By the time Amanda Miceli was preparing to graduate from high school, she thought her future plans were set.
She had her sights set on a four-year university, imagined leaving Wisconsin to pursue an English degree, and envisioned a career as a book editor.
But the summer before college, Miceli started questioning herself: is this really what she wanted to do, and why leave the state and take on decades of debt?
鈥淚 remember realizing I didn鈥檛 need to have everything figured out yet,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 just needed a strong foundation and the freedom to grow from there.鈥�
Her sister, a 2019 graduate of 冈本视频鈥檚 Human Resources program, encouraged her to attend 冈本视频. About a month before college was set to begin, Miceli enrolled in 冈本视频鈥檚 Business Management associate degree program.
鈥淚t was the best decision that I could have ever made,鈥� she said.
While Miceli鈥檚 coursework gave her a strong professional foundation, some of her most impactful growth happened outside the classroom.
Joining 冈本视频鈥檚 chapter of DECA, a student organization focused on business, marketing, and management development, during her first year at 冈本视频 challenged her to stretch beyond her professional and personal comfort zones. Through competitions, collaboration, and leadership experiences, she learned how to show up confidently in professional spaces.
鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 just about skills,鈥� Miceli said. 鈥淚t was about stepping into a new version of myself.鈥�
That confidence carried her forward through online coursework during COVID, into post-graduation freelancing, and eventually into entrepreneurship.
After graduating from 冈本视频 in 2021, Miceli moved to Florida where she began freelancing in marketing while working in the service industry.
She knew she wanted a business of her own, so she created her own clothing brand. Miceli had the vision, the branding, and even her first line of clothing ready for production, but then she paused.
鈥淚 realized I wasn鈥檛 following my own advice to clients,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was helping other people clarify their brand and direction, but I hadn鈥檛 done that work fully for myself.鈥�
Instead of forcing a business that didn鈥檛 quite fit her life, Miceli pivoted 鈥� leading her to create The BOLD Marketing Agency.
The BOLD Marketing Agency supports organizations and brand leaders to evolve through authentic personal and company branding, as well as intentional gatherings.
As Miceli moved back to Green Bay and continued working with clients, she saw a growing need 鈥� not just for branding, but for spaces where people could connect, reflect, and show up authentically. From there, the BOLD brand naturally expanded into subcategories and Miceli鈥檚 personal brand:
Camanda in Cheif began as a typo. After Miceli created her Instagram username, @camandaincheif, a friend later pointed out the misspelling. She could have changed it, but instead she chose to keep it. The mistake became a reflection of Miceli鈥檚 authentic self and a symbol of the work she does every day, supporting others in showing up as who they truly are.
Miceli鈥檚 work continued to grow, and so did its impact on the Greater Green Bay community. Through her businesses, she wasn鈥檛 just building brands: she was creating opportunities for connection, collaboration, and leadership.
That commitment was recognized when she was named a finalist and the winner of the Greater Green Bay Chamber鈥檚 2026 , an award that celebrates a local entrepreneur (aged 21-40) whose work creates positive community impact beyond financial success.
Amanda Miceli holds her Young Entrepreneur of the Year award at the Greater Green Bay Chamber鈥檚 2026 Future 15 and Young Professionals Awards. Photo credit: Greater Green Bay Chamber
鈥淏eing nominated and receiving this award felt like absolute alignment and gratitude,鈥� Miceli said. 鈥淚t affirms why I keep going, even when things are hard 鈥� because I鈥檓 truly making a difference. I鈥檓 impacting lives, growing our community, and supporting so many people. And that appreciation goes both ways.鈥�
In 2025, Miceli navigated the most challenging year of her entrepreneurial career. She was confronted with some of the harsh realities of entrepreneurship and owning a business.
鈥淭here were moments I was brought to my knees,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 felt stuck, overwhelmed, and unsure of what the next step was, but I never lost sight of the vision.鈥�
One of the most difficult decisions she made for The BOLD Marketing Agency was to stop offering its largest revenue-generating service: social media management.
鈥淲e were good at it,鈥� Miceli explained. 鈥淏ut it wasn鈥檛 our superpower. Branding was, and we had to come back to what we do best.鈥�
Making that shift meant navigating financial uncertainty and restructuring.
During that time, Miceli leaned on trusted guidance, including her mentor Jerry Lintz, 冈本视频 Entrepreneurship and Hospitality Management instructor, who helped ground her through the hardest moments.
鈥淗e reminded me, 鈥楾his is normal. This is business ownership. You鈥檙e not doing anything wrong, and you鈥檙e not alone,鈥欌�� she said.
From left to right, Amanda Miceli, her mentor and 冈本视频 instructor, Jerry Lintz, and her sister, Alison.
With guidance, support, and persistence, Amanda worked through what she now describes as 鈥渢he most challenging 鈥� and most beautiful 鈥� mountain鈥� she鈥檚 climbed so far.
As someone who has built both a business and a community, Miceli believes success is measured by more than individual achievement.
鈥淲hat matters most is how your work impacts the people around you,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat starts with knowing who you are and what you care about.鈥�
She encourages students to seek out learning experiences that are practical, supportive, and connected to the real world, and education that prepares them not just for a first job, but for long-term growth.
鈥湼员臼悠� was that for me,鈥� Miceli said. 鈥淚t gave me the foundation to build something that now supports others.鈥�
Explore 冈本视频’s College of Business, Communication, and Social Sciences and find the program that helps build your foundation.
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冈本视频 Business Management graduate turned her education into a launchpad — building her own business and earning recognition as the Greater Green Bay Chamber’s 2026 Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
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