When I was gardening at a client’s house and she gave me water in the perfect cup Oct 2020
When I decided to start up as a Virtual Assistant, it was at the beginning of the winter lockdown in Nov 2020. I had wanted to go virtual for some time however the lockdown made it difficult to network and build relationships as you could no longer go to meet ups, events or even for a coffee! Virtual work is where my strengths lie, but also as the weather was getting colder and people were bunkering down again. All summer I had been working random jobs to keep busy/sane and make some money, from washing boats and being a hostess on a day charter boat, to gardening, running errands, cleaning houses to helping people pack and move houses. You can say I was a Jill-of-all-trades. I did whatever job I was offered and always completed it thoroughly, with a smile. However I remember the exact turning point: I was scrubbing a clients toilet with the brush repeating over and over I will make my business 100% virtual! At that point I didn’t know how to get there, but manifesting works because within the week, Stafford Concierge was born and I already had clients.
To start at the beginning of this journey, let’s go back to March 2020. I arrived back to Toronto after 2.5 years of working and travelling abroad from Oct 2017-March 2020. During that time I was working as a full time Yacht Stewardess/Crew for the rich and famous on some really glamorous super yachts as well as being the ship manager for a conservation boat: The While Holly with 14 crew. As the go getter I am, upon arriving home I thought “This will be easy! I will just apply and get a job and get my life back on track while settling down at home.” Well, this thought lasted a short couple weeks, and then I became fatigued: the grueling task of applying for almost every job I saw advertised, because normal lift for a few months. Being a former recruiter, I knew most applications were a gamble, but in dire circumstances you have to try! It was a rollercoaster ride: ups and downs, your self worth goes through the wringer when you’re not even getting a call back – all the while being house bound during a pandemic no less!
Fast forward just FOUR months from scrubbing that toilet and I have taken on a contract role, won three clients, a few of my leads have just disappeared, but I have had the most confidence boosting testimonials from every single client I have done work with. There are still more opportunities in the pipeline and I’m excited to see what might become of them!
If I hadn’t made the move to start on this amazing virtual journey, with the support and encouragement of my wonderful partner, supportive friends and family, I would not already be smashing my goals! First goal smashed: Business owner and client retention. I know I’ll hit my 2021 goals…. I have the skills, I have a clear business plan, I have time to invest in myself and in turn my clients. This year I am going to continue setting and smashing my goals.
Every journey begins with an inspired moment, what is yours?
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