Stephanie Postell has traveled around the states attending and presenting stories of her own heating and air companies from the ground up. She’s been invited to conferences and podcasts to share her extensive knowledge of marketing and managing business. However, as a native Charlestonian, Postell could never forget where she started, and after much time spent traveling the states, she decided to make more of an effort to encourage the local leaders at home. This led her to start an annual conference called the She Means Business, a women’s conference facilitated with her friend Jenny Ladd. 75 women gather to hear successful experiences from female Charleston business leaders, showing up to listen to triumphs, pitfalls and the many routes of starting a successful business.
Postell could see the tangible effects of these conferences. Women now have a space dedicated to turning their skills into a company, and with the help of the expertise surrounding them, they can hone their business acumens into powerful companies. In doing so, they can then pass along this knowledge to newer business owners, creating a cycle of women empowering each other and giving back to their communities.
The conferences serve to hold women accountable to grow a company out of their hobby or skill. They are invited to showcase what they can do and are given help on how to improve upon it —either in the skill itself or on the business side of things. While business is a focus, it can be a great place to find volunteers or to volunteer themselves, and far more important, is the inspiration and strength women can get from each other.
Because of her innovation and hard work, Postell was awarded two She Shines awards. She topped the Shining Home Service and Repair Professional category and was one of the Shining Business Mentor finalists. Naturally, she is proud of the accomplishments, but Postell’s goal has always been to give back to her community.
As the owner of Anchor Heating and Air, to receive recognition means that she is also recognized as a female leader in a male-dominated trade. Using that title in conjunction with the wide acknowledgement of being a strong mentor, she can empower other women who she knows are more than capable of doing the same. Furthermore, Postell hopes other women will see how successful they can be and can then feel inspired to take those scary and exciting first steps of becoming a business owner. Postell has already been planning the next conference for spring of 2025, and she hopes to see many returning women and new business leaders attend. Based on her own experiences, Postell knows how hard starting a business is, but the shared experience of other Charleston leaders will be able to empower women to reach their goals.
For more information, visit anchorheatingandair.com or call 843-564-7777.
By Brooke Watson
