We recently connected with Cynthia Smith and have shared our conversation below.
Cynthia , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
As a young 30-something, I have journeyed almost seven different career paths so far. I guess one could call me a “career nomad”! I graduated with a Bachelors and Masters in Social Work and worked in the field for about four years. In 2020, I decided to shift my focus and joined my father’s Real Estate company as a Realtor—which quickly turned into Operations Manager and Administrative Assistant. In 2021, an emerging small business approached me and I became an Executive Assistant and Project Manager. By 2025, I was still being sought out by businesses in my community to support their operations and systems in various ways.
On June 2, 2025, I was talking to a very chatty friend, lol, about how I could use my creativity and possibly create a new business or path to make more money! Among friends and family, I’m known for my intelligence, wit, and creativity. I’ve been told “everyone needs a Cynthia!” He went on for about 30 minutes straight building out a hypothetical business from idea to execution. Though I wasn’t inspired by that exact business idea, and was unsure of which direction I’d go, I did know that I needed to do something!
The next day I talked to a mentor of mine and asked her for business advice. Her response was something like, “if you don’t just build a virtual assistant business already!” The idea seemed too good to be true because it felt so simple, yet a really good idea! It made so much sense because it was work that I was already doing. I could use the skill set that I had, it did not require me to go get any more training, and I already had clients! I immediately started designing my business: the logo, the brand colors, registering my business—planning out all the details of it’s identity. I didn’t know if the idea would work, but I didn’t care because it was just too good not to execute!
Then on June 10th, the day I registered my business, my pastor sent me a text and asked “would you consider starting a virtual executive assistant business?” I immediately responded to her like ‘who told you and how did you know’?! It was God. At that point only 4 people knew I was building the business and none of them told her. That was my confirmation to keep building and not worry about anything– not the unknowns, not how I would gain new clients—nothing! I knew that it had to be a God-move because everything came together easily! He brought me the right resources, knowledge, and systems to make building Cenarie seamless! By June 25, Cenarie Business Solutions was a registered entity. I spent all of July building my website and business systems, and I launched on August 1st.
Cynthia , 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?
Hi, I’m Cynthia — the strategist, system-builder, and soul behind Cenarie Business Solutions.
With over a decade of experience in operations, administration, and project management — spanning nonprofits, real estate, and business consulting, I’ve built a career around solving problems, creating clarity, and helping people and systems work better together. I got into this industry because, no matter what role I held, people naturally came to me when things felt scattered, overwhelming, or unclear. That pattern became my calling.
I launched Cenarie because I saw too many visionary entrepreneurs stuck in the weeds of doing everything, not because they lacked talent or passion, but because they lacked the right kind of support. I built this company to be that support: strategic, thoughtful, and tailored to my clients.
I’m not just here to check tasks off a list. I’m a second brain, a clarity partner, and a go-to when clients need someone who gets both the vision and the details. My work is rooted in excellence, empathy and efficiency — and I take joy in helping clients create space for what they were truly called to build.
At Cenarie Business Solutions, I offer more than virtual support — I bring clarity to chaos, strategy to systems, and momentum to my client’s mission.
I specialize in both front-facing polish and backend brilliance, helping visionary entrepreneurs streamline operations, elevate brand presence, and reclaim their time. I solve problems like inconsistent workflows, lack of organization, overwhelmed founders, disjointed systems, and the constant pressure of trying to do everything alone. Whether you’re a solopreneur, CEO, or creative, I manage the operational details that make big ideas sustainable — creating space for what truly matters: your impact.
What sets me apart is the way I blend intuition, strategy, and structure. I don’t just complete tasks, I anticipate needs, build long-term systems, and support clients in a way that feels deeply personalized. I care about the heart behind the business just as much as the operations.
One thing I’m most proud of is how naturally this work has unfolded. I didn’t force this business, it found me. The fact that clients trust me with their vision, their systems, and their growth is something I don’t take lightly.
What I want potential clients to know is this: Cenarie is here to empower, execute, and elevate. Whether you need an executive-level right hand, an organized creative partner, or simply someone to get things off their plate so you can breathe again — I’m committed to supporting your journey.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn the mindset that staying to myself and flying under the radar was somehow safer or better for me. For a long time, I believed that being low-key protected me from judgement, from misunderstanding, from the pressure of being visible. But building a business forced me to confront how limiting that belief actually was.
When I launched Cenarie, I realized that if I wanted to create a successful business and show up in this world as my full self, I had to reframe my thinking. I had to get comfortable with being seen. Even simple things like reaching out to my network, asking for help, or meeting new people felt like huge hurdles. Putting myself on center stage and talking about who I am and what I offer used to make me want to shrink.
I still get nervous sometimes, but it makes me even more uncomfortable staying small and being my own biggest roadblock. It takes resilience and confidence to put myself out there knowing there’s a possibility of being rejected or misunderstood. But there is an equal, and honestly greater, possibility that I could be received well. Even as my imperfect, messy self, people can still connect with me, support me, and see me.
The lesson I had to unlearn was that hiding keeps me safe. The truth is: visibility is where opportunity lives. Who we are matters. What we carry matters. So the biggest thing I continually have to remind myself is this – get out of your own way!
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Networking, networking, networking!! People won’t know what you do unless you speak up and tell them. Even as a Realtor, most of my clients came from me simply sharing – through text, in person, or on social media – that I’m a Realtor, I do this for real, and I’m good at it! Perception is also reality sometimes, so don’t be afraid that you won’t know enough, wisdom is gained through experience. Show up as the subject matter expert, you’ll probably know more than most, anyway!
The same strategy continues to be the most effective for my virtual assistant business. I attend different networking events and meet all kind of people. Recently, I met a prospective client at an event. I introduced myself, told him what I do, and it just so happened that his company was looking for a virtual assistant. We had a meeting scheduled the next week. That moment reminded me that people won’t know unless you tell them who you are, and you have to say it with conviction.
Sometimes clients even come through your network’s network. I told a family friend that I was launching my business. She didn’t need my services, but a colleague of hers did. She made the introduction, and we connected immediately.
At the end of the day, the goal is to get your name, your face, and your business out there. Keep showing up, even if others don’t. The consistency pays off.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.cenarie.com
- Instagram: _cenarie_
- Facebook: Cenarie Business Solutions
- Linkedin: https://Linkedin.com/in/cynthia-smith-cenarie
Image Credits
Reeshema Wood Photography (for the two professional headshots)