Meet Amy Vaughan | Owner & Chief Empowerment Officer of Together Digital

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amy Vaughan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amy, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Not many people can say this but the chance to run and own my own business happened while walking down a hallway at a Together Digital National Conference. Before I became the Owner & Chief Empowerment Officer of Together Digital, I was actually a member and long-standing volunteer. I’d been working in agencies as a digital creative director for about 14 years when the founder of Together Digital (then Women in Digital) found me on LinkedIn and encouraged me to join and become the Board President for Cincinnati.

I quickly learned that the power of sisterhood and community is what I was missing in my working-mom-aholic life. And that having time and space for myself to grow both professionally and personally with like-minded and inclusive women who wanted to collaborate vs. compete was sort of everything I was missing in my life.

After years of service and love for the group, I was asked by the founder to step in as the CEO (while she, under the encouragement of a member, left to run for Congress.). After a year, I became a partner, then by the next year, I was able to buy our the founder and continue the mission and vision I’ve worked hard to help preserve and protect throughout the pandemic. Which for a community and events-based business was no easy feat.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our Together Digital community is truly unlike any other. It is not exclusive, it is inclusive. We strive to create a safe place for women to show up authenticity in every conversation online or offline in a way that is both honoring and respectful to others. We welcome women at any level, with any title, or background–knowing that we all have something to learn from one another. The digital field is rapidly evolving, and our peer-to-peer approach to learning and development has led to amazing outcomes for our members.

One of the things I am most proud of is that against all odds, we’ve made it this far. While our world was literally being turned upside down we worked hard hard to shift a lot of what the business was (which pre-COVID was a booming event-based business), and create a firm operational foundation that is focused on the membership experience.

Doing this has allowed us to make a lot of changes while not taking away from but actually adding to the membership experience all while running on a quarter of the revenue we were before. Now, we’re looking to get back to growth and scale, and I know this time the boom will be intentional so that hopefully, our mission and vision can survive any storm.

I know our small mission-based social-good business is not the only one to have suffered, but with suffering comes strength and resolve in knowing who you are, what you are, and who you are meant to serve.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Selfishly, I would spend as much time outside with them as possible and leave where to eat and drink to them based on their personal preference, since the city had so many amazing options. We’ll just do it all in the great out of doors.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shout-out goes to my community of fierce, supportive, and understanding Together Digital sisters and friends. For all the times I struggled to believe, to keep pushing, and not doubt myself they showed up for me in so many ways. With candor, care, and advice. Their achievements and support of one another keep me going every day. Before and after leading the community they have been my constant for all things work and life and I feel so honored to have the chance to be with them in person and virtually. Before this community, I could maybe list one or two women but now, I could list 20 or 30 at least. I also cannot go without acknowledging my wonderful partner. His patience, encouragement, and belief in me taking some big and scary leaps over the last few years have been nothing short of amazing. He truly is one of the smartest, kindest, and wisest people I have ever met in my life, and I am so lucky to share this wild ride called life with him.

Website: www.togetherindigital.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/togetherindigital/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/togetherdigital/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/togetherdigital?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/togetherindigital/

Other: We are hosting our West Summit in Denver later this month, on September 29th at the Commons. You can learn more here: https://www.togetherindigital.com/2022summitwest/