RTDM: Amanda Sapp
Amanda Sapp
Owner, Sapp Law Office
Carmel, Indiana
We want to get to know you! Briefly tell us about yourself: Where you came from, where you've been and how you live your dream (or are working toward it).
I was born and raised in the Indianapolis area and received my Bachelors in Nursing at Indiana State University. After graduating, I pursued a career as a pediatric/PICU/NICU nurse in a level 1 trauma center in downtown Indianapolis. It was an incredible job and I loved helping nursing these sweet kids back to health! Two years after graduating from nursing school, and with the nursing shortage being at an all time high partly due to there being a lack of professors to teach, I began pursuing my Master's degree in nursing education to help teach and develop the new nurses that would be soon caring for people when they are sick and most vulnerable. My passion for nursing really ignited when I realized that there were not enough nurses in our political arena and it inspired me to be "a good guy" and crusade for nursing rights. One year in to pursuing my nursing Master's degree I simultaneously began law school, all while still working as a nurse at the hospital- I just couldn't give up the job I most enjoyed :). Life was busy but I thrived on the challenge of making all of my passions work together. While in law school I started an internship doing assisted reproduction law and immediately fell in love, despite my original intent to become involved in fighting for nursing rights. Assisted reproduction law involves the legal aspects surrounding surrogacy, egg donation, sperm donation, and embryo donation. This was the perfect blend of law, medicine, and babies-- it gave me all the feels! Similar to nursing, these families were at their most broken and vulnerable and hanging on to a little hope that things would get better. After having a baby, I began my own law firm where I continued to practice assisted reproduction law. However, just doing the legal aspects of helping them build their families wasn't fulfilling all of my needs to make a great impact on the lives of my clients so I decided I would simultaneously open a surrogacy agency that would help guide these families through their entire journey to parenthood when they use a gestational surrogate (or more commonly referred to as "gestational carrier"). The surrogacy agency has allowed me to be involved and really see these families develop from the very beginning of their journey to the very end when they finally get to hold the baby in their arms for the first time. There is no greater joy than seeing that moment.
How do you define success and how do you stay motivated to keep working toward it?
Some people define wealth as success. I define success as knowledge, overcoming obstacles, and happiness. If I'm happy doing what I love then I am rich enough on that feeling. I love to learn about new things. The insatiable quest for knowledge is what keeps me motivated to do better, be better, and have colleagues that look to my opinion as valuable.
What’s been your biggest challenge, perceived failure or fear and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge is finding that work-life balance that so many of us struggle finding as working parents. I love being a mom and I would love to spend all of my time with my children and husband. But I also love giving others that same opportunity to have a family. It is an internal struggle but one that is a win-win for me.
What’s the best advice you’d give to a younger you?
Follow your intuition and choose to do something that makes you happy. Work hard and push through the difficult times. Obstacles will present themselves but pushing through them will make you better!
Share a book, quote and/or idea that's impacted you the most:
I would say the quote that has inspired me the most was said by my dad. "The two most important things in life: your reputation and education. You can never take back your reputation or impressions you have made on people and you can never be over-educated. Work hard and don't be a quitter."
What are you most proud of? Go ahead, boast a little!
My children. They are the greatest things I have accomplished in this life. They are absolute perfection!
What is something surprising about you?
I hate wearing suits and dress up clothing. I would live in cozy clothes all day if it were socially acceptable.
What is your favorite vice/guilty pleasure/strange habit? Come on now, we all have them!
Chocolate :) Anything chocolate is my vice!
Share a time when a perceived failure was actually a blessing in disguise.
I didn't pass the bar exam the first time I took it. I was 8 months pregnant with my first baby and was still working my two jobs, had just bought a house, and was so exhausted and uncomfortable while having contractions through then entire 8 hour exam! I think it is a blessing because it reminded me that I needed to slow down a little bit and focus on my new baby for a while. It was wonderful and I took the bar again a few months later and passed.
What's the smartest investment you’ve made for yourself?
My education and the investment in my marriage. Marriage is hard work but it is something that you have to constantly invest in to make it successful and enjoyable.
What’s MOST important to you right now?
Family, always!
Who Inspires You?
Who is the Risk Taker Dream Maker(s) that inspires you? Why?
I wouldn't say one single person inspires me. I had several people along the way that influenced me to keep pushing through and be better. I took a little bit from each of them but I would say that I have been mostly inspired by my father. He lived an honest life and always did the right thing. He was a wonderful and well respected man in the community. He was a trooper/detective for the Indiana State Police for 25 years and taught me to give back to my community.
Follow Amanda:
https://www.facebook.com/Storksnestagency/
https://www.facebook.com/sapplawoffice/
@storksagency
@surrogacylaw_indiana
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandadsapp/
