Amber Milt has decades of experience reporting and producing on-air and digital content for major networks and publications including Fox News Channel, Lifetime Television, BusinessWeek, New Beauty Magazine, and News Channel 12 Bronx/Brooklyn.  Her passion to develop innovative and compelling content – that was not driven by ad dollars and “pay-for-play” ­– led her to create the Art Beauty Podcast.  The weekly show explores the wonderful and wacky world of skincare regimens and rituals, plastic surgery breakthroughs and busts, and how to reinvent yourself one eyelash at a time.  

What inspired you to start your business?

I’d call my podcast more of a passion project.  Having been in the world of content production for magazines, TV, and digital, I was all too familiar with producing branded content and pay-for-play.  And while I don’t doubt that many of today’s editors and influencers are being honest in their reviews, I wanted to create a platform where people could hear the real truth about everything from plastic surgery procedures to the latest developments and technology in beauty products.

Where is your business based?

My living room (New York City) 

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

Well, I had experience with video production and editing but had zero experience when it came to audio editing.  So, I had to learn the basics of Adobe Audition the good old-fashioned way – YouTube.  Let’s just say the first month was brutal.  I also researched the best audio equipment and podcast setups and purchased what I needed to get started.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

The podcast market has become so saturated with content, but luckily, also with listeners.  I wish there was some easy way to get noticed but I think it’s just been a long road of meeting people, sharing on social, and having my guests also promote. 

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

Breaking up with my co-host.  We had started on a journey together but about a year in, his life demanded his attention in other areas, and it was clear that we needed to part ways.  I had done all of the booking, production on the podcast, and most of the weekly tasks of promoting on social and editing the website but finding the courage to continue to produce a show alone was definitely a struggle.  My co-host was not only the ying to my yang, but he added a lot of color and comedy to the show.  There was definitely a lot of wondering if people would simply stop listening to a show without him.  But luckily, the drop-off wasn’t too severe and while I miss working with him dearly, it’s been incredibly rewarding to have guests and listeners write in and tell me how fun and funny they think I can be, too.

How do you stay focused?

I’m a type-A Virgo.  I don’t know anything else.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

I think that podcasts are so deeply personal – you either like the host or you don’t.  So, I try to not focus too much on what the competition is doing and instead focus on guests and topics that I find interesting.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?

NOT GIVING UP.  About 50 episodes in I was feeling so down that I wasn’t getting a million listeners a show.  And then I had the very lucky opportunity to talk to a friend-of-a-friend who happened to have a very successful podcast, and he said to stick with it.  That it wasn’t until hundreds of episodes in that he was getting such high numbers.  Lately, I’ve been getting emails from strangers who have heard the show and want to recommend a guest or come on the show themselves – it’s the best!

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?  

Don’t give up.  No one wants to waste time on a failing business, but there is no such thing as an overnight success.  There can be an overnight one-off for sure, but success takes time, finessing, and the ability to stick with it.

What’s your favorite app, blog, and book? Why? 

Rent-the-runway.  Even when I don’t need something the idea that I can “shop” an unlimited closet prevents me from wasting so much money on things that I only wear or use once.

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

I belong to this collective of women entrepreneurs (Dreamers and Doers) and I find that the collective wisdom and willingness to help is priceless. 

Who is your business role model? Why?

My father.  At 77 years young he is still coming up with new business ideas – and actually executing on them.

How do you balance work and life? 

Life comes first.  There’s plenty of times that work is going to demand my attention (and win), but I’ve seen too many people who have sacrificed everything in their lives for their business, and to be honest, they don’t seem really fulfilled.  I guess I live by the “work hard, play harder” motto. 

What’s your favorite way to decompress?  

Travel.  I love New York City, but I literally need to leave it to calm down. I’ve been extremely fortunate in my life to be able to see a great deal of the world, and this has been a particularly challenging year with Covid-19 and the fact that I couldn’t hop on a plane and getaway.  Also, Homescapes and Gardenscapes. Between the two apps, I’m on level 4,000.

What do you have planned for the next six months?

I’ve got guests booked for the next 6 weeks (which is the most I’ve had in a while).  I’ve also planned a few local getaways.  But I don’t really have a plan and I’m okay with that because it works for me.  Plus, everyone who answered this question in late 2019 got it wrong. 

How can our readers connect with you?

Of course, I would love for them to listen and subscribe to the show.  The Art Beauty Podcast is on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, and YouTube.  They can also feel free to write me at hello@artbeautypodcast.com ­– I love hearing what they like, and also what they don’t like (so long as we spark a conversation, not a fire).