We recently connected with Folami Ankoanda-Thompson and have shared our conversation below.

Folami, appreciate you joining us today. Do you take vacations? Why or why not?

Do I take vacations? Absolutely, and I believe in them deeply.
In fact, the entire reason I started my company, 1921 Virtual Associates, was rooted in the belief that we, as business owners, creatives, parents, and community leaders, deserve and need to prioritize rest.

When I launched 1921 VA’s, my vision wasn’t just about providing virtual support services. It was about creating a movement, one where people, especially my friends, family, and fellow entrepreneurs, could take the power of a holiday or vacation seriously. I wanted to show that taking a break isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.

There’s something beautiful that happens when we intentionally pause. Whether it’s a weekend getaway, a two-week international trip, or just one unplugged day at home, vacation resets your body, your mind, and your spirit. It gives you perspective. It allows creativity to flow again. And when you bring your children into that rhythm, when they grow up seeing rest as a regular, honored part of life, you’re building a lifestyle, not just an escape. It’s similar to siesta cultures, where daily rest is normalized. That energy of rejuvenation spills into every part of life.

As a business owner, I had to build infrastructure and a team that could allow me to step away. That’s part of the discipline. It forces you to delegate, to trust, to put systems in place. The irony is: the more you plan for breaks, the better your business runs, because you’re not operating from burnout.

So my advice? Start building your business with rest in mind. Make it part of your vision. Set up your systems to support you when you’re away. Train your clients to respect your time off. Normalize vacation as part of your company culture, whether you’re solo or managing a team. When you do, you don’t just take a break, you come back better.

Folami, 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?

Thank you for the opportunity to share more about who I am and the heart behind what I do. My name is Folami, and I’m the founder of 1921 Virtual Associates (1921 VAs), a purpose-driven virtual assistant agency designed to help small business owners, creatives, and nonprofits run more efficiently, and with a lot less stress.

My journey into this work came from watching too many brilliant, overworked entrepreneurs, especially women of color who struggle to keep up with the demands of running a business while managing everything else life throws at them. I saw friends, family, and colleagues sacrificing their well-being, missing out on rest, and carrying the full weight of their businesses alone. I knew there had to be a better way. So I created one.

1921 VAs offers high-quality virtual support across three core areas: administrative services, social media management, and paralegal assistance. But beyond the tasks we complete, what we really offer is relief, efficiency, and space so our clients can focus on what they do best, grow their vision, and finally take a breath.

What sets us apart is our values. We’re not a faceless agency. We operate with integrity, care, and deep cultural awareness. Our client base is primarily women of color founders, community leaders, and creatives and we tailor our support to honor their unique needs, goals, and working styles.

Our team reflects the same diversity and intentionality. We are a mix of highly skilled men and women from around the globe, all committed to delivering consistent, high-quality service with heart.

The name “1921” pays homage to Tulsa’s historic Black Wall Street, a symbol of Black brilliance, entrepreneurship, and resilience. That spirit fuels our work. I’m currently based between Tulsa and Atlanta, and I take pride in building something rooted in legacy, liberation, and long-term sustainability.

What I’m most proud of is that 1921 VAs isn’t just helping businesses grow, we’re helping people reclaim their time, restore balance, and feel supported again.

So if you’re tired of doing it all alone, know that we’re here. Our mission is simple: to make your life easier, your vision clearer, and your business stronger one task, one system, one supportive hand at a time.

Have you ever had to pivot?

One of the most defining pivots of my life came at a time when everything seemed to be going perfectly. I was living a dream that many only imagine: an international entertainer, traveling the world with a legendary band, performing on some of the biggest stages, and in a 2 page spread August 2019, I was even featured in Vogue Paris. That was a huge milestone in my career and personal journey. I felt like I was finally being seen at the peak of my creative power.

But just a few months later, everything changed. The pandemic hit. Like many artists and touring professionals, my entire career came to a halt. The world shut down, and so did the life I’d built for myself up to that point. I had to pivot fast, not just to survive financially, but to stay grounded emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

That’s when I partnered with a family-owned business. My business partner’s family owned property, and we had the opportunity to launch a brick-and-mortar wellness retail store, selling THC and CBD products which, thankfully, was considered an essential business during the shutdown. It was more than just a store; it became a community refuge. We guided people through fear, grief, and uncertainty, helping them find some sense of wellness and balance during one of the most tumultuous times in recent history.

But the challenges didn’t stop there. As we tried to grow the business, we were hit with another wave of struggle — the revolving door of employees who were also coping with the pressures of the pandemic. The burnout was real. I needed virtual support, not only to manage the daily operations but to protect my own peace and quite honestly, my hair from falling out!

That moment birthed my next pivot: 1921 Virtual Associates (1921 VAs). What started as a solution for my own survival became a full-scale virtual support agency that now helps other entrepreneurs and small business owners reclaim their time and sanity. It was a pivot that came from pain, but it turned into purpose.

I won’t sugarcoat it, I took a huge financial hit. I dealt with depression. I juggled the emotional weight of uncertainty while still trying to be a light for others. But that season taught me something powerful:
I am resilient. I am resourceful. I am creative. And I am deeply committed to holistic living, no matter the storm.
Honestly, that pivot showed me I’m kind of a superhero, one with deep empathy, business acumen, and unshakable faith.

So when people ask me how I got into this line of work or why I believe so deeply in rest, support, and systems, this is why. I lived it. I built 1921 VAs not from a place of theory, but from a real need to survive and to keep others from burning out the way I nearly did.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

My advice for managing a team and maintaining high morale? Start by building a supported ecosystem from day one.

At 1921 Virtual Associates (1921 VAs), we understand that high morale isn’t just about perks or praise, it’s about sustainability, support, and wellness. Many of our team members are working virtually, often through the night to support clients across different time zones. That kind of schedule, without care and structure, can take a real toll physically, mentally, and emotionally.

That’s why I believe in getting to know the full person, not just their skills. I take time to learn about each team member’s livelihood, personal responsibilities, and capacity, and I check in regularly about their mental health.

Rest, sunlight, and boundaries are not optional, they are essential. I encourage my team to take breaks, to speak up when they’re overwhelmed, and to pivot systems when something isn’t working. We’re not afraid to reimagine how deliverables are managed so that people can transition through life’s demands without burning out. That could mean shifting hours, adjusting workloads, or redistributing tasks, whatever allows us to maintain both excellence and humanity.

The key is to create a culture where communication is open, honesty is met with solutions (not punishment), and wellness is seen as a strength, not a weakness. When people feel seen, supported, and safe to evolve, they naturally show up with pride, creativity, and purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.1921virtualassociates.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1921virtualassociates/
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/1921virtualassociates

Image Credits

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