Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Millinder.
Hi Andrea, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Sure thing. Well, I’ve always known I wanted to help people. When I first went to college, I earned an associate degree in psychology, thinking I’d become a therapist one day. But like a lot of us do, I listened to outside voices. My parents weren’t sure that was the right path, so I shifted directions. I earned a BA in anthropology because people still fascinated me, and about 5 years after that, I went back to school for my MBA in Operational Management and Entrepreneurship.
I saw that the people in executive positions, the ones making big decisions and good money, all had MBAs. So, it made sense to me at the time to go back to school. I also knew I wanted to have my own business one day, so I focused part of my degree on entrepreneurship. I was the first in my family to graduate with a master’s degree.
I grew up in a small, rural town in upstate New York. We didn’t have a lot of money. I came from a family of entrepreneurs and small business owners. My parents and many of my relatives were first or second-generation Americans, and I saw firsthand what it took to build a life and a business from the ground up. I watched them navigate the highs, the lows, and all the grit it takes to run something of your own. Those lessons stuck with me, and I’ve carried them with me ever since.
I spent nearly 20 years in the corporate world, mostly in the tech and software space, leading and scaling internal teams and managing big projects. I took some time off when my daughters were young and returned to work in the software space after a tough divorce and kept climbing and learning all I could about scaling teams and small businesses. But even with all that experience, something still felt like it was missing. I had a constant pull to help people in a more personal and meaningful way. I couldn’t keep putting all my energy into helping wealthy people become even wealthier. I wanted to support everyday people… those with big ideas and dreams. So they could build something of their own. Something they could be proud of. I wanted to help others create success and legacy from the ground up, just like I had seen in my own family.
So, when the time was right, I started my own business. Now, I help professionals who are ready to leave the corporate world, build something new and something better for themselves. That’s where my business name, Something New Solutions LLC, came from.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was definitely not a straight or smooth road, but I don’t think the meaningful ones ever are. There were a lot of twists and turns along the way. I grew up without much money, so I had to figure a lot of things out on my own. I was the first in my family to finish college and earn an MBA, and there were times when I felt totally out of place. There are times when I still feel that way. Then later in life, I went through a difficult and unexpected divorce, and had to rebuild my life literally from the ground up – both professionally and personally.
One of the biggest challenges in starting my own business was learning how to manage it all as someone with ADHD. I was diagnosed in my mid-twenties with ADHD and spent most of my adult life trying to manage without having support in place. I learned in my 40’s that it was necessary to have support, if I wanted to be successful. Also, I went from being a specialist in my corporate roles to suddenly wearing every hat: marketing, finances, client care, admin, all of it. Time management was my thing when it came to other people’s projects – but somehow when it came to my own, it didn’t work the same way. So, I had to build systems that worked with my brain, not against it. I had to unlearn perfectionism, ask for help, and give myself permission to do things differently than the “standard” advice out there. And while it wasn’t easy, it helped me build a business that’s actually sustainable and aligned with how I work best. It also allows me to design processes and systems for my clients that are unique and works best for them.
But every experience has taught me something. And it’s those experiences that help me show up more fully for the people I work with today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My business is all about helping professionals transition out of corporate life and build businesses that actually feel good to own and run. I specialize in working with people who are ready for change or have a big idea they want to launch. Whether they’re leaders, founders, or creatives, my clients want more freedom, fulfillment, and control over their time, energy, and work. Those are my people. Whether they’re launching a new product, developing new software to sell, or want to create a service to help people, I help turn ideas into clear, actionable strategies. I also help professionals navigating a career or job transition create a clear plan, whether they’re aiming for a promotion or searching for a new role.
What sets me apart is that my clients appreciate that I create a transparent, trust-based, judgment-free space where they feel safe, seen, and capable of reaching their goals. I keep it honest. I’ll tell someone if something definitely isn’t going to work, but I also make sure they feel safe to experiment and explore with their ideas in a way that is low risk and high reward. I also combine my project management and goal-setting coaching skills to offer a highly effective approach that helps clients get clear, stay focused, and take meaningful action. I often incorporate project management tools, like timelines, task trackers, Kanban-style boards and Gantt charts, to give clients something tangible to work through. This structure helps turn ideas into organized, actionable plans that feel doable, not overwhelming. And probably my sleeve tattoos… You don’t meet a lot of experienced coaches with an MBA, who also have sleeves.
In all seriousness, though, I want to see my clients’ dreams literally materialize in front of them. That kind of transformation doesn’t happen by forcing their ideas into predefined frameworks or cookie-cutter models. While proven strategies and business foundations absolutely have their place, the real magic happens when we think outside the box. I love helping my clients take what works for them and then shape it into something that’s fully their own.
I offer 1:1 coaching, group programs, networking events, and resources that support people in every stage of their business-building journey. Whether someone is in the dreaming stage or trying to scale, I meet them where they’re at and give them the tools and support to grow.
What were you like growing up?
I was a really quiet kid… observant, responsible, always willing to help. I loved art, drawing, being creative. I loved school and learning. I also spent a lot of my free time with my parents at their business. They owned a garden center, florist, farmers market, and did landscaping. I’d greet customers or run the checkout. I’d often help them with planning their marketing and ad campaigns. One year, I recorded a radio advertisement for the business – I still have a copy of the cassette tape.
Outside of that, I loved being in nature. I spent my summers swimming, riding my bike, and spend time with my family. I fished with my dad and helped my mom arrange flowers in her florist shop. My winters I’d go sledding, skiing (on discount nights), and snowmobiling, whenever I wasn’t working with my dad at the family’s garden center, selling Christmas trees and handmaking holiday wreaths.
I was also active in sports – I played softball, basketball, and was on track & field with both my school and community teams. I took school seriously and ended up enrolling in my local community college a year early, finishing my senior year of high school and freshman year of college at the same time. I hadn’t even consulted my parents before enrolling. Luckily they were supportive people. Perhaps, that’s what gave me the foundation to take calculated risks, bounce back from setbacks, and keep growing. My parents always told me I could do anything I set my mind to, and to never let anyone tell me otherwise. That message stuck with me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://somethingnewsolutions.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/somethingnewsolutions/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559283952466
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amillinder/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SomethingNewSolutions
