We were lucky to catch up with Brenda-lee Lethbridge recently and have shared our conversation below.

Brenda-Lee, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

My very first client came from a local Facebook group. I had just left my full-time job for a number of reasons – A toxic work place environment, I was experiencing extreme health issues due to endometrioses, and I needed to be able to provide an income for my family, while also having flexibility and time freedom that comes with working at home with kids AND chronic illness.

I have a background in sales and branding – I knew all things admin – So it was a natural transition to become a Virtual Assistant with a marketing flare. Because of this background, I knew I had to start networking. I joined as many local Facebook groups as I could. I started a spreadsheet that could help me keep track of my efforts, posted according to group rules, all the things I was taught in my sales experience (knocking on doors) but virtually! NEtworking in these groups can be rewarding if you do it right.

My philosph is GIVE GIVE GIVE – I went into these groups, and I provided as much advice and knowledge as I could, I started conversations, made connections with other businesses, and of course, I made sure to post those “sales” posts introducing myself to the community and what I offer – Because if you don’t talk about your offer, how do people know you have something to sell?

Within 3 weeks, I booked my first non-family/friend/etc. client. They were a local Mortgage Broker, they needed help with social media management, (At the time, I thought that meant I had to do all the work; graphics, ideas, copy, caption, etc., so I only charged $500 a month!) I know better now…

This was a humbling first client! I severely underestimated the amount of work that goes into proper management of social media, but, they were an amazing team to work with, and they ended up referring me to several more people in the industry – Within another 3 weeks, I onboarded another 3 long term clients all because I got to work with that first one.

Brenda-Lee, 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 has evolved quite a bit. When I first decided to leave the 9-5 grind, I thought I’d offer social media management and general virtual assistant services. Fast forward four years, and I’ve grown into the role of an Online Business Manager (OBM). It all started one day when I was scrolling through Tiktok and came across a creator claiming she was making 10K a month while traveling the world. At first, I just scrolled by, but the idea stuck with me. One day, While Sitting at my toxic 9-5, I realized that I could do that too. I could make money online and have the freedom to live life on my terms. That night, I went home, had a heart-to-heart with my husband about my work experiences, my health problems, and made the decision to quit my job and start my own journey.

Today, I’m an Online Business Manager, and I specialize in working with creative educators who are turning their passions into profitable online courses and memberships. I absolutely Geek out over automation and email marketing – the magic of connecting with your audience, building trust, and nurturing those relationships through creative and strategic funnels. My one-on-one services include everything from editing course content and creating course materials to managing platforms, email marketing, sales funnels and engagement efforts. I’m here to take care of the back-end work so my clients can focus on what they do best – Being creative!

The biggest problem my clients face is finding time freedom while juggling their creative pursuits and business responsibilities. They excel at the creative side – coming up with amazing ideas and content – but the execution and back-end business tasks don’t come easily. That’s where I step in. What sets me apart is my deep understanding of both worlds. I have a strong grasp of marketing and creativity , but I also thrive on data, automation, and technical side of things. I bridge the gap between creativity and strategy, making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.

I am most proud of the fact that I’ve built a business that allows me to be fully present in both my work and my family life. I want my clients and followers to know that you don’t have to choose between being a mother and being an entrepreneur – You can do both, and do it with balance. My brand is all about helping others find that same harmony, empowering them to pursue their passions, and showing them that it is possible to have time for self love, creativity, and success in business.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Networking has been, by far, the most effective strategy for growing my clientele. I started by joining free Facebook groups and approached networking just like I did in my previous sales role. I engaged in conversations, answered as many questions as I could, and focused on demonstrating my expertise without directly “Selling”. This approach helped me build trust and establish myself as a knowledgeable resource.

As I gained more confidence, I transitioned to paid groups and the quality of leads skyrocketed. The people in these groups were more committed and valued the networking opportunities much more than those in free groups.

Now, I make it a point to network by joining and actively participating at least 3 times a week In communities where my ideal clients are. I’m involved in several memberships, constantly surrounding myself with women who resonate with my brand and services. This ongoing connection with my target audience has been key to not only growing my clientele but also building meaningful, long-term relationships.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Just over a year ago, my battle with endometriosis hit an all-time low. It was incredibly difficult to get out of bed each day, let alone be fully present for my business and my family. I finally saw a light at the end of the tunnel when I scheduled life-changing surgery for my endo, but I knew I would need time to heal. Being self-employed, the idea of taking time off to recover was daunting! It’s not like I can ask my boss to take a 6 week vacation … Unfortunately, I ended up losing half of my business during that period.

After a rough recovery, I found myself starting over from what felt like square one. My business seemed like it was on the brink, my mental health was suffering from the stress of illness, and I Was feeling deeply depressed. But then I met a life coach, who became a pivotal part of my comeback. Through a series of one-on-one sessions, I started introducing light workouts into my daily routine and rediscovered some of my own. Passions, and rebuilt my business.

Today, not only am I healthier in mind body, and soul, but my business is thriving like never before. My current clientele is perfectly aligned with my vision – I’ve raised my prices, I’m working fewer hours, and making more than I ever did before. This journey taught me the power of resilience and the importance of prioritizing my health and well-being. I’m proud of the growth I’ve experienced, both personally and professionally, and I’m excited for what the future holds

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brendaleeva.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendalee_va/
• Other: tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brendalee_va

Image Credits

Sarah Lethbridge