Two Years of Growth as a Small Business Owner:
- Jen Jacobs
- May 2
- 5 min read
Lessons I've Learned from Building Black Cat Virtual Assistants
It's hard to believe this little business is already 2 years old! It feels like it was just yesterday that I took a layoff from my job as a Journeyman Pipefitter and drove home to prepare for a much needed vacation with my boyfriend.
He asked how my last day was and I looked him dead in the eyes and said "It was great. That was one of the best crews I've ever been on. But... I don't think I can go back to the oilfield."
I had spent so many hours of my life in the oilfield for the money. I thought that money would make me happy. And I won't lie, it did.... for a while. But I was tired, mentally, physically, and emotionally. I missed my family and friends. I missed so many events and gatherings- time I will never be able to get back. And I missed my cats. So I knew it was time for me to move on.
After spending a month in Mexico, my mental health had never been better. I was ready to take on the world, and I decided I wanted to find a way to share this feeling with as many people as I could.
Why Black Cat Virtual Assistants?
The name comes from the main inspiration to create a life where I could work from home. My black cat, James Franco. I wanted to spend more time with my furry best friends, and he and his brother Shawnald Billeus LOVE having me home every day, often taking turns sitting in my lap while I work. I decided it was time for me to start calling the shots in my own life and I knew I didn't just want to be an employee anymore. I wanted to take a leap and start my own business.
But why virtual assistance?
While trying to figure out how I was going to create this amazing future for myself, I took a look into my past. I sat down and reviewed ALL of the jobs I had ever worked. From my 1st job at Little Caesars Pizza at 14 years old, to the years I spent enjoying the stage as an additional cast member at Jubilations Dinner Theatre, all the way to my job as a Shop Tech at NAIT in their pipe trades program, and everything in between. I wrote down all of the things I liked and disliked about each job and I noticed that themes started to emerge.
It turns out the jobs I enjoyed the most were ones that gave me a sense of fulfilment from helping people in one way or another.
After taking a skills inventory of everything I'd learned over my many years in the workforce, Virtual Assistance just seemed like a natural fit for me. I could use skills I already had to help busy entrepreneurs- all while promoting this beautiful work life balance and mental health lifestyle.
The Journey & The Highlights
Starting the business was a scary leap of faith. I had never run a business before and I didn't really know what I was doing. But I thought "Boys do it... so how hard can it be?" (a regular motivational thought for me) and I got to work.
I was fortunate enough to sign my first client before my website was even live. I took that small amount of momentum and ran. I talked about my business with anyone who would listen. I went to networking events every week. I was doing my best to show up authentically as myself. And in return, I found people began to trust me as they got to know me, and the partnerships came naturally. And in showing up authentically as myself, I really started to fall into into this new identity as a business owner, this identity that allowed me to put my own mind and body before a paycheque.
The biggest highlights of the last 2 years include the friendships I've made with other business owners in Edmonton (and outside of Edmonton too), the ability to work fully remote (which has allowed me to take trips within Canada, Mexico, and Belize), and the power to be in charge of my own schedule. Because of this, I have the time to take care of my mind and my body in a way that works for me- a privilege I wouldn't give up for the world.
Lessons I've learned from Starting a Small Business
Done is better than perfect. Most of the things we do are always going to be a work in progress, meaning we can make changes as we go. If you're waiting for something to be perfect before you start, you're never going to learn what needs improving. Just get it done. Don't wait.
Building authentic relationships helps everyone. Showing up as yourself is the best way to do this. Also, you don't need to be looking for a transaction with every person you meet. Sometimes it's best to just build genuine relationships with people, you literally have nothing to lose!
Set boundaries. Set them in regards to how and when people can contact you. Set them around what things you're willing to do and what you're not. Include things like "how often am I really going to let myself work late?" Spoilers: it's so much more often than you think... Set boundaries and stick to them or you're going to burn out and quit.
What are We Doing Next?
The vision I have for BCVA is to help as many small business owners and entrepreneurs as I can. My team is slowly growing (which comes with a whole new set of challenges we get to figure out) and we're taking new clients as often as we can, even if we do have a waitlist once in a while.
One of the ways I am able to help people without having them hire us is through creating digital resources and products. We have a few free resources on our website and we just launched our first digital product - The Expense Projections Workbook!
You can check out our resources page to see what we have that may help you. If there's something you'd like to see that isn't there, please contact us! We're always looking for new resources we can create for small business owners and entrepreneurs.
I love being able to share the feeling of having room to breathe, having time to practice self care, and I especially love promoting these things within my network. I feel incredibly grateful that I get to live this dream life and that all of the work I continue to pour into this business is actually allowing me to achieve my goals.
And not to brag, but... I literally have the best clients. I am so proud to be helping them grow their businesses and eternally grateful for their continued support in Black Cat VA.
If you're ready to stop stressing about your business and start putting your mental health as your main focus, it's time to Contact Us to learn what we can do for you.
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