Female Disruptors: Amanda McDonald of Unbound Disability Claims On The Three Things You Need To Shake Up Your Industry
An Interview With Vanessa Morcom
“Take Action” Ideas alone will not pay the bills. I learned the importance of taking tangible steps towards my goals. Starting small and incrementally building momentum is key. Success is not instantaneous; it is the result of consistent action and dedication over time.
As a part of our series about women who are shaking things up in their industry, we had the pleasure of interviewing Amanda McDonald.
Amanda McDonald, the co-founder of Unbound Disability Claims, is dedicated to revolutionizing the Social Security Disability (SSD) application process. With a background in entrepreneurship and a passion for helping others, Amanda is spearheading efforts to streamline the complex journey for SSD applicants. Her innovative solution aims to increase SSD approvals and reduce the wait time from years to mere months.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?
Certainly! My backstory is deeply intertwined with my journey into disability advocacy and entrepreneurship. Enduring childhood abuse and neglect, I carried deep-rooted trauma into adulthood, yet remained undiagnosed and untreated for decades. It was only after a challenging divorce that I sought help and was diagnosed with PTSD. As a single parent, balancing life’s demands while dealing with the complexities of a severe mental health diagnosis was incredibly overwhelming. I deeply empathized with the frustration that applicants experienced when navigating the complex SSD application process while dealing with an illness. Drawing from my own struggles, I founded Unbound Disability Claims with a commitment to ease the burden for others facing similar hurdles. My goal is to ensure that those facing similar challenges find the assistance they need without unnecessary barriers, fueled by the empathy born from my own journey.
Can you tell our readers what it is about the work you’re doing that’s disruptive?
Absolutely! At Unbound Disability Claims, we are disrupting the traditional approach to SSD applications, which often involves unnecessary denials and lengthy delays. A staggering 62% of applicants were denied and 30,000 individuals died while awaiting approvals in 2023.
We address a critical issue faced by many individuals navigating the SSD application process. Imagine being hit with a devastating cancer diagnosis after visiting the doctor for stomach pain, leading to missed work, job loss, and financial strain. You apply for SSD assuming it will be a straightforward process, but applying for SSD benefits can feel like stepping into a maze with no clear path. The online application, filled with confusing questions, adds to the frustration. After a year of waiting, the dreaded denial letter arrives, leaving you feeling defeated and lost.
Clearly, the system is broken.
Our solution, the Disability Claim Builder, aims to streamline this process to ensure faster approvals. It serves as the TurboTax of the SSD industry, guiding applicants through interviews, forms, e-signatures, and the collection of compelling evidence. Our impact is not just about facilitating access to benefits but also alleviating financial stress and empowering individuals to navigate complex bureaucratic systems with confidence and efficiency.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Starting Unbound Disability Claims was a rollercoaster of learning experiences, and looking back, there were definitely some amusing mishaps along the way. One of the funniest mistakes I made was ordering copies of my book: The Expert’s Guide to Winning SSD with Your Initial Application. I double-checked that I uploaded the correct file and that the text was laid out properly, but I completely forgot to upload the cover of the book. So, you can imagine my surprise when I excitedly opened a box full of coverless books!
From that experience, I learned the importance of taking a step back when feeling stressed or frustrated. It is a reminder that rushing through tasks can lead to costly mistakes, and sometimes, it’s better to take a moment to breathe and approach things with a clear mind.
We all need a little help along the journey. Who have been some of your mentors? Can you share a story about how they made an impact?
One of my most impactful mentors has been a retired Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) whom I had the privilege of working with for over a decade. When I approached him with my idea to revolutionize the SSD process, I was apprehensive about his reaction. To my surprise, he not only loved my idea but also offered sage advice: “Do not grow too fast.”
In hindsight, his words were a profound warning rather than mere encouragement. Despite gaining initial traction, I learned the hard way when I rushed to expand prematurely. It was a humbling experience that taught me the importance of respecting the process and scaling our business slowly but steadily. His guidance continues to shape our approach to growth and strategy.
In today’s parlance, being disruptive is usually a positive adjective. But is disrupting always good? When do we say the converse, that a system or structure has ‘withstood the test of time’? Can you articulate to our readers when disrupting an industry is positive, and when disrupting an industry is ‘not so positive’? Can you share some examples of what you mean?
Disrupting an industry can be positive when it leads to innovation, efficiency, and improved outcomes for consumers. Positive disruption occurs when outdated practices are replaced with new, more effective solutions that meet the evolving needs of society. For example, the advent of ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft disrupted the traditional taxi industry by providing a more convenient and user-friendly alternative for transportation.
However, disrupting an industry is not always positive, especially when it undermines essential regulations, compromises safety standards, or creates unintended negative consequences. Negative disruption can occur when companies prioritize rapid growth and profit at the expense of ethical considerations, societal well-being, or environmental sustainability. For instance, the rise of certain fintech companies offering payday loans at exorbitant interest rates has been criticized for exploiting vulnerable consumers and perpetuating cycles of debt.
Can you share 3 of the best words of advice you’ve gotten along your journey? Please give a story or example for each.
- “Embrace Rejection” This advice truly transformed my perspective. Inspired by the book “Go for No” by Andrea Waltz, I learned that hearing “no” is not only normal but also essential for growth. Each rejection became an opportunity to reassess and improve, leading to better outcomes. Now, rather than dreading rejection, I embrace it as a catalyst for improvement. My recent successes would not have been possible without the lessons learned from earlier rejections.
- “Take Action” Ideas alone will not pay the bills. I learned the importance of taking tangible steps towards my goals. Starting small and incrementally building momentum is key. Success is not instantaneous; it is the result of consistent action and dedication over time.
- “Grow Wisely” The cautionary advice to “not grow too fast” resonated deeply with me because I made that mistake. The documentary, “LuLaRich,” vividly illustrates the consequences of rapid expansion without solid foundations. It serves as a reminder to prioritize sustainable growth and scalability in business endeavors.
We are sure you aren’t done. How are you going to shake things up next?
Our journey does not end with SSA. After we revolutionize the SSD process, we will gear up to tackle the complexities of veteran’s benefits through the Veteran’s Administration (VA). With our track record of disrupting outdated systems, we are poised to shake things up and make a meaningful impact in yet another area of need. Our mission remains steadfast: to streamline processes, provide support, and empower individuals to navigate complex systems with ease.
In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges faced by ‘women disruptors’ that aren’t typically faced by their male counterparts?
One prominent challenge is the need to continually prove our expertise and credibility in our respective fields. While men may be able to assert their expertise more easily, women often find themselves facing greater scrutiny and skepticism, requiring them to work harder to earn the same level of respect and recognition. Despite these challenges, many women disruptors persevere, paving the way for future generations of female innovators.
Do you have a book/podcast/talk that’s had a deep impact on your thinking? Can you share a story with us?
Absolutely, I am an avid reader and have been influenced by several books. I have already mentioned, “Go for No,” which I highly recommend.
“Good to Great” by Jim Collins. This book explores what separates great companies from merely good ones, offering valuable insights into leadership and organizational dynamics. It had a profound impact on my thinking about business strategy and growth.
Another book that has resonated with me is, “The Compound Effect,” by Darren Hardy. This book emphasizes the power of small, consistent actions in achieving significant results over time. It’s helped me understand the importance of discipline and perseverance in both business and personal development.
These books have been instrumental in shaping my entrepreneurial mindset, instilling in me a drive for excellence and a commitment to continuous improvement. They’ve inspired me to pursue long-term success through strategic decision-making and a relentless dedication to refining my skills and strategies.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
My passion lies in addressing poverty and addiction, two interconnected issues that perpetuate cycles of hardship and suffering for countless individuals. I would inspire a movement focused on providing comprehensive support and resources to those in need, emphasizing empathy, understanding, and community-driven solutions. By addressing the underlying root causes of poverty and addiction, we can create lasting change and uplift the lives of countless people, fostering a more compassionate and inclusive society for all.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
One of my favorite life lesson quotes is: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill
This quote has been incredibly relevant to my journey as an entrepreneur and advocate. It reminds me that both success and failure are temporary and that what truly matters is the resilience to keep moving forward despite challenges. It’s a reminder to stay courageous, persistent, and focused on the journey rather than getting discouraged by setbacks or overly complacent by achievements.
How can our readers follow you online?
Website: www.unboundclaims.com
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!
About The Interviewer: Vanessa Morcom is a millennial mom of three and founder of Morcom Media, a performance PR shop for thought leaders. She earned her degree in journalism and worked for Canada’s largest social enterprise. She can be reached at vanessa@morcom.media
