackle tasks that don't feel particularly inspired, but I believe our attitude remains our greatest choice. Even on the difficult days, I strive to keep a smile on my face and focus on uplifting my colleagues and my clients. My goal is to show her that true success isn't just about what you do, but about how you make people feel. If I can leave every interaction better than I found it, then I’m teaching her the most important lesson I know: that kindness is the most powerful tool we have, both in business and in life.