How Shaughnessy Built Success by Ness, a Canadian Virtual Assistant Agency

Please share a brief introduction and your business:

My name is Shaughnessy, and I’m the founder and CEO of Success by Ness, a Canadian-based Virtual Assistant agency staffed entirely by Canadian VAs. We provide part-time administrative and operational support to busy business owners, helping them stay organized, streamline their workflows, and focus on growing their businesses.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

I didn’t always have a clear plan, but even before my daughter was born, I often toyed with the idea of running a home daycare. The thought of building something of my own was always in the back of my mind, so the entrepreneurial path wasn’t completely foreign to me.

Are you a mamaprenista?

Yes! Connect with other Mamaprenistas... It's so important to connect with other mamas, it will make you feel less alone. My other advice is actually hiring a VA because it will give you so much more time back and in turn it means you'll have more time to spend with your family.

Take us back to when you launched? What was your marketing strategy?

When I first decided to become a Virtual Assistant, I was incredibly persistent. I knew I only needed to replace my modest ECE salary, so I focused on finding those first clients with full commitment. Every day (often multiple times a day) I searched through Facebook groups and online communities for opportunities. I showed up consistently and kept going until I reached my income goal.

What accomplishments are you the most proud of to date in your business?

I’m incredibly proud of the women and moms on my team. They get to do meaningful, flexible work while contributing to their families, and creating that opportunity for them means a lot to me. I’m also proud that my original goal of building a team of 7 has come true! We’re now a team of 8 and continuing to grow, because the demand for reliable administrative support is only increasing.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

I wish I had know more people who joined to hear their personal stories of what this community has done for them.

When hiring, what is your go-to interview question?

Since much of the work we do is asynchronous, how do you manage your time and keep yourself on task without supervision?

What did you go before starting your own business?

Before becoming a solo Virtual Assistant, I worked as an Early Childhood Educator and eventually advanced to the role of Centre Director, where I oversaw the operations of an entire childcare centre.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

When my daughter was born in 2020, I knew that returning to the childcare field after maternity leave wasn’t the right path for me (especially with the constant chaos and shifting COVID-19 regulations). I needed a career that offered stability, flexibility, and the ability to work from home if the world ever shut down again. That’s when I realized I could pivot my skills as a Centre Director into a virtual Administrative role.

Do you have any recent wins?

I doubled my revenue from the year before and I officially hit my goal of having a team of 7!

What's one app on your phone that you cannot live without?

WhatsApp. It's how I stay in contact with my family and friends on the daily!

Who are your customers?

We work with all types of businesses, including, but not limited to entrepreneurs, small businesses, and non-profits. Think coaches, authors, course creators, therapists, content creators, podcast hosts, consultants, and more!

What's your top productivity tip?

Hiring help: getting a Virtual Assistant is the first step in getting out of the day-to-day admin work that's bogging you down. Time-blocking: Setting a time limit to do certain tasks helps you stay more focused on tasks instead of jumping from one task to another.

What's your favorite business tool?

Asana. It's the best way to stay organized and on top of all tasks. I like it because it's simple and easy to use... No fancy colours, no flashy processes.

What's your approach to work-life balance?

See above!

How do you avoid burn-out?

Asking for help: Don't be afraid to ask for help in your business but also in your personal life.

Disconnecting: It's important to disconnect from the online world and spend time doing things that are outside of work. Spending time with family and friends, enjoying books, podcasts, puzzles, etc.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

Give it 2 years consistently! You have to be willing to put in the work every day for 2 years to really see true success on the idea.

Learn more about the Entreprenista League and join today

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