Amy Edge recently took her side-hustle as a virtual assistant into a full-time career as the CEO of her virtual business management company. She lives in Virginia with her husband and four children. She truly understands the daily struggles and successes mom entrepreneurs face as they raise their families while building successful businesses.
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
I kind of fell into starting my own business. When we relocated for my husband’s last company, I left my career as a Preschool Director and became a stay-at-home mom. And, as much as I loved being a stay at home mom, I needed something that was outside motherhood and something that I could invest myself in. I fell into virtual assisting. It began as a side-hustle at night when the kids were in bed.
In April 2016 it started to take off and the referrals and feedback from my clients gave me the nudge to build this into a full-time business. Now, after one year of launching my business management company, my husband left his career and is my business partner and we have a few sub-contractors as well!
Tell us about your business.
My team and I offer virtual business management support to mom entrepreneurs as they are building their business. Our support helps to eliminate tasks off their to-do list so they can have more time with their families and raising their babies. Our services are different than the typical virtual assistant as we offer our clients strategy & the implementation to move your business forward. We focus on social media management, ad campaigns, email marketing, and website (WordPress & SquareSpace) support and design.
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
We have just launched our first Instagram training, “Make Instagram Your Jam”. It is a free 5-day training that covers all of the basics to take FULL advantage of Instagram to build your business. So far, it has been well received and our clients have been pleased with their Instagram growth. Our next training will help entrepreneurs learn how to work with a virtual assistants effectively from day 1!
Where is your business based?
We are based in Chesapeake, Virginia. But, the long term goal after our kids leave for college is to take this across-country in an RV.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
The very first step we took to get started from side-hustle to a full-time business was develop our business plan and logically look at the steps from the ground up. Then, we took each step and broke those down – scheduled out the project in Asana, and assigned mini goals so we could launch on time and gracefully.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
3 things:
- Customer service and client support: it is my goal to provide stellar communication, timeliness and listening skills to develop a relationship with all of my clients. I want my clients to know; I want them to succeed and that I truly care about their business and visions.
- Referrals: These seem to come naturally when providing stellar customer service. If your current clients are experiencing an amazing partnership then they will tell others too!
- Social Media: This is a biggie for all businesses, but the key is being relatable and authentic. I have had several clients find me through social media organically!
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
One of the differences is that I understand the juggling act mom’s face daily and even more so mom entrepreneurs. The mom guilt is real! And, it is my aim to quickly solve problems and take items off their to-do list so they can worry less about their task list and focus on the revenue portion of their business and spending time with their families.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
A business bestie of mine recently told me, “Give yourself grace, mama!” How true is this! I am pulled in so many directions a day, that sometimes I forget that the only persons timeline I am on is my own (well and the toddler when he is hungry). I schedule time each day on my calendar to fill my own cup and speak a few affirmations.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Create systems, processes and automate as much as you can. If you cannot automate, then delegate it! Time is precious when you are balancing it all, but if you create systems and stick with them you can spend your time on business building tasks during your working hours.
What are your favorite business tools/resources and why?
Hands down, Asana! I could not run my business or my life without it! All of my clients’ projects are managed within Asana and the automatic reminders keep me accountable and allows nothing to get missed. Another plus, its mobile app is genius!
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
I have read Jen Sincero’s, “You Are A Badass” about 10 times! It has been a game changer for me. It is an entertaining book that gives you swift kick and also shows you how much you are REALLY worth.
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
Pinterest! I love Pinterest and it is a major player for growth for small business owners, but it is such a time-suck! I tend to find #allthethings and want to read them all instead actually pinning and repinning and working my Pinterest strategy.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
My goals for the next few months are to really crank out content creation and list building along with a few products and ebooks I have in the works.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @amyedgevbm
Facebook www.facebook.com/amyedgevbm
Website AmyEdge.com
Email hello@amyedge.com
Hashtags #raisingbabiesandbusinesses
Cheryl Lacey says
Amy Edge helped transform my business! She and her team created my amazing logo and my website is gorgeous. Amy pushed me to think deeply about how I want people to feel, why I love my business and how I hope to treat my customers. I recommend Amy to everyone looking for a social media manager!
Amy Edge says
Aww, thanks for such kind words, Cheryl! It was so much fun working with you! Plus, you are local, so we were able to actually meet! Which was so amazing! Can’t wait to work with you on the next project!
Michelle Compo says
This should be the key… This will encourage every mommies and all husbands to engage in being a VA. With time management I guess it will not be that hard.