Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Wickham.
Hi Amber, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story didn’t start the day I was diagnosed with Bipolar II disorder — it had been unfolding my entire life. For as long as I can remember, I lived with undiagnosed Bipolar II, anxiety, and ADHD. It wasn’t until I turned 25 that I finally received the diagnosis that put words to my experiences. Suddenly, the unbearable mood swings and countless unfinished projects made sense. That moment sparked a deep desire to better understand myself, my mental health, and the world around me.
Around that time, I leaned into practices like therapy and meditation, exploring the complex emotions I was experiencing and seeking out support from other women who could relate. Insert Dose of Goodness — an online space I felt was missing, dedicated to young women navigating the transition into adulthood: a society filled with stigma and expectation, all while balancing the realities of mental health. Sharing my story — and the stories of others — through the blog became a profound part of my healing journey. I also decided to switch my major from communication to psychology, wanting a deeper understanding of the relationship between the mind and behavior.
I’ve always been a creative person (cue middle school Amber attempting to start her own fashion brand between first and second period), but I often felt overwhelmed by the lack of transparency and relatability online. During the pandemic, I leaned into content creation and felt motivated to carve out a lane that fused what I was learning about psychology with my love for creativity. This led me to sign with a social media agency in 2023 and begin collaborating with purposeful brands.
Over the past two years, I realized there was a gap: a lack of genuine connection between brands and their audiences — more explicitly, a lack of transparency and emotional resonance. I saw an opportunity to change that. Along the way, the unconditional love and support from my husband and our two dogs became a grounding force — a reminder that even while chasing dreams and navigating my mental health that there was always a warm bowl of pho, an excited tail wag, and an “I’m proud of you” waiting for me.
Today, through my own brand, I focus on partnering with intentional brands in their growth stages, helping them build consumer-forward and mission-driven strategies rooted in storytelling, transparency, and emotional connection. I see social media as both a platform for building community and a space for inspiration and creativity. I’m passionate about thoughtfully blending psychology, breakthrough creativity, vulnerability, and transparency to support intentional creatives and brands. More than ever, I’m driven by the belief that marketing can be a powerful bridge to deeper human connection.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — but I’m grateful for every obstacle because it taught me something about resilience, self-trust, and patience. Managing Bipolar II, anxiety, and ADHD while trying to build a career has been one of my biggest challenges. There were seasons when simply showing up for myself, let alone my work, felt like a monumental task.
Beyond the personal challenges, entering the marketing and social media space without a traditional network or a “perfect” roadmap was intimidating. I often struggled with imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and the fear that my mental health would hold me back from pursuing the career I envisioned. There were moments when I doubted if I was “too sensitive” for an industry that often values numbers over people.
At the same time, working full-time while finishing my degree and building my brand required balancing ambition with grace. I had to learn how to advocate for my needs, create boundaries, and redefine success on my own terms. One of the biggest shifts for me was learning to value small, consistent steps over chasing big milestones. When I prioritize pouring into myself first — mentally, emotionally, and physically — I’m able to show up more fully for my family, my business, and the people I serve.
What I’ve learned is that obstacles aren’t signs to stop — they’re invitations to be kind to myself, to deepen. Every struggle gave me the tools to build resilience.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a freelance social media manager and creator for intentional brands. I help brands build consumer-forward, mission-driven strategies that prioritize connection over clicks and community over reach.
Right now, I’m in the first six months of building my brand (hello, imposter syndrome) so my focus isn’t on growing fast — it’s on growing intentionally. Since I have a deep passion for psychology, I’m in the research phase where I’m collecting data from brands and consumers regarding the gaps they feel in building loyalty and trust. Meanwhile, I’m building my client list thoughtfully, partnering with brands who are just as passionate about community and loyalty as they are about reach and revenue. In a world that often prioritizes clicks over connection, I believe in putting community over clicks, and resonance over reach.
What sets my work apart is my focus on using emotional intelligence, vulnerability, and psychology to drive creative strategy. I believe that marketing isn’t just about visibility — it’s about relatability. It’s about making people feel seen, understood, and valued. I work closely with brands to not just share what they do, but to communicate why they do it, using storytelling as a bridge between brand and consumer.
I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built — with brands, audiences, and the people I serve. I see every project as an opportunity to connect deeper, think bigger, and create spaces where transparency and creativity can coexist. At the core of everything I do is a deep belief that marketing should be a force for community, not just conversion.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Happiness, for me, is found in the little, ordinary moments that make life feel full. It’s my husband and our dogs — our small but mighty family that reminds me every day what unconditional love feels like. It’s our annual trips to Palm Springs with nothing on the agenda but natural wine, bonfires, and s’mores under the stars. It’s spending hours lost in a good fiction book (shoutout The Empyrean Series). It’s Sunday morning coffee in bed, slow and unrushed. It’s dancing and karaoke with my friends, where laughter fills the room and time feels like it stands still. It’s the long drive phone call with Mom. And it’s writing — having a space to process, reflect, and create from a place of honesty.
Happiness isn’t always the big milestones; it’s the rituals, the connections, and the spaces where I feel most myself. Those are the moments that ground me and remind me why I do what I do.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambernicolewickham?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ambernwickham?_t=ZP-8vrhmzfWtSA&_r=1
