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

Hi Danielle, thanks for joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

During my difficult second pregnancy, I felt a little lost in all of motherhood and growing another baby. I needed something else just for me. And I quickly got over the bullshit imposter syndrome and reminded myself that I love learning so I can learn all I need to be successful as a virtual assistant.

Then I became super focused on a few tasks to get me started before I psyched myself out on getting my business (virtually) off the ground.
1. Created a business email
2. Watched a couple of YouTube videos and listened to some Podcasts on starting at virtual assistant business
3. Learned as much as possible that I started creating content to post on Instagram for my business

Then I just launched it on Instagram after shortly picking a name (which is not at all necessary to get started).

I was so proud of myself for actually putting this dream out there by stepping out of my comfort zone, and for being authentic to myself by trying my best to achieve the change I desired. It is scary to take a risk, but if it is something that stays on your mind then it is worth the effort to take the chance.

This whole process of entrepreneurship is challenging and comes with ups and downs. During it all, I found community and hope. I don’t regret it. It’s now been about two and half years of my business. It doesn’t look the same as when I first started. I have evolved and transitioned to focusing on providing support to those seeking Pinterest and blogging services to grow their business. I have worked with a diverse range of small businesses like photographers, coaches, even skincare. Most importantly, I enjoy developing and utilizing my skills in this way while being a stay-at-home-mom.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Once I became a teacher, I felt with all my being that this was what I was meant to do with my life. I was hoping to be that teacher in their same classroom at least a decade or two later, it was the dream. Even when I became pregnant with baby number one, I felt I would return to classroom the following school year.

However, that all changed for me once I held her in my arms, which was quickly followed along by the pandemic; I started to feel a shift in the woman I was becoming. The very difficult work-life-balance that I struggled to “maintain” in education was not going fit with my new desires and needs for a fulfilling career.

During this transition, my sister mentioned that the virtual assistants world might be something to consider. After a little research, I felt it sounded pretty interesting, but I felt like it was betraying all my hard work from my 7 year career as an educator. And it also felt that I was ditching my following teachers and students. I just couldn’t take the leap to become a virtual assistant with the tug of teaching pulling at my heartstrings.

Another life change later, I was settling into the newness of a move out of the area I have lived my entire life. The same sister, who also happens to be a elopement photographer, brought up the need for virtual assistance for small businesses. I really enjoyed the idea of working with other small businesses and helping their dreams. But now I was worried I wouldn’t be good enough to help others be successful. Like, did I have skills? What if I made mistakes? What if I failed? The imposter syndrome list goes on and on.

Suddenly I was pregnant with baby number two while being a stay-at-home-mom with an 18 month old. I won’t get into all the details, but I will say it was rough.

It was at this time in my life that I strongly felt there needed to be a change. It was at this time, I decided to get over the imposter syndrome and actually give it a shot at starting my virtual assistance business.

Now, two years later, I have learned so much in supporting other small businesses. Even my own business has evolved and transitioned to focusing on providing support to those seeking Pinterest and blogging services to grow their business. I have worked with a diverse range of small businesses like photographers, coaches, even skincare brands. I know this is only the beginning for my range of support services, and I can’t wait to see what else is out there!

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

I felt very conflicted with myself with the idea of leaving a career I loved, but burnt me out. I enjoyed being in the classroom teaching English language arts to middle schoolers. However, I never really got the balance between working and leaving work at work. My first pregnancy really opened my eyes at how much work I was taking home. It was something I worried about in the back of my mind, that I would be showing up more for my students than my own baby.

During this time, I was so conscious of my workload, that I actually started to get a better balance work life balance. Which made me proud of myself, after all it just took 6 years to finally see an improvement.

After speaking with an educator that I greatly admire about teaching as a new mom I saw things differently for myself. Let me explain one reason I admire her, this woman has been in her classroom for over two decades teaching passionately, she is basically a staple in the community, because whenever I tell other grown adults where I teach, so many relay with a smile that she was their Kindergarten teacher and loved her. After listening to my concern for leaving education or even taking a break from it, she told me that she left teaching to be a stay-at-home-mom with her own children for 13 years before returning to education.

I was utterly shocked by this conversation, my mind basically blown. Her drive to grow in her career is admirable and her passion is clearly visible. I NEVER thought that she would have ever parted from feeling that way.

The reason she is the way she is, is because instead of putting everyone’s else’s needs first, she put her own needs first instead. She made the choice to leave a profession for what she wanted in life, which was to be with her children. By taking care of her own needs, she was able to help others better and longer when she made the return to the classroom. I admire the strength it took to not feel bad for taking this route.

This conversation really stuck with me. It reminded me of the oxygen mask metaphor, you know from when you are on an airplane and you need to put your oxygen mask on first before helping others in need. In a time, where I personally feel, that women can and have to do it all, all the time because YES we are strong and capable. There is a self criticism that come with mindset in doing something that is outside of your comfort zone, that we can end up beating ourselves up about those choices.

To this day, she might not realize how much of an impact it meant to me and how it gave me the courage to leave teaching and it was something I thought about when I considered starting my business.

I hope that this inspires others, especially those who give so much to others, to consider your needs first, especially when you are stretched thin or feeling lost in the sauce of life.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

The thought of transitioning from teaching to entrepreneurship was super scary to me, because I was in it solo round. But before all that, I transitioned from a sales and marketing company to teaching. And before that, I was a collage student who worked as a assistant in a corporate setting. And I can go on and on, but life is full of transitions and changes that help us learn and grow, no matter the outcome. 

Even within my own business, I have learned a bunch of skills that support other small businesses from podcast editing to email organization. At first, I wanted to try it all to see what enjoyed the most. 

This is still a wide range of services to provide on any given day. It can be overwhelming to you as the provider, as well as to those seeking support from an effective and resourceful online service provider. That is why specializing (aka niching down) your services can be beneficial to your business. Of course you could do it all, but how it is helping you reach the people you really want to work with?

If you are on the fence with focusing your services because of the fear of missing out on potential clients, consider these 3 reasons to become an expert in what you enjoy most of your virtual assistant business.

My three favorite reasons to niche your business are:

Stronger brand identity – When you niche down your services your brand can authenticity reflect a more targeted brand image

Establishing an expertise – Taking the time demonstrating your expertise in your niche will position you as a go-to/ trusted authority of knowledge and skills

Improve marketing – Your niche helps you to refine your marketing message to actually reach those potential clients you desire to work with

Okay, so now you are actually considering a niche but don’t know where to start. I promise it won’t be as hard as starting your business. Since I seem to really like the number 3, below are 3 steps to get you started in specializing in no time.

Step 1: Self Reflect – Take some time to assess your strengths and interests in the areas of your business and how you support others. This way you can identify what you enjoy the most of your virtually assistant lifestyle. 

Step 2: Pick your niche – Identify what aligns best with your interests

Step 3: Embrace learning – Add to your experience by building on your education of your niche

You can do it!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://msha.ke/hersocialdesk
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hersocialdesk/
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/contactdaniellegarcia

Image Credits

Torez Marguerite Photography