This month marks 11 years of Elite Virtual Assistants.
When I started, I didn’t have some perfectly mapped-out plan. I just knew I wanted to build something meaningful and probably do it a little differently than everyone else.
And if I’m being honest… this hasn’t been easy.
I don’t have a story of things taking off quickly or everything just falling into place. Most of it has felt like figuring things out as I go, working through challenges, and pushing through obstacles—some real, and some I probably created in my own head.
There were definitely moments where I felt like giving up completely.
But instead of quitting, I pulled back when I needed to. I slowed down. I reset. And then I kept moving forward.
Before I get into this list, I want to say that these aren’t your typical “11 things to grow a business.”
This isn’t about reading 10 books a month, waking up at 5am, or following some perfect routine.
These are just real things I’ve learned over the past 11 years through trial and error, a lot of hard work, and doing things in a way that felt right for me.
Some of them might resonate. Some might not. And that’s kind of the point.
1. No is a complete sentence.
This is something I’ve learned over time, and honestly, I’m still working on it.
It’s okay to say no.
It’s okay to stop doing things you don’t enjoy anymore.
It’s okay to admit when you’re overwhelmed and need to step back for a while.
For a long time, I felt like I had to keep pushing, keep saying yes, and keep showing up in ways that didn’t always feel right.
But sometimes the most productive, healthiest thing you can do for yourself and your business is to pause, reset, or let something go altogether.
2. You don’t have to do things the way you’re “supposed” to.
I’ve spent a lot of time pushing against the norms, the things people say you have to do to grow a business.
There’s a difference between getting out of your comfort zone and forcing yourself into something that just isn’t you.
Some things worked. Some didn’t. But figuring out what works for you is where things start to click.
3. I hate sales… but I love helping people.
I’ve fought this one for years.
I like to socialize, but I hate to network. I would rather put forks in my eyes than walk into a room and make small talk.
And if I’m being honest, I never really wanted to be the “face” of the business either.
For years, I felt like I should be doing more. More videos, more visibility, more putting myself out there in ways that didn’t feel natural to me.
But give me a real conversation? A topic? A chance to help someone see what they can’t see? I’m all in.
11 years later, I’ve finally realized… that is sales. And that is showing up. Just in a way that actually fits me.
4. Do it your way—and be willing to own the outcome.
I’ve always wanted to do things my way. For a long time, I thought that made me selfish or controlling.
But at the end of the day, when things work (or don’t), I’m the one responsible. And I’m okay with that.
5. You will be wrong… a lot.
I’ve been wrong more times than I can count.
But every misstep got me closer to where I am now with an incredible team and a clearer direction than ever before.
6. Never give up—but be willing to evolve.
This hasn’t been a straight path. Not even close.
I don’t have a story of overnight success. If anything, it’s felt like trudging uphill for a long time, with a few plateaus along the way where things just… stayed the same.
But what I’ve learned is this: just because something feels hard doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path. Sometimes it just means you haven’t quite found your lane yet.
For years, we could help anyone. And that was the problem. It made it really hard to focus.
Once we got clear on who we serve and what we do best (helping attorneys), everything started to shift.
Now we’re staying in our lane, putting our energy into what we know, and what we’re really good at.
And I can confidently say… we’re really good at it.
We don’t just “place” assistants. We partner with our clients and our team. There’s a level of purpose in that that goes far beyond just running a business.
It’s rewarding. And it feels really good to know we’re building something meaningful together.
7. Find your people.
The right clients, the right team, the right circle—it changes everything.
Business can feel heavy. The right people make it feel possible again.
8. The right coach makes all the difference.
There are moments where you can spin your wheels for years… or have someone help you see what’s right in front of you.
I’ve learned to invest in guidance, even when it felt like a stretch.
9. Know what you “should” do—then make it your own.
There’s value in learning best practices, strategies, and frameworks.
But you don’t have to follow them exactly as they’re given.
Adjust them. Shape them. Make them work for you.
10. Celebrate the wins—even if they’re not the “big one.”
This is something I’m still working on.
I’m grateful for progress, but if I don’t hit the exact goal I set, I tend to move right past it instead of celebrating it.
I’m learning that the small wins are what actually get you there.
11. There’s a time to push—and a time to allow.
This might be the biggest lesson for me this year.
For a long time, I pushed. Hard. I thought that’s what it took.
But looking back, that constant pushing didn’t always move me forward; it sometimes held me down.
This year, I’ve focused more on allowing instead of forcing.
And honestly, that’s where I’ve seen the most growth.
Closing
When I look back over the last 11 years, I don’t just see a business. I see a lot of trial and error, a lot of growth, and a lot of figuring things out along the way.
There were times it felt like I was constantly pushing uphill. Times I questioned what I was doing. Times things felt harder than they “should” have been.
But every step led me here: to a business I’m proud of, a team I’m incredibly grateful for, and a direction that finally feels aligned with who we are and what we do best.
And maybe the biggest realization through all of it is this:
The goal isn’t just building a business, it’s building a life you actually want.
For me, that’s flexibility, meaningful work, and time to enjoy it.
And if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s this—
You don’t have to move fast.
You don’t have to have it all figured out.
You can slow down. You can take a step back when you need to.
But as long as you keep moving forward… you’re getting there.
