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

Elaina , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

To be successful, it takes a lot of hard work and determination. You have to be persistent and dedicated to the kind of work you are choosing to do. Starting my own business wasn’t always easy, but I was dedicated to what I was starting. I kept getting back up when I would fall. There were so many failed interviews, jobs, and projects. But, I stayed persistent.

Elaina , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My business is to assist businesses and influencers with content creation, administrative support, video editing, and whatever they need. I started out being an administrative assistant in a real estate office which is where I fell in love with social media. I ran all of their social media accounts and really got into Canva (a content creation website). I didn’t love working the 9-5 lifestyle and I didn’t want to work under someone else, which led me to finding out about virtual assistants. I found this program, “The Live Free Academy” and it got me started with how to become a virtual assistant, how to write contracts, how to run my own business essentially. I was a virtual assistant for about a year, and it was great but I wasn’t passionate about the work I was doing. I’ve always loved the idea of being a video editor/ content creator, and that’s when I found another program, “The Influencers Assistant Course.” I learned how to edit videos, how to follow trends, how to pull audio from trending videos, etc. I loved it! I just began on my journey to work with influencers who create content that I love to watch. I’ve began to do video editing and content creation that I love, and I’m really loving it. I’m most proud of the fact that I did it. I jumped in with two feet. It was scary leaving my stable and safe job but I’m blessed enough to have a partner that supports me on this journey. I believe what sets me apart is my determination. I have worked so hard for everything I’ve accomplished so far. I’ve sent so many cold pitch emails, I’ve had SO many calls with amazing business owners, and I have done my research. I’ve had the greatest time growing with the business owners that I have had the opportunity to work with. This is only the beginning for me.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

I believe the most effective strategy to grow your clientele is to be a great business owner! Complete tasks on time, fulfill the needs of your client, and communicate! I’ve had some amazing clients who have had to let me go for one reason or another, but they’ve always referred me to their friends who are looking for an assistant. The greatest way to gain business is word of mouth, and if you are doing everything you should in these working relationships – you are guaranteed referrals!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is seeing the finished product. I love receiving clips from potential youtube videos, and creating them into something amazing that others will watch and enjoy. I love seeing the looks on my clients faces when they see the final product and love it. It’s just so fun to be doing something I love to do, and being able to do it for amazing people that I admire.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: elainagrove
• Linkedin: Elaina Grove