We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Keturah Wicks a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Keturah, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump right into the heart of things. Outsiders often think businesses or industries have much larger profit margins than they actually do – the reason is that outsiders are often unaware of the biggest challenges to profitability in various industries – what’s the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?
One of the biggest challenges to profitability in our industry is educating clients on the value of professional support services and the cost of expertise.
Many people underestimate the amount of effort, time, and skill that goes into providing top-notch administrative and event planning services. Virtual administrative work, for example, requires not only organizational skills but also specialized knowledge in tools, systems, and workflows. Event planning, on the other hand, involves intricate coordination, vendor negotiations, and meticulous attention to detail. While the outcomes may seem seamless, achieving them involves navigating unforeseen challenges and consistently delivering excellence.
One story that highlights this challenge occurred when a client initially hesitated to invest in administrative support for their growing business. They perceived it as an added expense rather than a strategic investment. After collaborating with us, they quickly realized how our services freed up their time, allowing them to focus on business growth, which ultimately increased their revenue. The initial hurdle was helping them understand that outsourcing professional services is not a cost but a value multiplier.
Additionally, another factor impacting profitability is the ever-changing demands of the market. For instance, during economic shifts, some businesses reduce their spending on support services or attempt to DIY critical tasks, which can lead to inefficiencies or costly mistakes. Educating potential clients on how our services save money and prevent long-term setbacks is a constant yet necessary effort.
Profitability in this space comes down to building trust, effectively communicating value, and consistently exceeding expectations. These are challenges we face head-on with every client interaction.
Keturah, 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?
At Be Enlightened, LLC, we specialize in providing virtual administrative services and event planning solutions to business owners, corporations, non-profits, and government entities. Our mission is simple yet impactful: to help organizations and individuals reclaim their time, streamline their operations, and elevate their professional presence.
How We Got Started:
Be Enlightened, LLC was born out of a passion for organization, efficiency, and empowering others to focus on what they do best. As someone who has worked in various professional environments, I saw firsthand how overwhelmed businesses can become when administrative tasks or event logistics consume their focus. I wanted to create a solution that allowed businesses to operate seamlessly while achieving their goals, and that’s how Be Enlightened came to be.
What We Offer:
We provide a range of services tailored to our clients’ needs, including:
Virtual Administrative Services: From calendar management and email correspondence to creating workflows and systems, we handle the behind-the-scenes tasks that keep businesses running smoothly.
Event Planning: Whether it’s a corporate conference, a non-profit gala, or a private event, we specialize in crafting memorable experiences through meticulous planning and flawless execution.
The Problems We Solve:
Our services solve some of the most common challenges businesses face:
Time Management: We free up time for our clients so they can focus on strategic growth instead of being bogged down by administrative details.
Efficiency: By introducing streamlined systems and processes, we help businesses run more effectively.
Event Expertise: We take the stress out of event planning, ensuring every detail is handled so our clients can enjoy the event as much as their guests.
What Sets Us Apart:
What truly sets Be Enlightened apart is our personalized approach and commitment to excellence. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions; instead, we take the time to understand each client’s unique needs and create custom strategies to help them succeed. We also pride ourselves on our professionalism, reliability, and ability to exceed expectations.
What We’re Most Proud Of:
We’re incredibly proud of the relationships we’ve built with our clients and the transformations we’ve been able to facilitate. Whether it’s helping a small business owner regain control of their schedule or organizing a landmark event for a major organization, the positive impact we’ve had on our clients’ lives and businesses is what motivates us every day.
What We Want You to Know:
Be Enlightened, LLC isn’t just about completing tasks or checking boxes, it’s about empowering businesses to thrive. We believe that when you lighten the load for others, you give them the freedom to focus on their true purpose and potential. That’s the heart of everything we do.
If you’re looking for a partner who will treat your business like their own and bring order to your chaos, we’d love the opportunity to work with you. Let us help you shine!
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
At Be Enlightened, LLC, resilience has been the foundation of our journey since we informally launched in 2021. One story that truly illustrates this is how we navigated the challenges of starting and growing a business during the height of the pandemic.
When I started Be Enlightened, I was passionate about helping businesses thrive by taking on the administrative tasks that often overwhelm them. However, launching a virtual administrative services company during a time of global uncertainty was no small feat. Many businesses were struggling, budgets were tight, and there was widespread hesitation about outsourcing support services.
Instead of viewing these challenges as roadblocks, I saw them as opportunities to prove the value of what we offer. I focused on showing businesses how our virtual administrative services could help them operate more efficiently, save time, and regain focus on their core mission, especially during such unpredictable times. This required not only adaptability but also a deep commitment to building trust with potential clients.
One story that stands out was working with a small business owner who was overwhelmed by the demands of running her growing company. Initially, she was hesitant to invest in virtual support, fearing it would be an unnecessary expense. But after walking her through how we could streamline her operations, we began collaborating, and within weeks, she was seeing the difference. Our support freed up hours of her time, allowing her to focus on growing her business, and ultimately, her revenue increased significantly. That moment reaffirmed for me why Be Enlightened exists: to empower businesses to thrive.
Resilience, for me, meant embracing uncertainty with confidence and persistence. It meant doubling down on the belief that what we offer is essential and finding creative ways to connect with and serve our clients. Despite the odds, we grew steadily gaining trust, refining our services, and building relationships with clients who now see us as an indispensable part of their team.
This journey has taught me that resilience isn’t just about weathering the storm; it’s about finding your purpose in it and emerging stronger. At Be Enlightened, we’re proud of the trust we’ve built and the value we’ve delivered, and we’re excited to continue helping businesses shine.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the most important lessons I had to unlearn as the founder of Be Enlightened, LLC was the belief that “busy equals productive.” When I first started the business informally 2021, I felt the pressure to constantly fill my days with tasks, projects, and activities to prove that I was working hard and making progress. It was almost as though my sense of accomplishment was tied to how busy I appeared, even if some of that busyness wasn’t directly moving the business forward.
The turning point came during a particularly demanding period early in Be Enlightened’s journey. I was juggling client work, marketing, networking, and countless administrative tasks for my own business. My to-do list never seemed to end, and while I was always “busy,” I wasn’t seeing the growth or efficiency I had envisioned. Worse, I felt burned out, overwhelmed, and disconnected from the purpose that inspired me to start the company in the first place.
After taking a step back, I realized that being productive wasn’t about doing more, it was about doing what mattered most. I began to reassess how I approached my time and energy. I prioritized high-value tasks, outsourced what I could (yes, even CEOs need help sometimes!), and implemented systems to streamline both my own workflow and the services I provide to clients.
This shift in mindset didn’t just transform how I operated Be Enlightened, it also deepened the value I offer to clients. Many of the businesses I work with struggle with the same “busy versus productive” mindset. By helping them implement efficient systems, delegate tasks, and focus on their priorities, I’ve been able to guide them through a similar transformation.
Unlearning the “busy equals productive” mentality has allowed me to lead Be Enlightened with clarity, purpose, and focus. It’s a lesson I carry with me in every client interaction and one that continually fuels the passion behind what we do: creating space for others to thrive by focusing on what truly matters.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/enlightenllc_?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=e92e37d8-9487-4b0a-9217-ce7858cd5d9d
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enlig_htenllc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/be2enlightened
- Youtube: @BE2ENLIGHTENED
