Alexis Matthews began her online career as a blogger back in 2005. After a 3 year hiatus from blogging to care for her growing family, Alexis was presented with an opportunity to work for another blogger, and that was just the beginning…
Virtual assistants help other business owners, either online or brick and mortar, with multiple aspects of their businesses. This could include graphic design, social media marketing, editing, ghost writing, content marketing, and more.
The beauty of being a virtual assistant is that you can work from your own home and arrange your work schedule to suit your own circumstances. You set your own hours and your own pay; you choose the projects you want to take on.
The Challenges of Building a Business from Home
Alexis built her virtual assistant (VA) business while caring for a large family, including micro-preemie twins, and working from home. Managing the needs of her children along with a growing business has been challenging.
Alexis has found that the old adage, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way” has helped her. Homeschooling adds flexibility to her family’s schedule that they wouldn’t have otherwise. In busier seasons, she can scale back on her projects, and likewise in slower seasons, she can take on more.
Outsourcing is also a valuable tool as she can refer out projects to another VA in her network in order to continue to grow her own business. She has several VA’s on her team, and another 20 who she can refer work to.
Delegation Tips for New Business Owners
1. I asked Alexis what is the one thing she thinks that most business owners should hire out. Her answer? Social media.
Social media needs to be done correctly to be most effective. Many business owners aren’t using social media to the fullest advantage. If you think you can’t afford someone to take over your social media marketing, Alexis says-
There is a delicate balance between being able to afford it and missing revenue because you are not effectively using social media. You have to spend money to make money. ~Alexis Matthews
2. Starting a business can be intimidating. Seeing results as you put yourself out there can really help you overcome those limiting beliefs. Taking inventory of your own skills and the things you enjoy about being online can give you ideas of where you could start as a virtual assistant.
Believe in the purpose you’ve set for your business…always have your why. Don’t let anything hold you back. ~Alexis Matthews
3. It’s important to know your why, figure out your end goal, and ask yourself if what you’re doing in the moment is advancing you toward that end goal.
Conflict in Business
Conflict is inevitable if you live in the world long enough, and that holds true in business too. Work with enough people and you will eventually experience conflict.
It is the job of a VA to come alongside their client and relieve the stress of maintaining certain aspects of the business. This is not an employer/employee relationship. Alexis faced this with a particular client who had last minute requests, unrealistic expectations, and asked for things outside the scope of their contract.
When she went back to her “why”, Alexis could see that this working relationship wasn’t working. She loves working with and encouraging business owners, and that wasn’t happening here. Once she was able to release that client, her joy in her business came back.
But in spite of the challenges and the rare moments of conflict, Alexis still encourages any Moms who are looking for something to bring in extra income to give Virtual Assisting a try. And she is developing a course for those who want training in this area.
Success is…
After spending many years working in a field that was “downright miserable” for her, Alexis is very adamant about her definition of success.
You need to love what you are doing to the point where it doesn’t even feel like you are working. I feel like that about Virtual Assisting. I truly do not feel like I’m working; it is a joy to come alongside other business owners and help them meet their goals. ~Alexis Matthews
Links From Today’s Show
*We do use affiliate links whenever possible to keep this site and your educational experience ad-free. Read our full disclosure here.
Connect with Alexis:
- Alexis' website: Premier Executive Media
- Connect with Alexis on Facebook
Today’s Sponsor:
More value for the price than any other online business coaching, Katie takes women who want to create products or start earning income with their blogs and teaches them how. The monthly personalized coaching and community involvement with other members far outweighs even the extensive resource library. Check out The Blog Connection today!
