Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Hoefer.
Hi Whitney, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 2019, as a young mom of one daughter at the time, I was working in corporate marketing and craving more flexibility, freedom and fulfillment in my career. I vividly remember secretly writing down a “wish list” on a piece of paper in my cubicle of what a dream career could look like for me. It wasn’t but a couple of days later that I stumbled upon a course that was teaching people how to freelance as a Virtual Assistant from home. Through further research, I was instantly hooked and felt like this was the absolute answer for me. It checked every box. I purchased the 12 week course – opting for the “fast pass” so that I could finish it more quickly – and ended up completing the entire course in 3 weeks. I was motivated! Through this journey, I was dropping hints to my husband that I might be onto something. It was a new concept and needless to say, he was skeptical, but also supportive. In early August 2019, I had filed my LLC and turned my proverbial “open for business” sign on, making a few (scary!) debut posts on Facebook. Within a month of launching, I gained my first client as a Virtual Assistant and thought I had struck GOLD.
A couple months passed and I was juggling working my corporate 9-5 and supporting my one freelance client. A blessing in disguise occurred in November of that year when I ended up getting laid off. Feeling like the rug was suddenly pulled out from under me, I used that as fuel to go full force on my new business and dedicate all new found time to gaining more clients.
Well, 2020 then hit and turned the world upside down. I continued supporting a few clients that year in the midst of a global pandemic and giving birth to my second child in August. After my “maternity leave,” I decided that if I really wanted to replace my previous corporate income and take a substantial stab at this freelancing thing, I needed help. That’s when I found my business coach and saving grace.
Through my work alongside my coach, I found my true strengths and niche that propelled my business into quick growth. Over the last 5 years, I’ve continued to hone my skills and align myself with the work that I love most, which has morphed into what I am now which an Online Business Manager for coaches. I help them get out of the operational weeds and get back to serving clients and growing their businesses.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t know any business owner who has had a smooth road! It most certainly has had it’s fair share of trials and tribulations. Along the way, I have struggled with imposter syndrome and an influx of competitors who have entered the online service provider industry since 2020. It has completely boomed! Being an online service provider now requires me to really stand out, both in what I offer and how I present myself through my online storefront (i.e. my website and social media). There really is so much more competition these days.
It’s also been a struggle of balance (I hate that word!) between business and life. They say “you trade the 9-5 for 24/7” and it really is true. My mind is constantly thinking about my clients and business, and it’s a struggle to turn my business brain off.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an Online Business Manager, working exclusively with coaches who offer services online/virtually. I work as the operational backbone for my clients, allowing them to stay more within their zone of genius. There is SO much that goes into operating a business and when you are in the early stages of business ownership, you wear a lot of hats. Accounting manager, marketing manager, HR, operations manager, etc.
Once you reach a certain level of success and are ready to focus on scaling your business, you need outside support. You can no longer do everything yourself. That’s where I come in, providing operational and communications support. Think inbox management, client onboarding, scheduling, marketing implementation, project management, client communications. These are all necessary aspects of running an online coaching business but are not worthy of my clients time. Their time is best spent doing what they’re good at – coaching and transforming lives.
I am most proud that I have several long-standing clients who trust me and view me as a necessary asset to their business success. It’s so rewarding to receive praise and accolades from them consistently about how I’ve helped them grow their business and in turn, show up as better people and coaches.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Opening my own business was a major risk, I can definitely say that. But in that case, my fear of regret not taking a risk was greater than my fear of actually taking the risk itself, if that makes sense. I don’t normally view myself as a risk-taker (I’m very cautious and like to over-analyze!) but most major moves in life I think take some level of risk. Living with a constant thought of “what if?” is enough to push me towards taking more risks in life. Although, in my case, all risks are well calculated.
Pricing:
- Monthly service retainers start at $1200/month and are completely customized to a clients specific needs
Contact Info:
- Website: https://whitneyhoefer.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitney.hoefer/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitneyhoefer/
