Meet Amanda Pond, Fractional CMO and the Founder and CEO of MOD Consulting, a firm delivering tailored growth marketing, e-commerce, and branding solutions on demand.
Amanda’s entrepreneurial journey began with a strong foundation in business and marketing, launching her into a career in the beauty industry, where she led strategic projects for some of the world’s top brands. Despite her success, Amanda found corporate life stifling. She craved the freedom to create her own vision. As a result, she made the bold decision to launch MOD Consulting. Today, her firm has become a go-to partner for startups, known for its innovative approach and ability to adapt quickly to market demands.
We asked Amanda about her transition from corporate to entrepreneurial life, the leadership lessons she’s developed along the way, and what she’s learned about building a support network around herself.
Tell us the story behind your company’s founding. How and why did you start working on MOD Consulting?
It all began when I moved to Denver, Colorado. After living and working in Manhattan for seven years, it was time to leave my East Village neighborhood and swap my heels for hiking boots. I was nervous. The thought of starting somewhere completely new and so different from my life in the city with so many unknowns seemed overwhelming. But I packed my bags and was determined to make Denver work for me.
I thought that I would have no issues finding a job quickly. I soon realized that this wouldn’t be the case, as the job market here is just so small in comparison to that of New York City’s. Starting my own consulting company was something I’d always wanted to do long-term—it was my ultimate end goal. However, I’d put it on the back burner. After a long and grueling job search in Denver, one day I just realized I’d had enough. I said to myself, “Why not now?” Sitting in a café in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood, which I now call home, I quickly wrote down all the steps I’d need to take to make this dream come true. I set off each week accomplishing them one by one.
There are so many startups out there that need help with their marketing and branding strategy but don’t have the funding to hire a full-time marketing team with benefits. I saw an opportunity to create my own marketing consulting startup, catering to other startups that needed some extra help with their efforts. Within my first month of starting this new venture, I got my first client. I’ve found the work so rewarding and feel more accomplished than I ever have in any of my corporate positions. I feel confident that becoming an entrepreneur was the right choice for me. I’m so happy that my path has led me here.
My company just celebrated its fifth anniversary, which is so hard to believe. Working as a Fractional CMO and growth marketing consultant has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I’m so grateful that life pushed me into stepping out of my comfort zone to take such a big leap of faith. I have had the pleasure of working alongside founders and CEOs from over 30 brands, helping them grow and scale their businesses by implementing a 360-marketing strategy that delivers results. With almost 15 years of beauty industry experience, I bring a unique perspective and a deep wealth of industry knowledge to my strategy and approach.
In what ways has your upbringing or past experiences contributed to how you operate as an entrepreneur?
As a child, my parents always instilled in me a deep work ethic. It started with school, then led to part-time summer jobs, and so on. With anything that we did, they wanted us to take it seriously, do our best, and understand that what you put into this world is what you get out of it. There was always a lot of pressure to be “perfect,” get straight As, go to the best university, and land the dream job.
Naturally, I became a perfectionist—extremely Type A, diligent, and hardworking. In any role I took on, whether as a student or employee, I often found myself as a natural-born leader, open communicator, and someone who was extremely organized and meticulous. When I entered the real world and began working in corporate environments, many of these characteristics and qualities translated seamlessly. Although I had a very successful career as a marketing executive in the beauty industry in Manhattan, I longed for flexibility and freedom. I saw my dad start a very successful business on his own and eventually began dreaming about doing the same. Years later, I set out to do just that.
Have you ever felt like you’re “different”? If yes, in what ways has this contributed to your journey as an entrepreneur?
Yes, I’ve always felt like an outsider, even within my own family. I think this instilled a habit of independence, advocating for myself, and learning to navigate life on my own terms. Growing up, I was naturally curious, always wanting to learn everything I could, absorbing knowledge like a sponge. Ultimately, it made me very independent and, with time, gave me a confidence and self-awareness that has helped guide me every step of the way on my journey of entrepreneurship. Being an entrepreneur takes grit and resilience, both of which I learned from a young age.
Did you always know that you wanted to be an entrepreneur?
After graduating from university, I honestly didn’t even really know that entrepreneurship was an option. I didn’t have the slightest clue how to go about starting a business. After years of grinding in New York City, working long hours for little pay, feeling undervalued and unappreciated, and being pigeonholed into roles that limited my capacity to truly make a difference, the path to entrepreneurship started looking like a light at the end of a very long, exhausting tunnel.
"Entrepreneurship is like riding a roller coaster you didn’t necessarily know you were on, but it’s the most rewarding job you can have."
What’s one thing you wish you had known before starting MOD Consulting?
How lonely and isolating it can be. I don’t have many friends who have taken this path, so finding a community of other entrepreneurs has been crucial.
What’s been the most unexpected part of your entrepreneurial journey?
How I was able to grow and scale without employees. I’ve been building multiple revenue streams to ensure I’m not always trading time for money and can sustain myself with residual income during periods when client work is slow.
What are the biggest mistakes you’ve made?
Not hiring a solid accountant and bookkeeper when I first started out and not using my own contract with my first couple of clients. When starting your own business, you have to ensure your finances are in order and that you’re doing everything by the book. With contracts, it’s best to use your own. Ensure you’re protecting yourself. You just never know when things could turn ugly.
Have you struggled with self-doubt as an entrepreneur? How do you navigate this?
Yes. I constantly second-guess myself, feel imposter syndrome, and suffer from self-doubt. For me, the best way to cope with this is to lean on my community and to ensure I’m taking care of myself. It’s so important to find a balance and do the things that make you happy outside of work so you can handle whatever life throws at you with ease and grace.
Have you felt like giving up? What made you persist?
Yes. The roller coaster ride of entrepreneurship definitely takes its toll and wears you down from time to time. I persist because I know deep down that this is the best path for me and I’m doing exactly what I was meant to do. I truly love the work, freedom, and flexibility so much that even when the going gets tough, I know it’s worth it to keep pushing forward and not give up.
We dare you to brag. What achievements are you most proud of?
First and foremost, I’m most proud of believing in myself and never giving up. The achievement I’m most proud of is scaling 20x in five years without employees.
Has your definition of success evolved throughout your journey as a founder?
It has. I put a lot more emphasis on my overall well-being than I used to. When I first started out, I was really chasing certain goals. Once I achieved them, I’d make new ones to chase. I realized as the years went by just how important work-life balance and mental and emotional well-being are. Ultimately, if I’m not taking care of myself or feeling my best, then I can’t provide the level of service my clients deserve. I’ve learned to really vet and find the right clients and projects that I know will allow me to still have a healthy work-life balance. To me, this feels like a new level of success.
What resources or people have contributed the most to your successes?
Google and myself. You can learn and digest so much knowledge. If I don’t know something or I’m unsure or hesitant, I look it up. Chances are I can find a tutorial or article to help me solve the problem.
When I started my business at 29, I felt as though people were loosely supportive, but mostly skeptical. There were a lot of “good luck” or “she’ll never make it” type attitudes. I’m fortunate to say now that I can prove every one of those doubters wrong!
How do you celebrate successes along the way?
Traveling. It’s so important to get away and experience life outside the work-from-home office.
How have you grown as a leader since starting MOD Consulting? What experiences have contributed to this growth?
Have you discovered any underappreciated leadership traits or misconceptions around leadership?
Actively listening and learning to ask your team questions are two interpersonal skills I’ve incorporated more of in order to better serve and lead the teams that work for me. I believe these traits are highly underappreciated and taken for granted. When you are engaging your team, you’re making them feel as though their opinion matters and that they are helping in the decision-making process as opposed to just directing them and telling them what to do. This helps to build trust and rapport.
What have you learned about building a team and a support network around yourself?
It really does take a village. I’m so grateful for my support system of family, friends, my boyfriend, and colleagues who are also freelance contractors. Some days are really tough, and I feel incredibly lucky to have people to call, cheer me up, and push me to keep going.
What would you tell your younger self if you were to start your entrepreneurial journey all over again?
No matter how high the highs are and how low the lows are, just keep going. The journey is and will be worth it in the end.
How would you describe the journey you’ve had in a few sentences? Would you do it all over again?
It’s been a wild ride. I often say entrepreneurship is like riding a roller coaster you didn’t necessarily know you were on. However, in the end, it’s the most rewarding job you can have. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I would never go back to working for someone else or working in a corporation. You can’t put a price tag on freedom and flexibility.
