We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tracy Bates a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tracy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

In 2018, the idea of starting my own business as a virtual assistant began to take shape. However, I found myself feeling stuck, trying to navigate the complexities of building a business while juggling a full-time managerial role in the service industry. Balancing schedules, managing life struggles, and training new employees left me feeling drained and burned out. Despite my desire for something more, I couldn’t seem to find a way to break free from the cycle of exhaustion so instead I just bared down in my job and dreamt of a better life.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on my life. As the virus spread, the service industry, where I worked, took a major hit. With in-person luxuries being the biggest contact points and spreaders of the virus, many of us in the industry faced uncertainty about the future of our jobs. I found myself among the many who were suddenly without work, navigating a landscape of unknowns and wondering if or when our jobs would be coming back.

So, in 2020, I took the time to step back and re-evaluate my life, really recovering from burnout. I enrolled in courses online to build out my dream business, dedicating myself to learning and growth. It was a period of reflection, dream-building, and transformation, laying the groundwork for what was to come. Finally, in 2021, I launched BizStreamlined, bringing my vision to life and embarking on a new chapter of my journey.

Fear of failure had held me back for too long and I sometimes think that starting sooner in 2018 would have helped propel my business growth, but I don’t think I was in the right place mentally for that change in my life. And while starting BizStreamlined when I did in 2021 had its challenges, it also had its advantages. The pandemic reshaped the landscape of work, making online businesses and outsourcing more accepted and even celebrated. It was a fortunate turn of events that allowed me to navigate the entrepreneurial world with more ease and confidence.

Looking back, if there’s one thing I wish I had done differently, it would be to start building my network and community sooner. In my first couple of years in business, I was so focused on the day-to-day tasks and perfecting my processes that I didn’t prioritize connecting with other entrepreneurs. However, in 2023, I shifted my focus and made building relationships a priority. I realized the immense value of leaning on other amazing entrepreneurial women, whether they were virtual assistants for 10 years or just starting out. Their support, guidance, and friendships helped me grow not only as a business owner but also as a person. I discovered that I wasn’t alone in the challenges I faced, and together, we continue to lift each other up, fostering a sense of community and empowerment that has been invaluable on my journey.

Tracy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My journey to where I am now has been quite an adventure. I’ve worn many hats throughout my life, from working with AmeriCorps to managing restaurants, running volunteer programs at food banks, and even serving as an elementary school employee. Each role has provided me with a unique set of skills and experiences that have shaped who I am today.

At BizStreamlined, I offer a range of services tailored to support women-owned businesses in streamlining their operations and enhancing their client experiences. From full Done-for-You Dubsado setups to strategy sessions, account audits, and executive admin services, I provide comprehensive solutions to address various pain points and challenges faced by entrepreneurs. With my Full Done-for-You Dubsado setups, I handle everything from customizing Dubsado accounts with beautiful and efficient designs to optimizing workflows and automating processes, ensuring that my clients’ systems are tailored to their specific needs and goals. Additionally, I offer strategy sessions to help clients identify opportunities for growth and efficiency within their Dubsado accounts, as well as account audits to assess their current Dubsado systems and identify areas for enhancement. My executive admin services are designed to provide ongoing support with tasks such as client onboarding, email management, and scheduling, allowing clients to focus on their core business activities. My services are aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs to thrive in their businesses by simplifying their operations and enhancing their client experiences.

One of the aspects of my business that I’m most proud of is the transformative impact I’ve had on my clients’ businesses and lives. Witnessing their growth, success, and newfound sense of ease and efficiency is incredibly rewarding. I genuinely love connecting with so many amazing women and being involved in their businesses. Seeing how excited they become when their processes start to make sense and they can do what they love with ease, without worrying about all the stuff going on in the background, is truly inspiring. My approach is rooted in honesty, transparency, and a genuine desire to see my clients flourish.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

In 2018, my perfectionism had a chokehold on me, paralyzing me with fear and preventing me from taking the leap into entrepreneurship. I was too afraid to start my business, convinced that unless everything was flawless, I couldn’t succeed. However, this mindset only kept me stagnant, unable to move forward. It wasn’t until 2020 when I was taking online courses for my business that I realized I had to unlearn perfectionism to make any progress. Letting go of the need for everything to be perfect was a transformative process, one that allowed me to break free from fear and self-doubt. Embracing imperfection became my greatest strength, propelling me forward on the path to success.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe that my commitment to openness, honesty, and genuine connection has played a significant role in building my reputation within the market. Rather than viewing other businesses as competition, I embrace collaboration and community, understanding that we all have unique strengths to offer. By prioritizing transparency and sharing knowledge instead of gatekeeping, I’ve fostered trust and loyalty among my clientele. I show up authentically, without any pretense or BS, and that authenticity resonates with those I work with, helping to solidify my reputation as a trustworthy and reliable resource in the industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bizstreamlined.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bizstreamlined/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy–bates/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bizstreamlined
• Other: https://www.bizstreamlined.com/dubsado-free

For Dubsado purchase, first time users only –  Use code: bizstreamlined when purchasing your Dubsado account for 30% off your first year or month

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