Raise your hand if you have changed direction, or pivoted during the Covid19 pandemic. I'm not talking about your finances or how much additional toilet paper you now plan to store in your hall closet. I mean, what have you reimagined or changed for yourself or the direction of your business - its mission, maybe?

My company's mission was to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs with their administrative & operational tasks - things like social media, personal responsibilities, bookkeeping, and back-office monotonies. Things that keep them drowning "in" their businesses, instead of working "on" their businesses - help them with affordable options enabling growth. I established a team of rockstar Virtual Assistants (VAs) and had my mission, processes, and plan all neatly tucked in place. All my ducks in a row. Then Covid19. The pandemic. The curve is flattening, slowly but surely, but my business has felt its adverse effects, and so have I. What a crazy time! To take advantage of my feeling of isolation and situation, I have used this time to seek out new things & meet new people. I have met and started working with a unique affiliate and business consultant/coach. I've gained an even stronger passion for helping struggling VAs, including single moms, stay at home moms, military wives, minorities, & women that have been "aged-out" of their positions. I want to help these VAs get gigs more than ever! I've always wanted that, but my new-found passion for it has exploded!

My company's focus was to help clients & small businesses with tedious, reoccurring tasks. Still, my new attention has turned more towards my team. My team is chock-full of amazing women (always looking for a few good men - BTW)! They are so deserving of my help. I will go to the ends of the earth to help them find clients. I will successfully pair them with small business owners and companies that are also struggling to make ends meet at this challenging time. It's a win-win situation. I've started creating a new program for internships (IVA's). An affordable option for clients and a meaningful learning experience for interns to rock a virtual/remote work environment! Again, win-win. I thrive on this matchmaking thing! I feel no greater sense of fulfillment than when I make these introductions and see them blossom! I am in a mentorship-mindset these days amongst the isolation and by being an empty-nester. I sincerely want to share what I know and have learned with the next generation of administrative professionals.

Growing my network has been a big focus during the last several months. I have become acquainted with more and more like-minded individuals, and my brain is exploding with excitement around the possibilities and the future! Much like we've seen first responders, hospital employees, and grocery store workers step up, I've seen people in industries outside of these be there for one another. Although it's not surprising in my realm (a group that always thrives on sharing & camaraderie), it does surprise me that other sectors are finding ways to connect and help one another too! This is hands down, the best thing I've witnessed during this pandemic. I hope to continue in this direction as we dig our way back out of this. #pivoting #newfoundpassion #anewdirection #anewpurpose