How we built a 7-figure business using the same VAs and business model we promote

It’s time for a field study! 

We hear these questions all the time:
-Does this whole VA thing actually work?
-What if I’m still building, not a seasoned leader who’s led teams for decades?
-Will this work for me? And if so… how?

And they’re all fair questions. I had them myself!

So, for today’s field study, we’re putting ourselves under the microscope!

When it comes to running organizations, I’m probably not the person you’d expect to be writing this.

I didn’t study business. I went to college for nursing and worked as a registered nurse for 11 years. Somewhere in the middle between nursing and Rock Solid, I had the gift of being a stay-at-home mom for a season. Then, in 2016, just as my youngest son was preparing to graduate high school, I launched a virtual assistant company.

Nearly ten years later, we’re stronger than ever and have learned many valuable lessons along the way. As we approach this milestone, one truth stands out loudly above the rest -- 

Rock Solid was built using the same exact model we offer to our clients.

Today, Rock Solid supports hundreds of business owners using this same model.

My internal team was handpicked the same way we handpick yours, not for “doing everything,” but for doing the right things. I used the same matching process as we use to choose your best teammates! My team works a limited number of hours per week, just as yours will.

My business grew fast. Faster than I was prepared for.

Less than a year in, I realized that if I didn’t get help, everything would fall apart! I didn’t know what I didn’t know - and honestly, it was a lot! I was doing work I disliked and avoiding work I didn’t understand; the growing pains were all too real.

 But from all the pains and unknowns came a thing of beauty, purpose, and freedom -- for me, my family, and many others! It can easily be the same for you, but I promise… it won’t happen as a solopreneur! 

I believe deeply in what we do and how we do it. This model has produced a business that has stood the test of time — surviving a pandemic, three cross-country moves, and countless other challenges. Please hear me when I say this: I want the same success for you.

Let’s discuss 3 problems I needed to overcome to find success using a part-time, virtual team, and 3 benefits that made the challenges worth every step!

Problem #1:

The handoff!

Leaning on others to do work that feels like your responsibility isn’t always as easy as you think. On top of that, I didn’t yet know how to do many of the tasks required to keep growing, and it showed. 

Other times, I handed over a password, a vague explanation, and a shy shrug… and hoped for the best.

Problem #2:

Delegation!

In the early days of learning to lead a team, steadiness was the goal, but I didn’t always hit the mark.

Some days, I hovered and micromanaged. On other days, I handed off a task and rushed to put out another fire, leaving my teammate with unanswered questions and unspoken expectations. Ugh.

Maybe this is a good time for a disclaimer, haha! Our solutions to these common problems are now fully integrated into Rock Solid's working processes. A decade of trial, error, and refinement allowed us to build a structure that helps others avoid these same pitfalls  — just another perk of working with us!

Problem #3:

Mismatch between skills and passion!

I didn’t need a “Jack of all trades.” I needed people to do work that fit them. However, I didn’t understand that clearly in the early days. Fast forward 10 years, and I can attest to its importance!

When you have the right people in the right roles, they’ll often say they have the easiest job — not because it’s simple, or even comfortable, but because it’s aligned. Hearing someone describe that same work as “hard” may feel almost confusing to them.

I’m not going to put Shaq in the point guard position and then critique the entire team when the ball doesn’t make it down the court. Same principle.

3 benefits

Benefit #1:

The virtual model truly works!

When done well, it creates flexibility without sacrificing excellence. 

Yes, there was a learning curve, especially while learning, building, and experiencing rapid growth all at once. Of course, I wanted more than three hours a day from some teammates. But the benefits were substantial, and the flexibility was worth growing through the challenges. That commitment went both ways. My team valued it too, and together, we made it work.

Ten years later, there’s no scenario where I’d consider returning to full-time, in-office work. The efficiency and productivity we’ve experienced with this model speak for themselves!

Benefit #2:

Hiring for the role immediately increases efficiency.

I know my strengths, and I’m very aware of my weaknesses, and at some point, that awareness becomes wisdom. I’ll never forget a colleague once saying to me, “Tracy, why would you get an MBA when you could just hire one?”

Exactly.

I don’t need to be the best at everything. I value working with people who are exceptional at what I’m not. Specialized skill sets are powerful and a foundational part of our matching process at Rock Solid.

Benefit #3:

Teamwork really does make the dream work!

I’ve tried to rewrite this sentence a dozen times, and I keep coming back to the same truth: teamwork really does make the dream work. 

Not in a motivational-poster way, in a real, lived, sometimes messy way. I’ve seen it change the trajectory of my own business and my family’s life. I’ve also had the privilege of watching it do the same for our internal team and for hundreds of client teams over the years. 

There’s literally no way possible that I could have grown this business without an incredible team beside me! That moment when the right people come together, and everything starts to move more smoothly? That’s my favorite part of what we do at Rock Solid! (Yes, it still brings a goofy smile to my face and an occasional tear to my eye!)

Curious what this could look like for your business?

If this resonates, and you’re ready to explore what building with a part-time, virtual team could look like for your business, we’re here. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all support. We focus on expert matching, clear roles, and sustainable growth — because that’s what actually works.

When you’re ready to take the next step, let’s chat!