We were lucky to catch up with Nicole Magelssen recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nicole, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How do you think about vacations as a business owner? Do you take them and if so, how? If you don’t, why not?

Before I hired a virtual assistant, I felt like I was tied to my business 24/7. Taking a vacation meant bringing my work with me or spending the whole time worrying about what I’d come back to. I had been telling everyone about the power of delegation, but I hadn’t yet taken that step myself because I felt like, as a CEO, I had to do it all. But after hiring a VA, everything changed. I was able to take my first real vacation to Cancun, and then another to New York City, and truly disconnect. It was a game-changer for my mental health and the growth of my business. I realized I didn’t have to do everything on my own and that delegating could open up new opportunities both personally and professionally. As a business owner, keeping things going while stepping away can seem daunting, but it’s all about building trust and delegating effectively. My advice to entrepreneurs who feel like they can’t take a short vacation is to start by finding a virtual assistant (VA) you truly trust. This trust is crucial because you’ll need to hand over sensitive information like passwords and the ability to communicate with your clients.

I know this can feel like a huge leap—believe me, I was in the same boat. Even though I was always talking about the power of delegation, I hesitated to take that step because, as a CEO, I felt I had to do everything myself. But once I found the right VA and took the time to train them and build that trust, it changed everything. I was able to take my first real vacation without worrying about what was happening with my business.

A trusted VA can truly take over when you’re away, handling client communications, managing day-to-day operations, and putting out fires. This allows you to disconnect and recharge, knowing your business is in good hands. It’s not just about freeing up your time; it’s about creating a business that can run without you. So, find someone you trust, give them the tools and information they need to succeed, and take that break—you and your business will be better for it.

Nicole, 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?

I’m Nicole Magelssen, the founder and CEO of Alpine Virtual, where we specialize in pairing CEOs and business owners with exceptional U.S.-based virtual executive assistants. My journey into this industry started almost a decade ago when I worked as a virtual assistant myself. I was laid off from my ‘safe’ part-time job during the pandemic and found myself needing to grow my side hustle. Before too long I found myself with too many clients to handle alone. That’s when I realized there was a need for high-quality, dependable virtual assistants and decided to build a team that could fill that gap.

At Alpine Virtual, we provide executive-level support to business owners, helping them manage everything from administrative tasks and project management to client communication and calendar organization. What sets us apart is our meticulous 5-step vetting process—we hire only 1% of applicants to ensure our clients get the best of the best. Plus, we offer a unique continuity guarantee: if your VA is sick or on vacation, we provide an up-to-speed fill-in at no extra charge, so your business never skips a beat.

The problems we solve for our clients are varied, but they all boil down to one core issue: time. We give business owners their time back so they can focus on what really matters—whether that’s scaling their business, spending time with family, or finally taking that vacation without checking emails every five minutes. I’m incredibly proud of the impact our VAs have had; we’ve received glowing testimonials from clients who say their businesses wouldn’t be where they are today without our support.

I want potential clients to know that I’ve been in their shoes. I understand the challenges of running a business and feeling like you have to do it all. But I’ve also seen firsthand the transformative power of effective delegation. Our team is here to help you reclaim your time and elevate your business to new heights. Simply put, we wouldn’t be Alpine without you, and

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Managing a team and maintaining high morale is all about communication, trust, and recognition. Here are a few pieces of advice that have worked well for me:

Foster Open Communication: Create an environment where your team feels comfortable sharing their thoughts, concerns, and ideas. Regular check-ins, whether one-on-one or in a group setting, are essential for understanding what your team members need to succeed and feel supported. Transparency goes a long way in building trust and preventing misunderstandings.

Set Clear Expectations and Provide Autonomy: Make sure everyone on your team knows what’s expected of them, but then give them the autonomy to get the job done. Micromanaging can stifle creativity and motivation. Instead, trust your team to use their expertise and take ownership of their tasks.

Recognize and Celebrate Wins: Acknowledging your team’s hard work and celebrating their achievements, big or small, can significantly boost morale. Whether it’s a simple thank-you, a shout-out in a meeting, or a small reward, showing appreciation can make a huge difference in how valued your team feels.

Support Professional Growth: Encourage your team members to pursue their professional development. Offer training opportunities, mentorship, or resources that help them grow in their roles and beyond. When people feel like they’re growing, they’re more likely to be engaged and invested in their work.

Build a Sense of Community: Creating a positive team culture where people enjoy working together can enhance morale. Whether it’s through team-building activities, virtual coffee chats, or celebrating milestones together, building camaraderie helps create a supportive and collaborative work environment.

Listen and Adapt: Pay attention to your team’s feedback and be willing to make changes when needed. Sometimes small adjustments in workload, processes, or even the way you communicate can have a big impact on morale.

Maintaining high morale isn’t just about keeping your team happy; it’s about creating a supportive environment where people feel valued, motivated, and empowered to do their best work. When you invest in your team’s well-being and development, it benefits not only them but the entire organization.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Before launching Alpine Virtual, I was a virtual assistant for almost a decade. When COVID hit, I was laid off from my ‘safe’ part-time job and suddenly found myself at a crossroads. With no backup plan, I knew I had to pivot quickly. I decided to focus entirely on VA work and started gaining clients. Before long, I had too many clients to handle on my own and realized there was an opportunity to create something bigger. That’s how Alpine Virtual was born.

What began as a necessity quickly grew into a thriving business. I transitioned from being a solo VA to building an agency that provides top-tier virtual assistant services to CEOs and business owners. We’ve helped countless clients reclaim their time and grow their businesses by offering them the support they need to focus on their core goals. The experience taught me the importance of being adaptable and seeing challenges as opportunities to innovate and grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alpinevirtual.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alpinevirtual