The Trip That Changed My Life
In the very first episode of Her Layered Life, host Amanda Barker—mom of eight and founder of Halftee—shares the unexpected journey that brought her to podcasting and the powerful idea behind it: what happens when women choose to intentionally support women-owned businesses.
Amanda recounts a life-changing trip to Glacier with Female Founders Only, where she discovered the power of collaboration over competition. That experience sparked a question: if women are responsible for 80% of consumer spending—roughly $23 trillion a year—why are less than 2% of those dollars flowing to women-owned businesses?
Even small shifts can create massive impact. Redirecting just 3% more of our everyday purchases could generate nearly $700 billion in additional revenue for women entrepreneurs, their employees, and their communities. Amanda shares moving stories, from a business owner funding high school sports banquets to Halftee’s partnership with UCASA, showing how intentional spending ripples outward to strengthen families, schools, and entire neighborhoods.
This episode is both inspiring and practical, offering a simple challenge: redirect just one purchase this week—whether it’s coffee, skincare, or a backpack—toward a woman-owned business. Those small, intentional choices aren’t just transactions; they’re investments in dreams, opportunities, and thriving communities.