Amanda Furman
How Amanda Furman Built a Referral-Only Business Through Visibility, Service, and Snail Mail
What do pumpkins, Google reviews, and handwritten notes have in common?
For Amanda Furman, they’re all part of a bigger strategy: earn trust, give generously, and stay human.
In this episode of Outside the Box, Amanda shares the behind-the-scenes approach that’s helped her become one of Northeast Wisconsin’s most trusted names in real estate.
“We’re about 98% referral at this point. And that’s because we take care of our people and we follow up with our people.”
From PTA to Pumpkin Drops: The Power of Showing Up
Amanda’s approach starts with being deeply rooted in her community. She’s not just attending fundraisers and farmers markets—she’s coaching youth sports, sitting on nonprofit boards, and spotlighting local businesses every Friday on her Fox Cities Friday series.
“If people trust you with their children, they’ll trust you with just about anything.”
Her small business interview series started with zero budget—just an iPhone and a desire to give back. But over time, those business owners became clients, referrals flowed in, and Amanda became a visible force in her market.
Handwritten Notes, Not Hashtags
Amanda writes 10 to 15 handwritten notes every week—and normally not about business.
“I look for pain, pleasure, and celebration... and I just write people.”
From sympathy notes for a lost pet to celebratory cards for new babies, she’s built genuine connections the old-fashioned way. And the results speak for themselves.
“Nine out of ten times, people reach out and let me know how much it meant to them.”
Staying Top of Mind, Thoughtfully
From seasonal fireworks emails with local event info to a full-blown pumpkin delivery operation (600+ porches and counting), Amanda’s strategy is simple but effective: stay in touch and make people feel remembered.
“Most of the money we spend on marketing is spent on our homies. I hate the word client.”
And when it comes to digital trust, Amanda leans heavily on Google reviews—using QR codes at open houses, reminder cards post-closing, and a multi-touch follow-up process to drive organic growth.
“We’re a service business. Google reviews are free—and they’ve grown our business by quite a bit.”
Real Service = Real Referrals
Whether she’s sending branded BizBoxes to stressed-out movers or micromanaging holiday content to include local fireworks schedules, Amanda never loses sight of the bigger mission:
“We’re helping people sell their biggest asset. That’s a huge undertaking. And it’s an honor.”
Her biggest listing—a $1.4M historic estate—came from a single referral. But it wasn’t luck. It was the result of years of consistent service, generosity, and connection.
“There’s no magic wand. But if you’re consistent and form relationships, the business will come to you.”
Listen to the Full Podcast
Watch the full interview with Amanda Furman on YouTube
Want to Leave a Lasting Impression?
Thoughtful touches like these aren’t just memorable—they’re smart business. When it’s time for a closing gift that actually serves your clients, BizBox branded moving boxes do more than promote your brand—they make the move easier and keep your name in front of clients for years to come.
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June 20, 2025
How Amanda Furman Became the Mayor of Her Market
Amanda Furman doesn’t chase leads. She doesn’t cold call. She doesn’t buy billboards.
98% of her business comes through referrals.
But it’s not magic—it’s a method.
“I kind of like to think of myself as the mayor of my area.” — Amanda Furman
In this episode of Outside the Box, Amanda walks us through how she built a nearly all-referral business by becoming the go-to name in her neighborhood—not with hard sells, but with heart.
Step One: Show Up Like You’re on the Ballot
Amanda isn’t just active in her community—she’s visible. She volunteers, sits on local boards, supports school fundraisers, and shows up at the farmers market.
“I'm like the cheerleader for our area, because I love it here and I want everybody to love it as much as me.”
She didn’t force it. She started with the groups her family was already involved with—and built from there. It’s what makes it sustainable and authentic.
Step Two: Be Present, Personal, and Proactive
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