Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jeannine Warrick. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jeannine, thank you so much for joining us today and appreciate you talking about a sensitive topic. It’s unfortunately relevant to so many in the community as layoffs have been on the rise recently, and so we’d appreciate hearing your story and how you overcame being let go?
This is such a fitting question! I worked in the commercial construction industry for 15 of the 35 years I have been an administrator. If anyone knows anything about the construction sector, it is common that layoffs happen when projects slow down or a General Contractor goes out of business. I was laid off more times than I could have imagined and always felt like I was on an unstable roller coaster ride. The last time I was laid off was in 2009 during the Great Recession and that was the last time for me. I overcame that last layoff by starting a virtual assistant business. I always wanted to start a business and although businesses were laying off support positions left and right, I knew that business owners still needed help and support. After doing some research, I discovered virtual assistance and knew I found the solution to helping many business owners grow their businesses without breaking the bank. So instead of sulking at the fact that I was unemployed, I created a position for myself and began to offer my administrative knowledge to small business owners that could not afford to have an assistant as an employee but could contract out my services and only pay for my time.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am the owner of JL Administrative Services, LLC. My focus is on coaching virtual assistants and helping them grow and build their businesses. I also offer virtual administrative support to small business owners to save them time and money and to help them grow their businesses as well.
What is most exciting about what I do is that I get to help so many business owners step out of their comfort zone and do what it takes to grow and prosper in their businesses without breaking the bank. No matter if it is a virtual assistant that wants to start their own VA business or if it’s a business owner that wants to take their business to the next level, it is so much fun to help people and watch them succeed.
I have just launched a business consulting service where I mentor and consult small business owners that need a nudge and I provide that by doing a one-on-one over Zoom all for a small fee. The other exciting venture I am adding is a virtual assistant membership program!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I believe that the three most important qualities, skills, and knowledge that helped me were #1, my career as an administrative professional. I have now been in the administrative space for over thirty years and with that. I have learned how to be an asset in helping small businesses grow. Being a virtual assistant is not for everyone so you must have a love for being in the background while partnering with your client to help them pursue and fulfill the vision they have for their business.
#2, being organized is a must. How could you help keep a business organized if you are not organized as well? Luckily for me, this is a skill that I was born with so it comes so naturally. A few tips to help with being organized are number one: to make lists because writing everything down that’s on your agenda for the day or week is a great way to prioritize everything you have to get done. Second, you gotta keep clutter to a minimum, and third, learn to manage tasks and responsibilities.
#3, I never gave up no matter the obstacles that came my way and I kept pushing on. Business ownership is not for the faint of heart so focus on your “why” and keep going. Join masterminds, network, and join groups that encourage and support.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
I have several ideal clients! Because I am an administrative consultant, I work with the construction trades, stagers, color consultants, pet services business owners, cleaning businesses, and property managers, to help them be more efficient in their businesses and to help them grow. Taking back office work and administrative tasks off of a business owner’s plate is my goal so that they can focus on building their businesses.
I would also like to work with Non-Profit organizations. Some have causes that pull at my heart and I want them to succeed in serving their communities as well.
My ideal clients are virtual assistants that need help getting clients and growing their VA businesses.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jladminservices.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jladministrativeservices
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JLAdministrativeServices
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jl-administrative-services
- Other: LinkedIn Personal: www.linkedin.com/in/jeanninewarrick
