Becoming RWVA
It’s hard to easily sum up my skills and services because I pretty much do everything but it’s easiest to describe by comparing it to our brains. My variety of capabilities are very similar to how our right and left brain are very different, yet work in harmony. As a millennial, I’ve grownup alongside technology and have been honing valuable skills for over a decade.
Back to the 2 sides: On one side, I was inadvertently trained by Neopets and Myspace which opened my eyes to coding, graphic design, web hosting, and social media. I made all kinds of layouts, pngs, and animations as well as editing photos/retouching. That period of time allowed my creativity to blossom and gave me a sense of satisfaction, knowing I could do something that was special.
On the other side, I’m a leader who also loves to play a supporting role..which is also where I find myself confused again. I can give direction and be an example for excellence (not my words) AND I can come help the team, doing whatever needs to be done to achieve the end goal. I am, admittedly, a perfectionist so I’ve always a natural fit for management but really, I was just trying to my best and enjoy my job. I’m super organized and like to do things with my hands so I’ve always loved the idea of being a planner or organizer but digitally. That wasn’t an official business title back in 2011 (when I graduated) so now, 10 year later, I’ve realized my true passions and created my own special-sauce that gets me back into my favorite industry and allows me to use all of my skills in a meaningful way.
MY WORKING JOURNEY
On top of the variety of professional skills that you could put on a resume, I’ve gained priceless real-world knowledge that makes me a better businesswoman than anything I learned in college. I started off doing pedis, manis, and waxing at a local nail spa while in Cosmetology school and boy was that a hell of a first job. I busted my ass and scrubbed toes for like $4/hour but I learned one of the greatest lessons of all: Fake It Til You Make It!
From there I worked at a smoothie shop where my ADHD + OC (I don’t have a disorder) really thrived. Everyone there took their job seriously and I gained a huge sense of pride in my work, finally understanding the love for Sandwich Art. During college I worked at a few food establishments which were insane but again, educational, and I graduated working at a small bridal boutique. The shop itself was huge and they were known for customizing and designing wedding dresses.
As a consultant, I worked with brides, mothers, flower girls, bridesmaids, prom goers, alterations, and even Quinceañeras. I helped them grow their social media presence by over 50%, organize/attend trade shows, plan and co-host an in-house event, promote a new line/design concept, and write copy for their E-commerce integration, on top of many other responsibilities. Although I was very busy, it was the root of the industry that was the most rewarding. We did all of that work to ultimately help brides find the gown of their dreams and feel their most beautiful. There were so many days full of joy, I barely remember the stressful times.
After leaving Bridal, I worked at a local salon that soon transitioned me into a manager at another location. This is where my journey into management took off but with a rocky start.. There was little training involved, I didn’t understand the expectations, and college really doesn’t prepare you for real life drama in the workplace. I got screamed at, degraded, publicly humiliated, and pushed to my limits but I still stayed. It was humbling and extremely educational - psychologically and managerially.
MOVING ONWARD AND UPWARD!
Luckily I moved to Denver and pursued a much more relaxing industry - Cannabis. I’d been a participant since high school and a believer in it’s benefits so I was curious to see if I could make something of myself. Unfortunately, it requires an insane amount of money to even participate as a business in Cannabis so I worked being the counter for a couple of years and left to pursue a job that wouldn’t stop me from getting a house. Due to the legality of the industry I was fearful that we wouldn’t get approved for our loan so I found a salaried job in an industry that I was already familiar with.
Working as a spa manager was a huge leap from the other job I’d had because it was the most hands-on in terms of being in charge. I came in during a remodel and was immediately instructed to find furnishings and literally everything that would be needed to open another level of a spa. On top of that, I was actually doing payroll, attending marketing and business strategy meetings, writing policy, and coordinating orders - all of the things I was itching to do as a business grad. I knew that those were the skills I needed to grow and round out my practical experience as a business manager and entrepreneur.
It was a peaceful/busy/COVIDy/stressful time but I gained a truck load of skills that I can use for my VA clients.
Having left management, I now know that I do not want to work at a physical business ever again and want to help small business owners get shit done. Virtual assisting allows me to do that on my time, from my home, and with the people I choose to do it with. I know what I’m good at and want to see others shine to their full potential; whether that means keeping up with emails, invoices, and vendors or researching travel deals, I’m here to get it done correctly and swiftly.