My Great Day Story — Featuring Amanda Opara

At Great Day Improvements, we believe that every employee has a unique story to tell, reflecting not just their personal growth but also the values and culture that make our company special. In our series, “My Great Day Story,” we are proud to feature the journeys of employees who have built their careers within our company and its many brands. Twice a month, we will highlight a different team member’s experiences, challenges, and triumphs, offering insights and lessons learned along the way.

Through these stories, we aim to inspire and support others on their career journeys, showcasing the diverse paths that can lead to success within our organization. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take the next step in your career, we hope these stories resonate with you and provide valuable guidance as you navigate your own journey.

This month, we are excited to feature Amanda Opara. Amanda started her journey with Leafguard in 2006! Her dedication and openness to learning something new are a shining example of our Great Day mentality.

Can you start by sharing a bit about your background and how you initially joined the company? 

In 2006, I joined a Leafguard franchise as a temporary scheduler. Before that, I had been teaching abroad and working toward a different career path entirely. I took on the temporary position while pursuing my master’s degree. 

What motivated you to pursue a career within the company? 

I started in the service department, scheduling warranty services for customers. Having worked for companies in the past that didn’t honor their warranties, I was impressed by Leafguard’s process and dedication to its customers. As I advanced, I had a manager who took an interest in my career and promoted me to a management role, allowing me to broaden my experience and deepen my understanding of the business. 

Can you share a pivotal moment or project that played a significant role in your early career development? 

When I joined the corporate team, I was excited to get in on the “ground floor,” so to speak.  It was my first time running a branch on my own, and I quickly learned the importance of following the established process. The branch hadn’t made a profit since the company took over a year earlier, but I posted 20% in my first month by sticking to the process. This success energized me and reinforced my belief that relocating across the country for this role was the right decision. 

How did you navigate challenges during your early career, and what did you employ to overcome them? 

When I launched my first new branch, I had to learn how to manage multiple aspects simultaneously—hiring, generating leads, sales, production, training, and more. This experience taught me the importance of prioritization. As one area would start to slip, I couldn’t lose focus on the others. It was during this time that I realized the value of a strong team and understood that no one person can handle everything on their own. 

As you progressed in your career, were there specific skills that you worked on to enhance your professional profile? 

Since I didn’t have a business background, I initially learned everything on the job. To build a stronger foundation, I earned my MBA in 2018 while continuing to work full-time with Leafguard. More recently, I’ve been studying project management in my limited free time. 

Tell us about the transition from your initial role to your new position in a different department. How did you identify this opportunity, and what steps did you take to make the move successfully? 

When I became a General Manager, I had to learn the sales side fast! While I had some prior knowledge, I now had to not only master it but also teach it to others. I dedicated as much time as possible to learning the program, using videos, one-on-one coaching, reading books on the subject, role-playing, and even running my own leads in the field. 

Were there specific mentors or role models who played a significant role in your career advancement? How did they influence your professional development? 

Yes, I’ve had various managers along the way who have taught me valuable lessons in operating and managing. More recently, one manager taught me the importance of stepping back to analyze a situation before jumping in. I had been the “firefighter” of the business for years, accustomed to working quickly. This manager helped me realize the value of getting things right rather than just doing them fast. 

Looking ahead, what are your future career goals, and how do you plan to continue your professional development within the company? 

I’m passionate about growing and developing my teams. With each new promotion, I take on more team members to mentor and tackle new challenges. I’ll continue learning from my team and the experts who paved the way. I plan to expand my skill set in operations by exploring new technologies and methods that can help make us stronger and more efficient. 

Any advice for colleagues or individuals aspiring to advance their careers within the organization? 

Be patient, learn everything you can, and don’t forget your team. There have been moments in my journey where I have felt stuck or stagnant, but I worked hard on my personal development to prepare for the next role. A few years ago, I wasn’t ready to be where I am today. It took effort for me to continue to grow. Without that commitment to my personal development, I would have given up long ago. Also, our team is our strength; no one accomplishes much on their own. You need to learn how to encourage and motivate if you want to lead.