Beyond the Coffee Grind: My Journey From One-Woman Show to Empowering Company

[Carla Olivares]

The hum of the coffee maker was my morning alarm. Back then, it was just me, I juggled a kaleidoscope of tasks: managing social media for an investor, scheduling appointments for a life coach, and writing website copy for a realtor. While the freedom was intoxicating, the hustle was relentless. There just weren't enough hours in the day to take on more clients, and the feast-or-famine cycle left me constantly on edge.

One night, drowning in emails and to-do lists, a thought struck me. What if, instead of being a one-woman show, I built a team with my boss? A virtual assistant company that could offer a wider range of expertise and take the weight off the shoulders of busy entrepreneurs.

Fueled by ambition and mugs of cold coffee, WE started small. I recruited a couple of virtual assistants I'd met, whose skills complemented mine. We carved out a niche: supporting creative businesses with everything from bookkeeping to closing deals. Slowly, steadily, we built a client base.

The shift was exhilarating. The frantic juggling stopped. I reveled in the collaborative energy of brainstorming with my team, strategizing for clients, and watching them blossom alongside the company. We weren't just virtual assistants; we were becoming a force multiplier, freeing dreamers to focus on their passions.

The coffee maker still brews each morning, but now it's the soundtrack to a team huddle. We share our wins, discuss challenges, and celebrate each other's successes. From solopreneur to CEO, the journey wasn't easy, but the reward is far sweeter – a company that brings not just my own dreams to life, but the dreams of those we empower.