Lauren Lister
Virtual Business Support
GET TO KNOW ME
I mentioned that I love it when a plan comes together. That’s how I became a self-proclaimed chaos coordinator, taking a seemingly crazy idea at the time and nurturing it into this wonderful small business.
When I began my self-employed journey in 2018, “virtual assistant” was a fairly new concept in South Africa and I had to wing it (a lot).
My first step was identifying the core values which would guide me in how I do business. I am glad I took the time to do that – it has been a sort of compass for me over the years. Starting my business was a learning curve, but WOW! It has been incredibly rewarding and I am proud of it.
I’ve decided that, much like children, running a small business takes a village, because I wouldn’t be here without the support from clients and the encouragement from family and friends. There have been nay-sayers, as there often are, but their voices were drowned out by my optimism.
My Core Values
Kindness
Kindness is everything.
“Ah, kindness. What a simple way to tell another struggling soul that there is love to be found in the world.”
– Alison Malee
Growth
Embrace opportunities to learn and improve.
Be responsive to changing needs and use failures as an opportunity to learn, and a catalyst for positive change.
Integrity
Speak the truth and take responsibility for my actions and words.
Do what is right – even when no one is watching – and encourage honesty in others.
Creativity
View thoughts and challenges with a clear perspective, using creativity and logic to find solutions and new ideas.
“Keep your eyes on the stars, but remember to keep your feet on the ground.”
– Theodore Roosevelt
What I Believe
It can be tough being a small business owner, trust me I know. I have days where I feel isolated and out of my depth, when I doubt myself and my abilities and start to wonder if I should be doing something else. Then I remember –
I did something else, and something else before that, and I enjoyed my time in those places and accumulated a wealth of knowledge, but I never truly felt like I fit. What I do now just fits.
Each of us has something wonderful to offer the world, to add value to our communities by sharing our knowledge and skills. My skills and perspective have value and I use them to give my clients:
- Peace of mind that what we have discussed and agreed will get done, and done well. I am all about the details.
- Time to do more of what is important to you. If I take something off your plate then that means you don't have to do it, so you have valuable time back to do something else - reconnect with customers, work on a new idea, take a day off for some "you time".
- A confidential sounding board. As your support system, part of my role is learning and understanding how your business works and the stakeholders involved, and I can offer a fresh pair of eyes and new perspective (if it is wanted).
- An open and honest working relationship where I bring my A-game to your table so that we can get you where you want to be. If you win, I win - of course I'm in your corner cheering you on.
"Just because you can, it doesn't mean you should."
Do you have something that needs doing, but you don’t like or want to do it?
Let me do it instead.
What MY CLIENTS THINK
“Just a quick note to express a few words of gratitude for your contributions.
As a VA, you have a rare talent of combining creativity with a fine eye for details. Some of the artistic work, such as the DISC profile page and others, have really been at a level that just enhances the brand.
On the flip side, you have the ability to take on technical problems and take the weight off my shoulders, whether it be a LastPass issue, Pipedrive or Zoom, and this has made running the business a lot easier for me.
I have really appreciated the way you have embraced delegation and by stepping up to a higher level to support others in the team.”
Mark Sharratt
Coach and Mentor
Energy Alchemy (UK)
Energy Alchemy (UK)