“Resilience is about adapting, learning, and emerging stronger—turning challenges into opportunities for growth.” – Amber R. Carlson
Many small and midsize businesses struggle to build effective learning and development (L&D) programs due to limited resources and expertise, leading to higher error rates, lower productivity, and difficulty in retaining top talent. Without structured training, employees may lack the skills needed to perform efficiently, making it harder for companies to stay competitive. This is where specialized L&D providers step in, offering customized training solutions that align with business goals. By identifying challenges, designing strategic learning plans, and implementing modern training methods like e-learning, microlearning, and scenario-based learning, they help businesses create a culture of continuous learning. Without this support, companies risk stagnation, inefficiency, and missed opportunities in an ever-evolving market.
Amber R. Carlson, President and CEO of ARCHway Learning Solutions, understands these challenges firsthand and has built her company to address them. She leads with a strong focus on team success and client satisfaction, fostering a collaborative environment where employees have the tools and resources they need to thrive. With a background in training and development, she transitioned from corporate to entrepreneurship, establishing ARCHway Learning Solutions as a trusted partner for small and midsize businesses.
Under her leadership, the company has designed and implemented tailored training programs that improve employee performance, reduce costly errors, and strengthen leadership and sales skills. Even when faced with challenges, such as a major business disruption in 2023, Amber successfully navigated setbacks, rebuilt the company in 2024, and is now driving strong growth in 2025. By integrating innovative learning techniques and continuously expanding service offerings, she has positioned ARCHway Learning Solutions as a leader in corporate training, helping businesses develop sustainable, high-impact L&D programs that drive long-term success.
Providing Resources, Knowledge, and Guidance
Amber R. Carlson’s primary responsibilities focus on supporting her team and clients. She ensures that her team has the resources, knowledge, and guidance needed to work together effectively. At the same time, she is dedicated to delivering high-quality services that help clients achieve their goals. She compares her role to that of a conductor in an orchestra, ensuring that all parts function smoothly to create a strong overall impact. She believes that any weakness in one area can affect the entire organization, so she works to keep everything aligned and running efficiently.
A Career Shift
After graduating from college, Amber spent a year preparing for an overseas move before teaching in China for a year. Teaching and curriculum development had always been important to her, and this experience strengthened her skills as an educator and helped her navigate cultural differences, broadening her perspective on education.
Her passion for learning and development has earned her several prestigious awards, recognizing her impact in education and corporate training:
Award | Organization |
Best Adult Learning Specialists | Corporate Vision |
Top Corporate LMS Solutions Provider | HR Tech Outlook |
Excellence in Education | Global Federation of Education and Learning |
Top 50 Women Leaders to Look Up To | Passion Vista / Unified Brainz |
Outstanding Leadership Award | Education 2.0 Conference |
In 2005, she returned to the U.S. and took a role with a healthcare organization that served vulnerable and aging adults. Although it was not a field she had initially pursued, it became a defining experience in her leadership journey. Starting in sales, she attended training sessions and quickly discovered a passion for learning and development. Her dedication and aptitude for training led to a promotion, earning her the opportunity to train at a national level with executive leaders.
As her career progressed, Amber traveled extensively, partnering with multi-million-dollar organizations to enhance sales performance and operational efficiency. When the company merged with a major competitor, the strength of the training program that Amber R. Carlson was involved in developing was a key factor in the acquisition.
Despite her continued success in national training, career growth required relocation—something she wasn’t willing to pursue with young children at home. The frequent travel demands led her to a crossroads. While on maternity leave, she made a bold decision: to start her own business. This choice marked the beginning of her entrepreneurial journey and laid the foundation for what would eventually become ARCHway Learning Solutions.
Transition from Employment to Entrepreneurship
While on maternity leave, Amber began reaching out to potential clients and quickly secured two, one of whom remains a client today. Rather than resigning immediately, she had an open conversation with her employer and offered to continue supporting the team remotely. They agreed, allowing her to work in roles for several months before fully transitioning to her own business.
In the early stages of running her company, Amber R. Carlson took on multiple responsibilities, managing various aspects of the business herself. As the company grew, she followed insights from Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell and began delegating tasks. She built a team across the country to provide high-quality services to clients, allowing the business to scale effectively.
Restoring Momentum
In 2023, Amber R. Carlson faced a significant health issue that disrupted the growth and operations of ARCHway Learning Solutions. As a result, 2024 became a challenging year, with business development slowing down and key projects being put on hold. Despite these obstacles, Amber remained determined to rebuild. Once she recovered her health, she took a strategic approach to restoring the client pipeline, reassessing business goals, and implementing new growth strategies.
Understanding the importance of adaptability, she temporarily scaled down her team to manage resources effectively while maintaining the company’s core services. Through persistence, strategic decision-making, and a renewed focus on innovation, Amber gradually rebuilt her team and strengthened client relationships. By 2025, ARCHway Learning Solutions is once again on a strong growth trajectory, proving the power of resilience and strategic leadership. Her journey underscores the importance of overcoming setbacks, embracing change, and staying committed to long-term success.
Building Strong Leadership Teams
Amber R. Carlson has gained extensive experience in running a business and coaching senior leaders, equipping her with deep insights into the challenges and opportunities leaders face. Throughout her career, she has collaborated closely with executives, including CEOs, vice presidents, and HR leaders, helping them refine their strategies for business growth, leadership development, and operational efficiency. Her expertise lies in guiding organizations through change, fostering strong leadership teams, and implementing learning solutions that drive measurable results.
As ARCHway Learning Solutions continues to expand, Amber remains committed to innovation and excellence. She is actively introducing new departments and service offerings to enhance client support and meet the evolving needs of businesses. By continuously refining ARCHway Learning Solutions’s approach, she ensures that companies receive top-tier training solutions and develop a culture of learning that strengthens their workforce and drives long-term success. Her leadership has positioned ARCHway Learning Solutions as a trusted partner for organizations seeking customized, high-impact learning and development strategies.
Learning Solutions for Small to Midsize Businesses
ARCHway Learning Solutions specializes in creating customized learning solutions for corporations, primarily small to midsize businesses with 200 to 1,000 employees. Many of these companies either lack an internal L&D department or have only a small team. ARCHway Learning Solutions fills this gap by serving as a fractional L&D department or Chief Learning Officer, developing strategies and training programs to enhance performance, reduce errors, strengthen leadership, and improve sales skills.
The company’s services include:
- Strategy & Implementation: Identifying training needs and developing effective plans.
- E-Learning & Video Training: Creating courses, microlearning videos, and integrating virtual/augmented reality.
- Customized Workshops: Developing and delivering virtual or in-person training for maximum impact.
- LMS Solutions: Guiding selection, setup, and optimization for seamless onboarding and engagement.
What sets ARCHway Learning Solutions apart is its boutique approach. Instead of offering generic, off-the-shelf training, the company customizes every solution to align with a client’s vision, mission, and business goals. Integrating Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) into training programs ensures measurable success. Unlike many L&D providers that specialize in only one area, ARCHway Learning Solutions offers a comprehensive, end-to-end solution, eliminating the need for businesses to work with multiple vendors. The goal is to build sustainable training programs that allow clients to manage their L&D initiatives independently after implementation.
Hybrid Learning Approach
ARCHway Learning Solutions focuses on how the human brain learns best. While technology is an important tool in training, it should not be the only method. The company promotes a hybrid learning approach that combines technology with hands-on, interactive learning for a more effective experience.
One of its key initiatives, The Human Brain Unplugged, integrates principles of neurodiversity and neuroplasticity into training programs. This approach uses case studies, scenario-based learning, and simulations to encourage active engagement rather than passive information intake. By stimulating different parts of the brain, it enhances retention and improves overall performance, ensuring employees develop the skills they need to succeed.
TORCH: Ignite Teams. Forge Legacy.
Amber R. Carlson extends her expertise in leadership development through her #1 Best Seller in Business Leadership Training book, TORCH: Ignite Teams. Forge Legacy. This powerful guide challenges leaders to elevate their approach, transforming leadership into a dynamic, purpose-driven journey.
Unlike traditional leadership books, TORCH is a blueprint for those at the pinnacle of their careers—leaders who recognize that true success lies not only in driving results but in crafting a legacy that endures. Through compelling storytelling and actionable strategies, Amber explores the five foundational pillars of extraordinary leadership: Trust, Ownership, Relationships, Communication, and Humility (TORCH).
By embracing these principles, leaders can cultivate high-performing teams, inspire innovation, and shape organizations that thrive long after their tenure. Whether you’re a CEO, executive, or entrepreneur, this book provides the framework to ignite your leadership, forge a lasting impact, and ensure that the torch you pass is one worth carrying forward.
Advice for Professionals
Amber R. Carlson shares her top advice for professionals looking to grow and succeed in their careers:
- Be a Lifelong Learner: Expand your knowledge through books, podcasts, and diverse insights to stay ahead.
- Build a Personal Board of Directors: Seek trusted advisors for guidance, networking, and industry awareness.
By continuously learning and cultivating strong relationships, Amber believes leaders can remain agile and successfully navigate changes in the market.
Amber R. Carlson’s 5 Powerful Business Mantras
- Empower Through Learning: Continuous development strengthens teams, reduces errors, and drives success.
- Adapt on Purpose: Resilience and strategic shifts turn setbacks into growth.
- Customize for Impact: Tailored solutions improve leadership, sales, and efficiency.
- Leadership Legacy: Develop a powerhouse team culture that is hungry for excellence.
- Evolve and Innovate: Blending tech with hands-on learning ensures lasting impact.