Name: Amanda Bucci
Age: 23
Job Title and Description: Fitness YouTuber and Entrepreneur
College Name/Major: University of Rhode Island Bachelor of Science Nursing
Website: amandabuccifit.com
YouTube: Amanda Bucci
Twitter and Instagram Handle:@amandabuccifit
What does your current job entail? Is there such thing as a typical day?
Amanda Bucci: I create Youtube videos and use social media to market my brand and with that I created an income from sponsorships, the ebook I wrote “The Everything Guide to Macro Tracking”and my new podcast will be coming out soon as well. My goal is to continue to reach, educate and inspire more people to find their path in life and in fitness through different companies and avenues.
What is the best part of your job?
AB: I can work from home and work from anywhere. I am my own brand and everything I do is part of my job which is the coolest part. I also get to connect with people all over the world.
How did you get started on YouTube and in the professional fitness community?
AB: I started my YouTube a little over a year ago, primarily as a way to share my story. I was competing in bikini competitions and using Instagram to show people my prep and journey. I figured that Instagram captions weren’t the best way to get information out there. YouTube was a way more efficient way for me to explain things better. I didn’t realize it was something people did fulltime. Then I put more effort into it, started creating better content and putting out videos more consistently. I post every other day now and I try to keep my videos as informative as possible.
What is one thing you wish you knew about your industry when you first started out that you know now?
AB: I wish I knew that working for yourself is just as hard as working for someone else. You put in just as much time. I didn’t really know much about running a business and I didn’t realize how much work it was going to be but, it’s much more rewarding. It’s different because all the time and effort I put in for myself personally is how things grow and expand more quickly.
Who is one person who changed your professional life for the better?
AB: Last year I became friends with Leah who introduced me to Dom Mazzetti from "Bro Science." He seemed like a normal person but has a character on YouTube. Meeting him and seeing what a business person he was inspired me to take that direction and focus on YouTube.
What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?
AB: I’m continuously learning not to do things just for the purpose of getting followers. It’s easier to get wrapped up into wanting more followers because the main goal is to reach more people and help more people. It’s a constant back and forth struggle. The number of followers doesn’t matter as much as the people whose lives you are actively changing.
What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?
AB: When I met Lane Norton. He was the person I learned from early on and I really look up to this guy. I met him at the club during Olympia, on the one night everyone goes out after the expo is over. I couldn't find him during the expo and I thought that was super cool.
What do you look for when considering working with or hiring someone?
AB: I look for people who make sense with what I’m doing. I never like things to be inorganic. If it seems really forced I don’t try to force a new working relationship. Like who you are working with, if you don’t like working with people or for someone it creates a bad work environment.
What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?
AB: Think realistically. I hear someone saying ‘I want to do what you do, but I’m doing this job, how do you go from one job to the other’. I could say the cliche stuff which is lazy advice, but I say to be realistic. Set a plan of action and the steps you need to take to accomplish it. Set things you’re going to do today, in a week, in a month. Take what you want and break it down, even if that means putting yourself out there and asking questions. You can’t just wake up and quit your job to become a YouTuber.