We recently connected with Sydney Jones and have shared our conversation below.

Sydney, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

In April 2023, with only about a month left until graduation with my marketing degree, I still had no clear direction for what I wanted to do next. I’d completed several internships throughout college, each one helping me identify aspects I liked and things I didn’t, which eventually shaped my vision for my career. But one thing was certain: I did not want a typical 9-to-5 desk job, where every day felt the same. I craved new experiences, creative outlets, and social connections with people. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel like there were many entry-level opportunities that offered that where I was living.
Then, a family friend introduced me to the concept of virtual assisting. I had never heard of it before, so I set up a call with her. She explained it to me in detail, and within a week, I had to decide whether to enroll in a six-week program she had taken. The program taught you how to essentially run your own service-based business in the VA world, which was completely new to me. I took the plunge, completed the program, and fast forward 2.5 years and Sydney Jones VA is thriving and still growing!

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

Sydney Jones VA is essentially a small digital marketing agency. We currently have a team of three, and we handle all things digital marketing. Our clients come to us for full social media management, email marketing, and website design. We also offer social media ads, which is a newer venture for us!
Marketing and technology are constantly evolving, and as a business owner myself, I understand how challenging it can be to wear multiple hats. That’s why we’re here to be the solution for businesses who want to alleviate some of that stress. My main focus is to help people achieve the work-life balance that I believe is essential.
One of the core reasons this business has gotten to where it is today, and where I am personally, is through dedication and determination. I think that’s one of the most valuable skills anyone can have, because with it, you can accomplish anything. It might not always happen as quickly as you want, but persistence pays off if you don’t lose hope.
When I first decided to pursue marketing, I didn’t feel that I had a lot of support, since it wasn’t a familiar field at the time. But instead of discouraging me, that made me even more determined. I knew I didn’t want to choose a career just because it was typical or safe, especially if it wasn’t something I’d enjoy. That same mindset carried me when I took the leap to start my own business. The beginning was slow, and there were times when I felt support waver, but it only strengthened my determination. I knew what I wanted and what I would enjoy, and I made it happen.
I like to think that’s something I bring to my clients as well. I strive to offer them the same dedication and drive that I’ve applied to my own journey.

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

A specific moment of resilience for me came very early in my business journey. I graduated from the six-week course in mid-June, and as part of that process, we had the opportunity to participate in matchmaker calls provided by the course owner, Sara Wiles (the program was called The Start). It was an incredible way to get your foot in the door!
But as a recent college graduate, this whole world was so new to me. It took me a long time to actually land clients. I went through meeting after meeting, applied through other online sources, offered free trial projects, all the works. It was incredibly discouraging, not just for me, but for the people around me who wanted to see me succeed. I was waitressing on the side, and trying to figure everything out, as I had no prior experience as a business owner.
Looking back, what I learned from all those calls was a lot of training and redirection, almost like rejection therapy on how to position myself. I had to learn how to communicate my value, not necessarily to “sell” myself, but to confidently convey what I could offer. A big part of that was developing confidence in myself and my skills, even though everything was still new to me.
Two months in, and I still had no new clients. But then, I booked my first client for $250 a month, which definitely a slow start. But a start nonetheless! From there, I kept building, landing a client or two each month. By January, I was fortunate to start receiving a lot of referrals, and my business began to grow exponentially within that first year.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

In marketing, results are obviously a huge focus, but something that doesn’t get enough attention is the importance of soft skills. For me, a big part of building my reputation with clients, and ultimately having most of my new clients come to me by referral, has been the soft skills I bring to the table. I make an effort to be an active listener, stay proactive in offering direction, and maintain clear communication throughout every project.
Another key aspect is being honest when I don’t think a particular decision is the best fit for their business, and explaining why. It’s about being able to compromise, balancing what I think is best with what the client wants, and finding that middle ground where we can create something truly effective.
I believe it’s these qualities that have helped me develop such strong relationships with my clients, both current and past. I’m incredibly grateful for that and feel really blessed to work with such amazing people. It’s been a really rewarding part of my journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sydneyjonesservices.my.canva.site/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/sydneyjonesva
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydney-jones-a9504a19a?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Image Credits

Pictured by Morgan Lea Photography