A decade of wonder

Ten years ago this summer I took a leap of faith. For me at that time it felt like I was standing on a precipice with no bottom in sight. What could be so scary you might ask? Meeting people; People who were important to me; People I’d been the real me with; People who were supporting me in creating a brand new business. I was halfway through the virtual assistance training program offered by AssistU—I hadn’t even graduated and become a Virtual Assistant but I was planning to attend a face-to-face event hosted by AssistU’s local chapter in Maryland. Yes, I flew from Florida to meet people I’d only met virtually in order to connect and take our relationships to—to whatever was next! Hence, the leap of faith.

Anastacia Brice founder of AssistU happened to be my course trainer and had already changed my life forever by creating the possibility for me to become a successful business owner doing work I loved. She’s impacted my life personally and professionally in a gazillion ways and I am thankful every day for the work she does and the difference she makes in lives. I met her in person that weekend and have loved her every day since. Thank you, Anastacia. 

Our hostess was Dawn Goldberg (now Schuler) who opened her lovely home to virtual strangers (pun intended) and shared her delightful daughters. Many of us sat at her kitchen table into the wee hours and played a card game called Bullshit which my novice status and friendly innocent face made me quite good at! Later my connection with Dawn and her love of language and writing combined with her gift for teaching would help me polish and hone my writing skills dramatically. I’m forever grateful, Dawn! 

Antonette was already a successful VA and her small packaging (five foot one) did not keep her from BIG things! She had a live wire running through her and a contagious laugh that attracted people from way across the room! Over the years she has become my sister from another mother and along with my family we have been adopted by her entire family.  I cannot imagine this past decade without your love and laughter AA!

I connected with many other VAs that weekend and have continued to learn and grow from our connections. If a fortune teller had predicted I’d be here in ten years with a thriving VA practice, unveiling a new website and blogging about a decade of doing what I love, with people I love to work with—I’d have smiled politely and thanked her. But I wouldn’t have believed her! Yet, here I am doing exactly those things due to the serendipities and connections that were created at that picnic ten years ago. Because I took a leap of faith. Because I practiced the life lesson I was handed: feel the fear and do it anyway. Because I was willing to be authentic and vulnerable.  Because I believed in possibility.

I am thrilled and proud to unveil a new new website after almost ten years in business and I have two talented women to thank for making it a reality. Terri Moore created WOWVA’s wondrous new logo. I wanted a tree theme to play on the idea of nature and wonder; a client being rooted with a VA partner; and branching out as an entrepreneur to include a VA. You may see more of Terri’s work and connect with her at  Graphic Ventures. 

My Digital Marketing Maven, Aletha McManama is responsible for the personalized design of my WordPress theme and it all came together beautifully.  And the acronym WOW has been expanded beyond Works of Wonder for my VA biz to include Words of Wonder for my blog and Waves of Wonder for realizing the dream of living and working remotely: living and traveling aboard a sailboat. Please visit Aletha and see  more of her work here. 

One last connection that was made that day was with one of Antonette’s nieces; three year old Nya stole my heart. Here’s my favorite pen pal a decade later—I love you Nya Papaya!