Meet Tovey Blake

We recently connected with Tovey Blake and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tovey, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

To best answer this question, I need to start from the beginning. I grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I spent more than half of my elementary stint being the only black kid in the class.

It was only when I moved to Toronto, Ontario, Canada in my pre-teens that I experienced seeing people who looked like me in the school system.

In my friend group we were our version of United Colors of Benetton (I am sure I am aging myself, lol). I still have some great friends to this day. In retrospect, it truly was a beautiful time.

I moved back to Edmonton when I was about to enter junior high. It was not until I entered high school though that I would have the experience of having my first black female teacher while attending an Edmonton Public School.

Ms. Ali.

I never forgot her because she poured into me as a young woman trying to get comfortable in her skin. She got cancer in my graduating year. I was so upset, but she still showed up for most of the semester every day to teach, even while going through treatments.

In retrospect, I know her showing up had mostly to do with us kids and very much her strength of character, but I wonder if her being the only one in the room who doesn’t look like everyone else played a part in it.

It was nice for the first time while attending an educational institution in Edmonton that I experienced a strong presence within each of the different racial and ethnic groups: African, Caribbean, Northeast Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latin. Though, it didn’t come without its own set of challenges.

I remember when I got my first job as a telemarketer, they told to me use my middle name (Ann) instead of Tovey (Toe-vee) – according to them “no one would able to pronounce it”. I wasn’t dumb, it was too ethnic.

FUN FACT: My name originates from Norwegian-born American businesswoman, Tova Borgnine, wife of actor Ernest Borgnine.

All that to say, I only learned to start being effective/successful by being the only one in the room looking like me when I did the following:

1) Understanding that being the sole person resembling me in a room is a lasting reality.

2) Removing service offerings that I hated doing (ie. offering in-person services through advertising as being virtual and taking minutes specifically).

3) Stop taking on projects for only monetary gain, I want to clarify I didn’t take on these jobs because I was greedy, I was a single mother who always had to have supplementary income, so YES, I took on projects just to be able to take care of my daughter. #noshame #iwoulddoitalloveragain #thegirlismine #ajb #grateful #blessed

4) Stop allowing potential clients to lowball me because according to them “I didn’t have the “experience”, when the fact was that I knew I was being offered 20-30% less than my white counterparts in the same field and at times less practical experience.

5) My exploratory call process became more in-depth and my Core Values became the foundation of my gut check and whether I would take them on as a client.

6) Realizing my work style is not for everyone and being okay with that.

7) Seeing myself how God sees me (Psalm 139:14).

In my opinion, although better, there is still more work to be done to have more successful women of colour in the Virtual Assistant (VA) industry. #womenbuildinglegacies

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?

I spent the rest of last year re-evaluating if I still had it in me to provide the consistent quality services that most of my clients have become so accustomed to and I very much pride myself on.

Earlier last year, I released a new service offering called Recharge Your Operations. It focuses on helping clients understand the importance of having efficient operational workflows in place if they want to have a successful business at any stage: starting, growing, or scaling.

As well, it will help to eliminate waste time, redundancies, and bottlenecks so that stellar systems and automation can be integrated into the daily operations, reinvigorate productivity, and allow team members to spend quality time with loved when they have down time.

As a result, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are never really a priority. I tell you this is the #1 thing that impacts my clients’ and my peers’ business growth and/or sustainability. This is especially true when “life happens” and decides to “Macho Man” Randy Savage Flying Elbow Drop you. #missmysweetgirl

You will find it hard to implement the right systems if there is not a clear understanding of how each step in the process contributes to your customers consistently receiving the ultimate experience, whether they are buying a product/service from you immediately or in the future.

During my “mini sabbatical”, I was able to get inspired again. It provided me with clarity on where I can add the most value – either as a for-profit or not-for-profit. We are currently undergoing a holistic revamp that is committed to serving and transforming heart-centred businesses to:

• Establish deeper connections with individuals wanting to make a lasting impact beyond the present;
• Address the consequences of fragmented processes on revenue; and
• Fine-tune workflows to maximize customer value, retention, and referrals.

If you want to stay in the know of what is going on with this and that, follow me on Instagram at @abovelladminsupport or subscribe to our newsletter on LinkedIn through the company page Above All Admin Support Services.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

These are the top three qualities, skills, and areas of knowledge that have had the most impact on my journey to date:

1. Servant Leadership

As a servant leader, my primary goal is to serve others. I prioritize the growth, well-being, and success of others above my own. Sales are never my priority. I am here to assist in helping my clients and students realize their full potential through the gifts I have been blessed with. If I am not helping my clients achieve their ideal life and/or paying it forward, then honestly what is the point?

First: two-way communication. One of the characteristics of being a servant leader is interpersonal acceptance, which is the ability to understand others’ perspectives. Sales & exploratory calls are opportunities that allow you to develop this.

Ask questions and listen beyond what is being expressed, this is the only way to get the information you need to be able to show that you have the best solution to the problem being presented.

Finally, it is my belief, that we are all stewards – all recipients and caretakers of God’s many gifts. Even in the challenges – be grateful for what you have received and be eager to cultivate your gifts out of regard for wanting each other to be victorious in life and business.

2. Continuous Learner

You will never be able to keep up with every application even if you want to.

I do feel as an administrative leader who is rooted in most of my clients’ operations, it is my responsibility to keep up as much as humanly possible with best practices, trends, systems, applications, and processes in the virtual assistant industry.

I need to be able to have a variety of the best-recommended tools & resources for my partners to always be in the position to work smarter, not harder.

3. Setting Boundaries

You must set boundaries from the get-go to prevent your well from going dry and being taken advantage of. Prioritizing others doesn’t mean putting yourself last, compromising your values, or tolerating any type of disrespect. You will drive yourself to burnout, build resentment, and start questioning if the work you do is adding value like you think it is.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

My business partner, Jovica Prince of Little House Technologies, and I registered and are formally bringing our non-profit called Women Building Legacies (WBL) to the masses this year.

WBL’s purpose is to support women in breaking generational patterns of scarcity and struggle in exchange for knowledge, resources, and new ideas.

We are looking to build long-term meaningful, connections with other heart-centred, women-led businesses and entrepreneurs.

The goal is to create a hybrid community that empowers young, marginalized women to create a fruitful life through the expertise, guidance, support, and life experiences of established women who were once where they were.

If you or anyone you know fits one or all the profiles below and want to be part of our inaugural event or any other collaboration, please email Tovey Blake at tovey@abovealladmin.ca. Put “Women Building Legacies” in the subject line please.

A podcast host who can help amplify our cause by inviting on us an episode guest;

Women who advocate and motivate within the woman empowerment space;

Women-led businesses and entrepreneurs interested in imparting practical business wisdom based on their area of expertise; and/or

Motivational storytellers, speakers, coaches, and mentors.