We recently connected with Kimberley Zagyva and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimberley, thanks for joining us today. We love asking folks what they would do differently if they were starting today – how they would speed up the process, etc. We’d love to hear how you would set everything up if you were to start from step 1 today

If I had the chance to start over today, I’d definitely approach things with more clarity and a stronger support system right from the start. Honestly, my journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t exactly meticulously planned. It was more like being thrust into the deep end due to my family circumstances at the time. So, I found myself diving in without a clear roadmap.

Reflecting on it now, one thing I’d definitely change is seeking out a community of fellow entrepreneurs much earlier. Going solo might sound adventurous, but having a like-minded support network to bounce ideas off of and share the rollercoaster ride would’ve been a game-changer.

Another big lesson learned: resist the temptation to follow the crowd blindly. When I started out as a virtual assistant, there was this huge hype around transitioning into social media management. So, naturally, I went along with it. But you know what? It just wasn’t my cup of tea.

So, if there’s one piece of advice I’d give my past self, it’s this: stay true to what you love and what you’re good at, even if it means swimming against the current. Following your own path beats trying to fit into someone else’s mold any day.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Kim, originally from the UK and currently residing in Hungary, where I juggle the joys of motherhood with running my own business. My journey into entrepreneurship began in 2019, amidst challenging circumstances. After my husband unexpectedly lost his long-term job, we found ourselves facing financial strain, especially living in a remote Hungarian village with limited job opportunities. With two small children and a newborn to care for, the pressure was on.

In a desperate search for remote work opportunities to alleviate the financial burden, I stumbled upon Upwork. Despite its mixed reputation, Upwork became a lifeline for us. Drawing upon skills from my previous roles in the UK, I initially took on admin projects through the platform. However, it was landing a significant long-term client, a Virtual Assistant Coach, that paved the way for the business I run today.

Fast forward four years, and I’m proud to say I’ve established myself as an Executive Virtual Assistant, primarily supporting established businesses, particularly female coaches, with a range of services including admin support, client management, and streamlining systems and processes. More recently, I’ve expanded my offerings to include web design services.

Beyond my client work, I’m also the co-founder of The Hive community, a platform dedicated to providing support and guidance to female entrepreneurs. Meeting my co-founder Kat online underscored the importance of women uplifting and empowering each other in business. Through The Hive, we aim to foster a sense of community and solidarity among female entrepreneurs, recognizing the immense value in collaboration and mutual support.

What sets me apart is not just the services I provide but also my commitment to fostering a supportive community of female entrepreneurs. My journey from a place of uncertainty to building a successful business has given me a deep appreciation for the importance of collaboration and empowerment among women in business. If there’s one thing I want potential clients and followers to know, it’s that beyond the services I offer, I’m dedicated to championing women’s success and creating a stronger, more inclusive business community.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Growing up, my parents instilled in me the values of honesty and integrity. They always emphasized doing the right thing, and I’ve carried that ethos into every aspect of my life, including my business endeavours. In a world where it’s tempting to say “yes” to everything or to “fake it until you make it”, I’ve chosen a different path. I believe in being upfront about my capabilities and limitations. If there’s something I can’t do, I’ll say so, but I’ll also make it clear that I’m willing to put in the effort to learn.

For me, there’s no room for selfishness in business. Success is a two-way street, and it’s built on mutual respect and trust. My no-nonsense attitude and unwavering commitment to supporting my clients with integrity, friendship, honesty, and loyalty have been key in maintaining my reputation and, ultimately, not only my success but my client’s success also.

How’d you meet your business partner?

The story of how I met my co-founder/business partner is a testament to the power of connection and shared vision. It all began back in 2019 when I enrolled in a coaching program led by Kat, who was specializing in social media marketing. At the time, there was this widespread shift from being virtual assistants to social media managers, and I thought I’d give it a shot.

Kat was an incredible coach, but as I delved deeper into the world of social media marketing, I realized it wasn’t my true passion. I loved being a virtual assistant, and that’s where I wanted to focus my efforts. Despite this realization, Kat and I developed a strong bond during our coaching sessions and continued to stay in touch every day over Slack.

Over the course of two years, our virtual connection grew into a deep friendship and mutual support system. Despite never having met in person, we were there for each other through the ups and downs of our entrepreneurial journeys. It was like having your work bestie sitting next to you in the office, except we were thousands of miles apart.

As we shared our dreams and aspirations, we realized we both had a desire to give back to the community and support other women in a meaningful way. We wanted to create a space where women could connect, learn, and grow without the pressure of conforming to a specific career path like virtual assistants or social media managers.

And so, The Hive was born. We launched our community/business with a shared vision of providing genuine support and empowerment to women like us. Despite not having met in person yet, our virtual connection and shared values fueled our collaboration. Today, The Hive is a thriving community of women from all corners of the globe, coming together for co-working sessions, networking events, workshops, and, of course, our beloved Monthly Wine Downs for some good old-fashioned girl talk.

Our journey is a testament to the power of virtual connections and the importance of fostering supportive communities in the online space. And while some of us have had the opportunity to meet in person, our bond remains as strong as ever, driving us forward in our mission to empower women in business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kimberleyzagyva.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/kimberley.zagyva
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberleyzagyva
• Other: The Hive Community- 1st month FREE: https://nas.io/the-hive-female-business-community-zow0?discountCode=THEHIVETRIALONE