Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Bartlett.
Amanda, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story isn’t one of overnight success or a perfectly mapped plan. It’s been shaped by a deep pull toward service, a lot of grit, and a willingness to say yes before I felt ready.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to people and places where help was needed. That calling led me into volunteer work both locally and abroad, including a mission trip to Africa where I served in orphanages, teaching, cleaning, and caring for children, and traveled into remote areas to support the Maasai tribe. Those experiences permanently changed the way I see the world and my responsibility within it. I learned that real impact doesn’t come from abundance – it comes from presence.
That same heart for service eventually became deeply personal. I founded the Battle for a Cure Foundation to support children fighting cancer and their families, and I ran the nonprofit for 15 years. What began as a small, determined effort grew into a sustained mission rooted in compassion, advocacy, and walking alongside families during some of the hardest moments of their lives. That chapter taught me endurance, empathy, and the power of community when people come together for something bigger than themselves.
Over time, that mission followed me into every part of my life. I became consistently involved in local outreach, mentoring, and creating spaces where people felt seen and supported. Eventually, that led me to open a woman-owned, purpose-driven thrift and boutique shop in Georgetown – a place built on sustainability, accessibility, and giving back. What started as a simple idea has grown into a community hub where stories are shared, relationships are formed, and proceeds directly support local charities and neighbors in need.
Today, whether I’m volunteering, mentoring, or running a small business, everything I do is an extension of the same belief: that we are meant to show up for one another. I don’t see my work as separate chapters, but as one continuous thread of service – using what’s in my hands to make life a little lighter for someone else. And while my path is still unfolding, my purpose has always been clear: when we care for our communities, we don’t just change lives — we strengthen them.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. The road has been meaningful, but it has never been easy.
Much of my work has been rooted in emotionally demanding spaces – walking alongside families facing childhood cancer, serving communities with limited resources, and carrying other people’s pain while still trying to show up strong. One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is that caring deeply comes with a cost. Burnout, grief, and exhaustion are very real when you’re constantly pouring yourself out, especially in nonprofit and service-driven work.
There were also practical struggles. Building and sustaining a nonprofit for 15 years required learning things the hard way — fundraising, leadership, boundaries, and the reality that passion alone doesn’t keep the lights on. Later, stepping into small business ownership brought its own challenges: financial risk, long hours, uncertainty, and the pressure of building something meaningful while still supporting my family and my community.
Perhaps the biggest struggle has been learning that I can’t save everyone – and that stepping back doesn’t mean I’ve failed. I’ve had to learn how to rest, how to ask for help, and how to trust that impact isn’t measured by how much you sacrifice, but by how consistently and intentionally you show up.
The road hasn’t been smooth, but it has been honest. Every challenge has shaped the way I lead, serve, and care for others today – with more empathy, more wisdom, and a deeper understanding that sustainable impact starts with taking care of the person doing the work, too.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At the heart of everything I do is service. My work has taken different forms over the years — nonprofit leadership, community outreach, and small business ownership — but the purpose has always been the same: to create spaces where people feel supported, seen, and valued.
I founded and led the Battle for a Cure Foundation for 15 years, supporting children fighting cancer and the families walking through that journey with them. That work required equal parts compassion and resilience, and it taught me how to build sustainable systems rooted in empathy, trust, and community support. It’s where I learned how to lead with heart while still making hard, practical decisions.
Today, I own and operate a woman-owned, purpose-driven thrift and boutique shop in Georgetown. I specialize in blending sustainability, accessibility, and community impact – creating a welcoming space where quality clothing is attainable and proceeds directly support local charities and neighbors in need. More than a retail space, the shop has become a place of connection, conversation, and giving back.
What I’m most proud of isn’t any single title or achievement, but the longevity of the work. Whether running a nonprofit for over a decade or building a small business rooted in generosity, I’ve stayed committed to showing up consistently and doing the work with integrity. I’m known for leading with empathy, building community where there wasn’t one before, and creating impact that lasts beyond a single moment.
What sets me apart is that I don’t separate business from purpose. I believe success is measured not just by growth, but by who is helped along the way. I bring lived experience, deep compassion, and a hands-on approach to everything I do – and I care just as much about the people behind the scenes as the outcomes we celebrate.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is people – especially those who feel overlooked, overwhelmed, or unseen.
For much of my life, I’ve been in spaces where people are walking through their hardest seasons, whether that’s families facing childhood cancer, communities with limited resources, or individuals simply trying to get by. Those experiences reshaped my understanding of success and purpose. They taught me that presence matters more than perfection, and that small, consistent acts of care can change the course of someone’s life.
I care deeply about building community – the kind where people know they’re not alone, where help feels accessible, and where dignity is preserved. That’s why everything I do, from nonprofit work to small business ownership, is rooted in compassion, generosity, and connection. I believe we’re meant to carry one another, especially when life feels heavy.
At the end of the day, what matters most to me is leaving things better than I found them – creating spaces, systems, and relationships that remind people they are valued. That’s the measure I come back to again and again, and it’s the why behind everything I do.
Pricing:
- Thrift items are priced affordably to remain accessible to the community
- Most clothing items range from budget-friendly thrift pricing to select boutique pieces
- Brand-name and higher-end items are priced well below traditional retail
- Special sales and community events often feature additional discounts
- Proceeds help support local charities and community initiatives
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.truethriftcollective.com
- Instagram: true_thrift_collective
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/truethriftcollective
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/amanda-bartlett-tx
- Other: tiktok : @true_thrift_collective
Image Credits
I own rights to all photos.
