Part one: Today it’s from the heart
Coming together and sharing in a community of like-minded people with like-minded careers makes us all the wiser, and I’m beyond grateful and honored to be taking your time to read.
Part one:
As I begin this new blog series, I find myself very excited… but more hesitant than ever. It’s time to share my story… the Rock Solid story!
I enjoy the background more than I should, considering I’m the one always saying that the only thing that grows in a comfort zone is mold, haha! However, due to the significant changes in my own life, and most importantly, the countless lives I've witnessed transform dramatically over the past 9+ years of building and growing Rock Solid, I'm ready to take the leap. I’m stepping out of that blasted comfort zone to share with you how you can do the same thing we’ve done in business… and life!
The one thing that speaks the loudest in my story is the one I hope you hear the loudest! It is the same one we rarely talk about -- I used the exact model we offer to you to build this business!
I grew my team directly from the same virtual assistant pool that we would choose your VA from, if you have the opportunity to work with us! They are contractors, just like your VA will be! They work a limited number of hours each week—and the numbers are smaller than you might guess.
So, let’s dive in and discuss ALL the things! We'll learn how to succeed long-term without wrecking your health, relationships, mindset, or positivity! We'll talk about how to build a team and grow as a leader!
This will be a 3-part series, and we have a gift or two for you along the way!
When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. Really, I think it was just all the bling and enthusiasm 😂.
As I grew up, that innocent childhood dream became less realistic and, soon, ridiculous. Now, a few short years later, I just want to step in and run the organization. Somebody should, I think... 🤔 😂😂 ...but I digress...
When it comes to running organizations, I am pretty unlikely to be the person sharing this story today. I didn't study business; in fact, I went to college for nursing and worked as a registered nurse (RN) for 11 years before my career path was altered. Somewhere in the middle, I was fortunate enough to work as a stay-at-home mom! In 2016, just as my youngest son was about to graduate from high school, I launched a virtual assistant company, which grew incredibly quickly and now generates a 7-figure revenue!
Nine+ years later, I’ve developed the gift of seeing potential and making things happen more efficiently for people. I’ve learned that we truly are better together, and I love finding ways for others to strategize, grow through obstacles and challenges, and find passion, peace, and rest in what they do. I’ve witnessed some of the craziest success stories, but have also watched from the sidelines as businesspeople grow what appears to be a successful operation, but in the midst of it all, lose their relationships and health.
My business journey is quite uncommon and happened quickly. I wasn’t even a year into it when I realized that if I didn’t get help, everything would fall to the ground and shatter. There were things I didn’t like and things I didn’t know. Rock Solid grew very quickly, and the growing pains were real. But from all the pains and unknowns came a thing of beauty, purpose, and freedom -- for me, my family, and many others!
There were three clear stages for me and Rock Solid in this growth process. We'll look at the first one in this blog.
Stage 1: “Let’s Do This!!” (aka “Fire Season”)
Stage one for me was surrender, believe it or not. I had the dream and, from time to time, would get a good glimpse of all the good “what ifs”!
→ What if it really worked?
→ What if others could find what I’ve found with this kind of work?
… and the not-so-good one: What if I fail?
Finally, I took the leap!
Stage one is where I threw in the towel and said, “Let’s do this!!” This is going to be so _____.
1. fun
2. exciting
3. wonderful
Maybe you remember or recognize this stage!
The words in your head may have sounded something like this: “I decided to do this to help folks and impact the world. Now I'm sending invoices and following up on late payments, and …why in the world can't my clients complete a questionnaire on time?? Aauuuggghhhh!!!!" You find yourself scheduling just a couple of "small tasks" to do on Saturday morning, promising yourself you'll be done in time to spend some time with family in the afternoon. Three things popped up in the inbox, though, and now you're hoping Sunday will work for everyone!
--sound familiar?
With busyness, we tend to dig our heels in, roll up our sleeves, and get to work, right? That’s what I did in those early days… for about three months in a row. I was leaving my office overly exhausted and mentally drained late each evening. I didn’t have it in me to even visit with my family or inquire what had happened in their day. I was replying to texts from friends days late… IF I replied at all!
My normal routine included working at least one day each weekend and the other day… yeah, the work was going on in my head about what needed to get done and how it was going to get done, and no matter what I was doing or who I was with, I wasn’t present at all, if I’m being honest.
Not only is that disrespectful, but it’s a relationship killer.
Fast forward to the moment of truth - the eye opener:
It was past midnight, and I had been asleep for a couple of hours when my husband came to bed. I’m not sure why it even woke me up; I never wake up. But as he lay down beside me, he said softly, “Trace, I miss you.” He rolled over to go to sleep. Tears poured. In exhaustion and carrying a weight I was not meant to or capable of carrying, I lay there as tears soaked my pillow. I finally had to get up and leave the bedroom - I simply wasn’t ready to face it all.
Entrepreneurship is a roller coaster with more ups and downs than any amusement park ride. We purchase our ticket and excitedly climb aboard with expectations of greatness and exhilaration! We read the articles, write down our “whys,” make our goals, chart a course of action, and drop our noses to the grindstone.
Before we know what is happening, we’re spending long hours in the office doing all. the. things.
Time spent with friends and family are distant memories, and we’re embracing the “just one more thing” mindset while mindlessly letting all the things we love slip away. UGH and double UGH!!
This is not the dream!
This wasn’t the plan!
I guarantee this was not on your list of goals!
Along with relationship challenges, what about the quality of your work? We make mistakes when we’re overwhelmed and trying to handle everything ourselves! Usually, they aren’t big, life-shattering mistakes, but they add up, and the more we push and struggle and insist, “I’ve got this,” the more consequences we face. Client and customer care declines quickly, which is a very slippery slope. If changes aren’t made, there goes our referrals and business name.
Friend, all of this leads to burnout!
When you’re getting up in the morning, tired and drained after a sleepless night, and find yourself trudging through each day to get to the end to repeat tomorrow, something is wrong!
This was your passion, remember?
This is the thing that made your heart leap with excitement as you planned, strategized, and dreamed!
The truth is, we can’t do it alone… and we weren’t meant to!
So what’s a goal - chasing, passionate entrepreneur to do?
At this stage, I hired my first VA
~ yes, right from the pool of VAs that I was working so hard to fill!
The same week, I hired a bookkeeping firm to get everything in order and running operationally! Both of the wonderful gals who joined my very first team that week were handed a firehose, a few passwords, and a faint smile that silently begged them not to run away.
By this time, we probably had a handful of teams, and one of my former clients had spoken at a COO event about his experience with Rock Solid. If I remember correctly, we got 21 leads in 3 days. My hair was on fire, and I’m sure my new teammates were questioning their decision to work with me.
As we grew together as a team, I think the best description of the season that ensued was “fire season.” Although I am typically an obsessively organized person, we had a lot of work and organization to catch up on.
With teamwork happening, and all hands on deck, we made it to:
I hope I've captured your attention because the best is yet to come! Watch for our newsletter next week to continue this journey, discovering how we tackle challenges and advance toward sustainable growth. You won’t want to miss it!
Talk Soon!
Tracy
