LeaveittoLaynie

When you look around at the truly successful people that surround you, wether in the media, the business people we hear about or simply the person down the hall, it’s not readily known who has helped them along the way.  No one gets to where they are without a little bit of help from their friends.

I may not be at the top of my profession, however I do feel successful in my own way and I have a few people that I have so much gratitude for, that I feel it is time to tell you about my peeps who have helped me to where I am now.

My brother saw an opportunity for me that I didn’t see for myself.  Our mother had just passed away and I was deep in mourning.  Talking to a cousin, she said she needed some help with her Facebook interfacing with her website amongst other things. To me, this was an easy task.  We sat down and further discussed what she needed and I helped her.  It was my pleasure.  My brother saw this opportunity for me and told me I should set up shop.  After some sole searching and knowing I had a strong administrative background, I decided to become a Virtual Administrative Assistant. Sometimes all you need is a little push out of the comfort of your nest to start you on your path.

One of my first clients and I were talking after I had successfully helped her with her computer needs.  She asked me what my business’s name was.  I told her I hadn’t come up with anything that really caught my ear.  She was the one who came up with “Leave it to Laynie”. You can never underestimate the power of a good name.

During this time, I had been working with a family friend, being her assistant, working a few hours a week.  She purchased a laptop for me so I could do the work required.  She had started a side business that required Quickbooks.  Now I had learned Quickbooks during previous employment.  Also thru this friend, I reconnected with a friend of mine from years ago who was her accountant. He saw what I was doing and asked if I wanted more work.  You never know where your path will lead you.

Getting reacquainted with my friend the accountant has been an immense help in my travels along my success path.  Not only has he given me leads regarding his clients who have needed Quickbooks help, he had the confidence in my abilities when I had lost it for a moment.  Not only did he have confidence in me, he gave me MORE work.  It always helps to have a cheerleader in your corner.

On a recent trip, I got to know a parent of my kid’s friend.  We talked about what I was doing and she said she wanted to sit down with me to talk more about my business.  She helped zero in on a path that she felt would be the most rewarding and she was so right.  It helps to have a person who can help see thru the forest and set you on a path to a certain tree.

Another person who helped push me forward was a client of mine whom I met volunteering for a women’s networking group in my area.  We just clicked.  One day she said she wanted to sit down with me to talk about my business.  She was a small business owner of a service related industry like myself and she had some valuable insight that she shared with me…..Have potential clients want your business, not you.  Meaning, if I wanted to grow my business, I wouldn’t be able to work with every new client, but that I may be able to have a trusted employee who has my same work ethic and outlook serve that client.

Lastly, the person who has helped me is a silent partner.  My husband has never once said  to find a job that gives a regular paycheck and benefits.  Even when we could have used it.  Maybe because he has worked for himself for the past 28 years, he understands. He has supported me and has taken up some of the slack left by me when I was typically home taking care of what needed to be done on the home front.

I now have come full circle.  An acquaintance from my past has reached out to me for some insight.  She has worked as an Administrative assistant as I had, and I understand her skill set maybe more than others.  I hope to be a similar kind of mentor these seven have been to me.  By paying it forward, you can share the gratitude you have with others.