Amilya Antonetti

Amilya is a bestselling author, an entrepreneur, a teacher, the founder of SoapWorks and Lucky Napkins, and the president and CEO of AMA Productions.

If today were my last day on Earth and I could share 500 words of brilliance with the world, here are the important things I'd want to pass along to others...

My life has brought me many blessings including the gifts of being a mom, a business owner, partner, friend and active member of my communities. Being a successful, female serial entrepreneur has allowed me a unique opportunity to make an impact on the lives of many and in a variety of ways. I consider this one of my greatest honors and treat it with great respect.

I do not take being a role model lightly. When asked what I have learned thus far, I share what I have learned but also what I am learning "along the way". I always try to stay "dialed-in", stretch myself to learn and grow, never staying complacent while always looking for new ways to do and serve more. The team I surround myself with also forces me further than sometimes even I can see. Every day I gain more clarity on those "life thoughts" that show themselves to me.

Founding Amilya's Soapworks, 13 years ago, and bringing human and earth friendly cleaning products to mainstream America grocery isles while educating consumers about making healthier choices, before "green" became a household word, was a long, hard and daunting journey. Happily, today most consumers have incorporated "better choices" and "being green" in some way in their lives allowing me to feel a sense of success that my mission was heard. It also taught me many life-lessons along the way that have impacted my life:

1) I was asking all the right questions to all the wrong people. This was a true "ah ha" moment that led me to radically change who I spoke to and how I gathered information when making critical decision in my business and personal life.

2) Just because you can doesn't mean you should. During my entrepreneurial journeys and when selling Amilya's Soapworks, I witnessed interesting choices and actions taken by others with "power". This caused me to take a serious look at what one can do verses what one should do. Observing some very bad behavior of others forced me to learn how to put perimeters around myself and my team. My purpose is to make sure that our decisions and choices are made for the greater good of all and not out of any emotional or "keeping score" war that can easily distract people from achieving their goals.

3) When someone gets it "right", tell them. In a world that seems to give more attention to mistakes, negativity and bad news- being the barer of a positive message can get powerful results. Years ago I made the choice to start acknowledging and noticing the good, the great and the daring. The reaction by those recognized always makes me smile; and it may seem nothing to you but can be huge to the other person. If the outfit looks amazing on someone, compliment them. If someone offers a unique thought, support their cleverness and out of the box "dare-to-share."

I am now living the life that I believe is my purpose: keynote speaking, hosting Amilya's Mind to Market and holding Broken Cookie workshops with the hope that my experience may illuminate the pathway for others.