We recently connected with Maria Englehardt and have shared our conversation below.

Maria, appreciate you joining us today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

One of the most unexpected challenges I’ve faced came during a season of growth — which, ironically, is when I thought I had finally “made it.” My business was busy, referrals were rolling in, and I was saying yes to everything because I wanted to help everyone who came my way.

But behind the scenes, I was drowning in emails, projects, and late-night admin work. One night, I caught myself answering client messages from bed at midnight while my husband and dogs were asleep, and it hit me: I had built a business that looked successful from the outside but was quietly burning me out from the inside.

I remember feeling torn — grateful for the work but completely exhausted by the pace. That moment forced me to take a hard look at my systems and boundaries. I started to simplify, automate, and restructure. I began leaning on tools like HoneyBook and AI to handle the busywork so I could get back to doing what I actually love — connecting with clients, creating strategy, and building relationships.

The shift was life-changing. I learned that growth doesn’t mean doing more; it means doing better. And it’s okay to pause, reassess, and rebuild in a way that supports the life you actually want. That lesson has shaped everything I do now — in my business and in how I help others find that same balance.

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?

Hi, I’m Maria Englehardt — owner of Maria Englehardt Virtual Services, co-owner of The Traveling Passport, and co-founder of Hardt & Soul. I wear a few different hats, but at the heart of everything I do is one mission: helping people create more time and space for the things that truly matter.

I started my virtual assistant business after years in corporate America, where I learned a lot about organization, client relations, and leadership — but also what it feels like to be burned out and disconnected from what you love. I wanted freedom, flexibility, and purpose, so I took a leap and built MEVS from the ground up.

Today, I help small business owners simplify their systems, manage their operations, and finally get back their time. I specialize in HoneyBook CRM builds and automation, business organization, and AI-based efficiency strategies — the kind of behind-the-scenes support that turns chaos into clarity.

What sets me apart is the personal touch. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all templates; I believe in creating custom systems that actually reflect how you work best. My clients know I’m not just their VA — I’m their business partner, cheerleader, and sometimes therapist (with great playlists and snacks).

Outside of MEVS, my husband and I run The Traveling Passport, where we plan unforgettable vacations and destination elopements, and Hardt & Soul, our luxury home studio for branding shoots and creative projects. Each business was born from passion, purpose, and the belief that work should fit into your life — not take it over.

What I’m most proud of is the freedom and balance I’ve built — not just for myself, but for the clients I serve. Because of them, I get to live a life where I choose family first, create impact daily, and still make time for cooking, travel, and a good dance session in the kitchen with Cody and our pup, Nova.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about me and my work, it’s this: you can build a life and business that feels as good as it looks. And I’m here to help you make that happen — with a little strategy, a lot of organization, and maybe a few laughs along the way.

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

There was a season in my life when everything seemed to hit at once — business growth, personal loss, and health challenges. I was showing up for clients by day and holding myself together by night, all while trying to keep my business moving forward. From the outside, things looked fine. Inside, I was running on empty.

I remember sitting at my desk one afternoon, completely overwhelmed, staring at my to-do list through tears. That moment could have broken me — but instead, it became a turning point. I closed my laptop, took a deep breath, and made a promise to myself: this business would work for my life, not against it.

I started rebuilding from a place of intention. I refined my systems, embraced automation, created boundaries, and learned to ask for help without guilt. Slowly, things shifted — not just in my business, but in me.

That chapter taught me that resilience isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about giving yourself permission to pause, adapt, and keep going — even when life doesn’t follow your plan. Today, I carry that lesson into everything I do, helping others find balance and purpose in their own chaos.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A big lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that working harder automatically meant doing better. For years, I tied my worth to how busy I was. If I wasn’t constantly working, I felt like I was falling behind.

That mindset came straight out of corporate life — where hustle was glorified and rest felt like weakness. So when I started my own business, I carried that belief with me. I said yes to everything, answered emails at midnight, and convinced myself I was “building something.” But really, I was burning out.

The turning point came when I realized I had built a business that looked successful on paper but didn’t feel sustainable in real life. I was exhausted, disconnected, and missing the whole reason I started this — freedom, flexibility, and time with my family.

So, I unlearned hustle. I learned to trust rest. I built systems that support balance, and I gave myself permission to stop equating busy with productive.

Now, I measure success by how peaceful my days feel, not how packed my schedule is. That shift changed everything — in my business, my relationships, and my sense of joy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mevirtualservices.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maria_e_virtual_services/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VirtualAssistantME

Image Credits

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=branding%20by%20b%26e%20photography

Elena Burley