By Amanda Murray   | Vice President of Strategic Branding & Partner, AMP Up1 Hospitality & Your 3rd Spot

In 2017, my husband, Dan, and I left the Boston suburbs for the city, looking to shorten his commute and delay the commitment to suburban life. We moved into a small condo complex on Louis Terrace in the Dorchester neighborhood, with no idea how one seemingly small decision was about to change everything.

Shortly after we settled in, we received an invitation to a neighborhood gathering. It was dubbed “The F&%king Louis Terrace Wine Mixer” (a nod to the Step Brothers movie, if you know, you know). The idea of getting to know new neighbors wasn’t exactly thrilling to me.  I was an introvert with a healthy dose of social anxiety, so the thought of walking into a room full of strangers felt like stepping into a cave I wasn’t prepared for.

Initially, I RSVP’d with confidence—because Dan would be there.  But a couple of days before the party, Dan found out he had to travel to Texas for work, leaving me solo. Suddenly, I had an excuse not to go. It felt like the perfect out. Why put myself through the stress of small talk when I could stay home, wrapped in a blanket, lost in a binge-worthy show?  It was easy to talk myself out of the discomfort.  But deep down, something pulled at me.  

I tried to convince myself to go. After all, it was right across the street, and if things got awkward, I could make a quick exit. More than that, I knew there was something bigger at play—a feeling that maybe this time I needed to push through the discomfort. So, I grabbed a bottle of wine and went.

What unfolded that evening was beyond anything I expected. The wine was flowing, snacks were abundant, and the conversations were surprisingly easy. By the end of the night, I had made several connections, but one stood out—my new neighbor, Lindsey. We hit it off, and after talking for a while, she asked what I did for work. I told her I was a freelance graphic designer, and she mentioned that her friend Jenna might be looking for help at her job. She offered to pass along my information. I didn’t think much of it, but I agreed.

That conversation could have easily been the end of it, but a month later, I got a call. Jenna had an opportunity she wanted me to interview for. One thing led to another, and before I knew it, I was sitting in the VP of Marketing, Doug Warner’s office, interviewing for a design position with Kings. It started as part-time contract work, but within months I was hired full-time member of their team.  

Two and a half years later, Doug, Josh, and a select group of us from Kings embarked on a new venture: building Your 3rd Spot.  And here I am, leading strategic branding and design for a company I believe in—doing work I always dreamed of and now have ownership of.  

But here’s the thing: none of it would have happened if I hadn’t taken that first step out of my comfort zone.  Had I not gone to that party, Lindsey would have remained a stranger, and the opportunity to work with Kings would have never crossed my path.  I often think about how that seemingly small decision shifted the course of my life. 

Looking back, I realize the truth in Joseph Campbell’s words: “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.” We often resist the unknown because it’s uncomfortable, but those uncomfortable moments are where real growth happens.  If nothing changes, nothing changes.

So, the next time you get an invitation or face an opportunity that feels daunting, remember that it could lead to something bigger than you ever imagined. Step into the unknown.  Believe in yourself.  You might just find the treasure you’ve been seeking.