We were lucky to catch up with Dayna Powell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dayna , thanks for joining us today. Growth is exciting, but from what we’ve seen across thousands of conversations with entrepreneurs it’s also dangerous if costs aren’t watched closely – sometimes costs can grow out of control outpacing revenue growth and putting the viability of the entire business at risk. How have you managed to keep costs under control?

Growth is a thrill, but wow if you’re not careful, costs can quickly get out of hand. I’ve seen it happen over and over. Expenses sneak up, and suddenly, they’re outpacing revenue, putting the whole business at risk.

What’s worked well for me and my clients is a super intentional approach: we only invest in systems we use daily. If a tool isn’t actively making a difference, we let it go. We also set budgets that grow with the business but keep spending in check, especially in areas like marketing and hiring. It’s about making every dollar work so we’re scaling smart, not just scaling for the sake of it.

One story sticks out: I had a client whose support costs doubled each quarter just eating into profits. Instead of hiring more support staff, we set up a chatbot to handle routine questions. This cut costs gave customers faster responses and let the support team focus on the complex stuff. That is scaling smart.

Small, intentional adjustments like these are what make growth sustainable and manageable.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Dayna Powell, and I bring a unique mix of strategy, empathy, and over 7 years of corporate call center experience to my work in business operations and client support. After a long corporate career, I knew I wanted to build something of my own that could blend my skills in organization and analytics with a focus on supporting ambitious entrepreneurs. That led me to start my business, focusing on administrative support, operations management, and project management for small to medium-sized business owners, solopreneurs, and ambitious female entrepreneurs.

I help clients design business processes and structures that truly align with their goals and lifestyles. My services include everything from ongoing operational support to specific solutions like LinkedIn audits and one-on-one sessions to enhance online presence.

What sets me apart is my combination of organization, strategy, and a people-first mindset. I don’t just see clients as projects; I build lasting relationships that allow them to thrive. I’m most proud of helping clients achieve more in less time, reducing overwhelm, and showing them how to get their voices heard in ways that truly resonate with their audience. I help them create a work-life dynamic that feels fulfilling and sustainable. I take pride in empowering my clients to show up as the thought leaders they aspire to be, with the support to make that vision a reality.

It’s been incredibly rewarding to work alongside driven clients who are making meaningful strides in their businesses and their lives.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

At the beginning of my business, I wasn’t practicing what I preached delegate to elevate. One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the belief that success meant doing everything myself. For a long time, I thought I had to be the one handling every detail, every task, and every decision. Coming from a corporate environment where self-sufficiency was often celebrated, I carried that mindset into my own business. I thought the more I could do on my own, the more successful I’d be.

But the reality hit when I found myself overwhelmed, constantly juggling too many things at once, and not feeling the balance or joy I’d envisioned when starting my own business. I realized that this “do-it-all” mentality wasn’t sustainable and was holding me back from focusing on what I was truly great at helping others grow their businesses.

It was a tough pill to swallow, but I learned that asking for help, delegating, and building a team around me were not signs of weakness—they were signs of strength. I had to shift my mindset to see that true success comes from collaboration, trust, and knowing when to step back and let others bring their expertise to the table. That lesson has been invaluable as I’ve grown my business and been able to support my clients in a much more effective, impactful way.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I’m originally from Kinston, Jamaica, and when I first started my business, I wasn’t very familiar with the online space. Visibility and networking were a struggle for me, especially as I was learning how it all worked. There was one particular moment that tested my resilience.

I had connected with a lady on LinkedIn, and she booked a coffee chat with me. When the time came for the meeting, she canceled. I thought maybe something had come up, but when I followed up to see what happened, she just read my message and unfollowed me. It stung. Honestly, I felt really sad and unsure of myself. It felt like a rejection not just of me but of the idea of connecting with someone from Jamaica, which added another layer of doubt to my journey.

I shared this experience with my mastermind group, feeling a bit down. But the support they showed me was incredible. They reminded me that setbacks are part of the process and that I can’t let one negative experience define my entire journey. Their encouragement helped me regain my confidence and reminded me of my purpose.

That moment became a turning point for me, strengthening my resilience to continue networking, growing my business, and not letting setbacks discourage me. It’s moments like these that push me to keep showing up, knowing that the right connections and opportunities will come when I stay true to my mission.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.daynavirtualservices.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heydayna_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeyDayna
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heydayna

Image Credits
Dayna Powell