Working In Tandem

The official Blog library of Tandem Resource Solutions

Leading with Heart & by Example

Published July 31, 2019, by Bonnie Schutz, PACE - TRS CEO

Today was impactful. A somewhat regular Tuesday working my business like I do every day. However, after a few conversations, I had today, I immediately found the need to write about how they affected me. I wanted to put it into writing and truly reflect on what I do and why I do it. I am first a woman. I am a wife & mother. I am a mentor and an admin advocate. I am a bad-ass womanpreneur. I have a servant's nature. I wear my heart on my sleeve and in the past have been criticized for it. However, now I am owning it! I am who I am and at this point in my life, not willing to change that.


One conversation today was that of nurture nature. The other was that of gaining more clarity and more confidence in myself, what I do, and mostly WHY I do it. Sort of a roller-coaster type of day and two very different chats. The first was with an up and coming virtual assistant who is having a hard time making ends meet. This person is young and in the prime of their life. I want to help them, but don't have a magic client wand to get them full-time income. All I can do is use my words to help them through. I encourage, congratulate them on their baby steps and accomplishments, educate them as best I can, as well as give of my time to do so. In the business world time is money. For me, yes, of course, it is, but there is so much more soft-value in what I did today than the paycheck I'll not get for it. I feel better for the person I may have helped. I feel better about myself as a human being.

                    I am first a woman. I am a wife & mother. I am a mentor and an admin advocate. I am a bad-ass womanpreneur.

In this ever-competitive industry of virtual assisting, specifically owning an agency (or similar), I've come across varied types that are in this biz for different reasons. One is an agency created with a heartfelt desire to HELP. They want to help struggling entrepreneurs and small businesses and they want to HELP struggling VAs add to their clientele base or obtain growth in their biz. They are usually small in nature and have a team made up of sub-contractors. They have worked to get their business where it is by putting in simply sweat equity and learning new things every day by trial and error! Much, if not all, of their clients, have come from referrals and relationships. The second type of agency is the one that is built to be a moneymaker for its owners. They start an agency and mark up the mark up as high as they can for the best bottom line. They have found capital investors, hire employees on retainers and go for high-end game-changer clients. (There is nothing wrong with this model by the way. After all, it's why most people get into business).

As you can surmise I created my company based on the latter. HEART. Yes, I dove into this with no plan and as it grew found my true calling and passion...I want to HELP others. It's my nature and how I've always been. Do I want to make millions?! Of course! Who doesn't? But, that is not my main goal. It has been so rewarding to grow as a person and meet so many inspirational people along the way. I have helped some and offered to help others that I haven't been able to yet. However, I will!! Come hell or high water, I will do my best to stick to my word! Hopefully, they'll all hang in there with me and know that if I can't help them, I will recommend one of the rockstar connections that I have who can!

Moral of my story. Stay gold. Stay true and if you can, work from your heart. It is so much more rewarding! I am here to build people up, empower women, mentor and grow my business and outreach. I am a huge advocate of the administrative profession, be it traditional or virtual. Feel free to reach out to chat or grab a coffee any time! I love meeting people and connecting with new souls. Happy to meet virtually too!!

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