Meet Raush Salhi

We were lucky to catch up with Raush Salhi recently and have shared our conversation below.

Raush, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

Honestly, my optimism isn’t just a mood – it’s pretty deeply wired into me, coming from a couple of key places.

First off, my upbringing was a huge factor. My dad’s an immigrant, and his entire life has been this incredible testament to taking chances, building things from the ground up, and constantly exploring new possibilities. He hammered home this idea that you genuinely have nothing to lose by just trying. While I never set out to be an “entrepreneur,” that spirit of pushing boundaries and seeing opportunity became a natural, almost instinctive part of who I am.

Then, a few years into my marketing career, working with everyone from solopreneurs to big agencies, I had this “aha!” moment. These incredibly successful people, in so many ways, were just like me. They had this unwavering belief that they could succeed, paired with the right mindset and, crucially, that unshakeable optimism it takes to power through the tough, unknown times.

So now, when a challenge pops up, I don’t see a roadblock. I genuinely see something exciting. It’s that feeling when someone tells me “no” or “that won’t work” – it just ignites this determination in me. I think, “Okay, I’m going to be smart about this and find a way to show you exactly how it can work.” And that feeling at the end, of having cracked a problem or found an entirely new path to a seemingly far-fetched goal? That’s just priceless. It’s the ultimate payoff for maintaining that optimistic outlook.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Alright, let’s dive into what I do! I’ve truly had a wild and wonderful ride over the last 15 years, building an international career across a pretty diverse range of industries—think tech, investment, media, advertising, and even consumer brands. My path involved supporting CEOs, CFOs, CMOs, board members, and visionaries at literally every level. That gave me a front-row seat to the “dos” and, honestly, even more of the “don’ts” of the business world. This experience really hammered home a crucial lesson for me: to truly own your career and your time, you absolutely have to work smarter, not harder. What truly lit a fire in me was being that ‘one-woman show’ behind the scenes – the person always there to help others be the brand, hit their targets, ease bottlenecks, communicate effectively, and manage big, complex projects.

That passion for strategic support, seeing firsthand how much impact one dedicated person can have, is actually what led me to first create Savvy Assistant Co. I simply wanted to help individuals and businesses thrive by providing that essential, high-level behind-the-scenes support. But as I worked with more clients and observed the market, it became crystal clear there was a much larger, underserved need: a structured way to connect incredibly talented virtual assistants with ambitious businesses that needed more than just task-takers – they needed true strategic partners. And that’s what truly fueled my founding of The Assistant Collective.

My core belief, the driving force behind everything we do, is that we can empower both skilled virtual assistants and forward-thinking businesses to reach their absolute full potential. We’ve built this incredible community that specifically connects skilled, North American-based virtual professionals with entrepreneurs who aren’t just looking for help, but for a genuine, growth-focused partnership.

Our focus is especially keen on solopreneurs and small to medium-sized businesses. We deeply understand that unique struggle of trying to do it all when you’re a lean operation. You’re often juggling client work, marketing, administration, content creation, and a chaotic schedule, feeling overwhelmed and stretched thin. And that’s exactly where we come in. We don’t just offload tasks; we provide intelligent partners who truly grasp your vision and help you achieve your big goals—building genuine, growth-focused partnerships that move the needle. While The Assistant Collective is my primary focus, I still personally handle a handful of core clients on a case-by-case basis, for those who need a more direct, highly specialized engagement.

We offer a comprehensive suite of services designed to address those pain points head-on. This includes everything from essential administration support like email and calendar management, booking, travel coordination, and document creation, to robust marketing assistance covering social media management (audits, content, scheduling, engagement across all platforms), email marketing, content creation (newsletters, blogs, press releases), and even podcast support. We also dive into tech support for integrations and troubleshooting, and even resource management like creating job ads, screening resumes, and supporting onboarding. Our ultimate goal is to streamline systems and processes, drive impactful marketing and storytelling, deliver stunning graphic design, and ensure 5-star customer service across the board. The valuable results for our clients are tangible: they regain precious time, increase their revenue, implement efficient systems, and ultimately, streamline their entire operations, leading to higher lead conversion rates and significant business expansion.

What truly sets The Assistant Collective apart is this unwavering focus on being a strategic partner rather than just a task-offloading service. We firmly believe a great assistant clears a client’s path, not just their to-do list. And it’s not just about finding great assistants for our clients; we invest deeply in their success too. We provide ongoing training, foster a thriving community among our assistants, and give them access to a network of experts, ensuring they’re always equipped to drive our clients’ businesses forward with the latest insights and best practices.

For any potential clients reading this, I want them to know that with The Assistant Collective, you’re not just hiring help; you’re gaining a dedicated, strategic partner absolutely committed to your success. We believe in working smarter, building strong, authentic relationships, and always finding a way to make things happen for you.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge were absolutely pivotal in my journey. And yes, I’m adding a bonus one because I’m definitely not one to always follow the rules!

First, and perhaps most foundational, is knowing your value and accepting that you are not for everyone. Early on, there’s a strong temptation to take any work, even if the pay undercuts your worth or the project doesn’t quite align. But learning to set my own standards – whether it was my pricing, service offerings, or even my work hours – and sticking to them, was crucial. It’s okay to say no; in fact, it’s essential for achieving your own definition of success.

Secondly, and this is non-negotiable for longevity, is the continuous investment and reinvestment in your knowledge, coupled with smart automation and systems. We all hit that wall where you’re desperate for relief. As one person running a business, you simply cannot do everything forever. Understanding the true worth of your time and actively finding ways to leverage technology and efficient processes to offset manual effort has been a game-changer.

My third, and perhaps most comforting, realization was the importance of finding industry peers you can learn from, lean into, and reach out to in times of need. Solopreneurship is a hefty responsibility, and it can be incredibly isolating and scary. It’s normal to question yourself, but having others who genuinely understand your journey provides invaluable confidence and direction. This very need for connection and shared experience was actually one of the core motivations behind forming The Assistant Collective.

And for my bonus, a vital one for anyone starting out: niche down. In a crowded space, trying to be everything to everyone dilutes your value. Getting to a point where you know exactly what you want to offer helps you distinguish yourself, stand out, and truly validate the unique value you bring to those who choose to align with you. It simplifies your message and attracts the right clients.

For folks early in their journey, my advice on developing these is simple:

1. For “Know Your Value”: Start by researching industry benchmarks, but then do a deep dive on what your time is truly worth to you personally and professionally. Practice saying “no” to small things that don’t align, and build that muscle. Your standards define your brand.

2. For “Invest in Knowledge & Automation”: Identify one repetitive task you do daily or weekly. Then, commit to finding one tool or learning one new shortcut that could automate or streamline it. Start small, be consistent, and watch how much time you reclaim.

3. For “Find Your Peers”: Seek out online communities, local meetups, or even just one or two mentors in your field. Don’t be afraid to ask for a virtual coffee chat. Authenticity is key – share your struggles as much as your wins, and you’ll build genuine connections.

4. For “Niche Down”: Look at your past projects or experiences. What did you enjoy most? Where did you deliver the most impactful results? Who were your favorite clients to work with? The answers will usually point you directly to your ideal niche. Then, unapologetically focus your messaging there.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

Reflecting on the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has definitively been in viewing knowledge itself as a critical asset, not a luxury. This mindset shift transformed how I approach my work and my business.

I had an “aha!” moment where I realized I’m only as valuable to my clients as my current, cutting-edge understanding of the market. This led me to a crucial strategic move: I now block out one full week each month from client meetings. This isn’t downtime; it’s dedicated, intensive learning – exploring new tools, attending industry sessions online or in person, and diving deep into market trends. This commitment directly fuels my service offerings and, more importantly, enhances the tangible value I bring to my clients.

Of course, AI’s rapid rise across every industry has underscored this even further. For me, the name of the game isn’t just knowing about AI, but understanding how fast I can learn to effectively harness these advancements to benefit what I do and how I drive results. What’s been eye-opening in this process is truly taking the time it deserves to evaluate what’s worth applying, what isn’t, and understanding the real cost-benefit involved with new technologies. Staying on top of what’s out there and what’s coming isn’t an option; it’s my job. If I don’t dedicate time to that, I’m simply risking my relevance and the quality of my services. This commitment to continuous learning as an asset has been crucial for staying ahead and ensuring I’m always offering the most effective solutions.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://savvyassistant.co/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raushanna-salhi/
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/savvy-assistant-co

Image Credits

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