We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kristine Citarella. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kristine below.

Kristine, appreciate you joining us today. Crazy stuff happening is almost as certain as death and taxes – it’s technically “unexpected” but something unexpected happening is to be expected and so can you share a crazy story with our readers

On May 1st, 2023, I started what most people would call a dream job with steady pay and corporate benefits. But there was a catch. In the U.S., you have to work at a job for a full year before you qualify for maternity leave benefits. Soon after, I found out I was pregnant with my second son, due June 6th, 2024.

The timing was razor thin. With my first son, I delivered a month early, so I knew I was cutting it close. Every day leading up to that one-year mark felt like a game of chance.

During those long months of pregnancy, it hit me that corporate life was not designed for families. Between commuting, work hours, and exhaustion, most parents only get about an hour of real quality time with their kids during the week. That thought sank deep, and I knew I could not keep trading my family for a paycheck.

So I started laying the groundwork. I opened an Instagram account, joined a coaching program for new virtual assistants, and began marketing myself on the side.

Then on May 2nd, 2024, just one day after my one-year anniversary, I gave birth to my second son. I had barely qualified for maternity leave. That window of leave turned out to be the perfect runway to launch my business.

My first client came during that time and introduced me to another client, the incredible Mikki Bey. I was honest with her from the start. I needed to build enough income to walk away from corporate for good. About three weeks before my maternity leave ended, I was preparing myself to return to the office. One week before my official return date, corporate called me and laid me off.

It should have been terrifying, but instead it was a blessing in disguise. I went from maternity leave pay, to unemployment income, to building my client base. That cushion gave me the space to go all in on my business.

From there, everything clicked. I grew fast, replaced my corporate income, and proved to myself that this was possible. Now I feel unstoppable. The sky is the limit, and I am building toward multi six figures with the same determination that once had me racing against a due date.

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

I’m Kristine Citarella, CEO and founder of Spark OBM Agency. My business started after realizing corporate life was not sustainable for my family. During maternity leave with my second son, I began freelancing as a virtual assistant. Just before I was supposed to return to work, I was laid off, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise that gave me the push to grow my business full-time.

At Spark OBM, my team and I help online coaches simplify and scale with systems, team support, and creative execution. From streamlining operations to managing launches and social media, we free up our clients to focus on coaching and making an impact.

What sets us apart is that we do more than handle tasks. We build sustainable solutions that support long-term growth. I am most proud that I built this business while raising two young kids, creating freedom for my family, helping mompreneurs do the same, and creating opportunities for other moms on my team. Above all, I want people to know that scaling your business does not have to mean burnout. With the right systems and support, it is possible to thrive in both business and life.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for me has been referrals. My very first client introduced me to another, and that pattern has continued as my business has grown. I believe it comes down to the trust factor. When someone has a great experience working with me and my team, they are confident recommending us to others in their network. Those warm introductions often turn into long-term partnerships because the relationship starts with credibility already in place. Referrals have not only helped me grow quickly but have also connected me with clients who are a great fit for the way we work.

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

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was thinking I needed to have everything perfect before I started. When I first decided to freelance as a VA, I thought I had to have the right niche, the perfect website, and a polished offer before I could put myself out there. The truth is, if I had waited for all of that, I never would have gotten started.

Instead, I began marketing myself before I really knew what my audience wanted. I showed up on Instagram, shared what I could do, and started conversations. At the same time, I reached out to coaches to ask market research questions without trying to sell them anything. That mix of visibility and curiosity not only helped me learn what my audience actually needed, but it also allowed me to book my first clients faster.

The backstory taught me that clarity comes from action. You do not need everything to be perfect to start. You just need to start.

Contact Info:

• Website: spark-obm.agency AND spark-va.com
• Instagram: spark_obm

Image Credits

Professional headshots: https://timelinevisuals.com/