Amy Posner, Founder of AR Posner Enterprises, Inc.
Name: Amy Posner
Founder: AR Posner Enterprises, Inc.
What problem do you solve and for who?
I help freelancers and solopreneurs who are great at their craft/core skill, become great at running a business.
What's your story?
I've been a business owner for 30+ years and the business side is something I've always been good at. I grew up in a family business, so I learned quite a lot about customer service and delivering a great experience. Never knew how well that would serve me in later years, but here we are. I find so many people get into business because they're good at something and want to make a living at it and then discover ACK! I have to get clients, write proposals, do sales, understand marketing, run discovery calls. It all seems foreign and intimidating - not what they signed up for. I love making those skills accessible and easy, to help people find their best way to deliver an amazing experience so they can run a sustainable business and not be running in the feast and famine cycle that so often occurs if you don't have the business skills dialed in. I do it with humor, and a dose of kindness and understanding, because I find even the most sophisticated people find these skills can reduce them to feeling small and scared. We can overcome that and it's brilliant to see their businesses blossom when they come into their own as business owners.
What does BEING a FoundHer mean to you?
For me, it's meant running my own show. For a LONG time. Sometimes I look back in wonder that I've supported myself and my partner for decades now. That I've had the freedom that comes from self-employment. I've sold two businesses and travelled, I've been able to help other family members and feel (mostly!) in control of my life. I didn't start out to be a business owner, but what it's given me in terms of freedom and flexibility IS what I always dreamed of.
How do you support other female founders and women in business?
I work mostly with women, so that's generally who I help through my business. I also mentor some younger women in business and periodically offer free consults to women who are just starting up. I also make myself very accessible. I get a fair amount of questions by email and answer them all and I aim to provide valuable advice and direction. I'm a big believer in delivering value before money changes hands, so it's part of my working philosophy.
What podcasts do you listen to that have helped you with your business?
Weird Finance
Tiny Marketing
Success Beyond
High Income Business Writing
What is one book that you would recommend every female business owner read?
That's a tough one, it so depends what stage of business and who they are, but I guess my pick right now would be Tribe of Mentors. I wish I wrote it!
Who is a female entrepreneur you look up to and why?
Honestly, any and all. It takes such courage to start a business and to stay the course. It's easy to look up to the big names, with teams and visibility, but I'm a fan of the women quietly making their lives and the lives of the people they care about, better because they're willing to take the risks and do the work.
What are the first five things that you did when you were starting your business?
Hard to remember, it's a long time ago, but I started reading everything I could get my hands on about running a business especially sales and marketing. There were very few women to look up to at the time, so whenever I saw one speaking on a relevant topic, I showed up. It was pre-internet, so I spent a lot of time in bookstores!
Who is someone who has helped change or shape your business for the better and what did they do to help you?
My coach and my podcast partner have been hugely helpful and influential. My coach held a vision for me beyond what I could see. She was honest, direct and caring.
At what point did you make your company a full time gig? How did you know the time was right?
Right away--I'm an accidental business owner and I jumped in with both feet.
What lesson or skill did you take with you from a prior job to help you succeed in your role today?
I haven't had a job since my 20s, but I've learned so much about leadership from running my businesses. Empathy, being direct and keeping clear boundaries are the ones that serve me well.
Let’s talk social media—who handles it for your company (you, an internal team member, an outsourced solution?) and what is the secret to making it successful? What is the biggest challenge?
I hired someone to help me build my LinkedIn presence in 2024 and I got a lot of traction from that effort. Consistency and CTAs were how it succeeded. I've since pulled back considerably from socials and not sure how much I'll go back.
How did you land your first client?
Cold outreach.
What is something you do differently from the industry standard?
I help people find their unique path as opposed to having anything templated (well, some of my IP). And I don't "rubber stamp" anything my clients want to do. I see that too often in the coaching world, and I steer away from that approach like I'm driving a race car.
Did you raise capital? What was the process and avenue you chose to take?
Always self-funded, except my first business where I was offered to be a partner if I bought in, and I put that on a credit card after my dad looked everything over and thought it was a sound decision (!) <-- I was young.
Have you sold a business? If so, how did you know when it was time to sell? What were the steps you took to make it happen? What advice would you give to someone looking to sell?
Yes, I sold an NYC agency in the 90s. We were transitioning out of being able to serve our market and there were colleagues who still served them and was interested in buying our client list with proper agreement and transition we made a very smooth job of it. We were fortunate in that we had good relationships in our space and knew who we were selling to. My advice would be to understand that's your goal as early as you can so everything you do can prepare you for that moment. (Internal tracking, measurement, things you can prove down the road, especially digital).
What would you do differently if you were starting your business today?
I'd work solo more and rely on outside contractors less. I tended to hire out before I understood the processes myself and that bit me a few times.
What are three strategies you use to market your business, grow brand awareness and generate bottom line growth?
Weekly newsletter.
Delivering value and helping people—being generous without worrying if or when they'll hire me.
Public speaking (online or in person) when I can to broaden my reach.
What was an obstacle you overcame to get your business where it is today?
Interestingly, in my early years it was being taken seriously because I was a woman and I was young. I went through a moment in recent years where I wondered if people would view me as obsolete, or too old. I overcame both by working on myself and my belief about my worth and the value I offered, age be damned.
What are three actionable tips you would give with other women who want to start a business or are just getting started?
Get a mentor, or find your people. Going it alone is hard and there's no reward for toughing it out.
Understand your audience from an empathy POV: what keeps them up at night?
Set yourself up as a business, at least separate bank accounts!
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