Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Paula Holsberry, Founder of Tessera Virtual Business Solutions, located in Henrietta, TX, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I am the founder of Tessera Virtual Business Solutions, where I help business teams improve their internal processes and increase their collaboration efforts. Many of my clients are already using the work management platform Asana, but they want to learn how to use it better. That’s where I come in.

I typically spend about 90 days with a leader and their team defining their processes, building them out in the Asana platform, and training them to work collaboratively, helping teams accomplish more than they ever thought possible. This leads to higher productivity and, consequently, higher profits.

My clients are typically smaller companies of 1–20 or teams of 10–20 in a giant corporation or non-profit. These teams know what needs to get done to propel the business forward, but they need clarity on defining the processes to get them there. I witness the transformation from chaos to transparency, which is so very satisfying!

Tell us about yourself

My current journey started five years ago. I spent the previous 25 years teaching and training young minds in education. However, I was ready for something different as I moved into a new season of my life.

I knew I wanted to do something meaningful that served others. I learned about the B2B world through a simple conversation. It led me to do some research, confirming that my skillset and passion intersected in the business world.

Initially, I set my path on serving as a virtual assistant for small and medium businesses and met with consistent early success. I learned what I loved to do most and what could have been more engaging. That brings me to today, where I am thriving in my business as I serve as a consultant and trainer in my favorite work management platform, Asana.

As a woman of faith, I do not doubt that God is using my natural giftings as an educator to make a difference in the lives of business owners in this season of my life. I still get to teach, train, and strategize (just like in education) but with a different audience! I am overwhelmed and humbled with gratitude for such opportunities.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Each day I have an opportunity to effect change in how a team works together. This old world can weary people, but your work does not have to contribute to this weariness. Thriving at work can bring joy! When I witness a team go from stressed out and overwhelmed to working in sync with each other with pleasure and satisfaction, I consider that my biggest accomplishment.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

One of the hardest things about owning a business is choosing what is most important to do every day. There are so many possibilities for expanding to serve other business owners.

But staying focused on what is most needed for today is the top priority. Small business owners like me wear many hats. Switching hats too often leads to a feeling of “spinning my wheels.” Hence, creating daily routines helps to alleviate some of that friction.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Start somewhere. Starting anything new is always a little intimidating. But take the time to research and start by taking the first step. Commit to learning something new every day.
  2. Walk alongside someone else. Find someone a few steps ahead of you in a business launch. Stay close and watch, ask questions, listen, then act.
  3. Be willing to change course. When I began, I thought I wanted to do one thing, but doing that one led me to where I am today. When you sense it is time to make some changes, do it!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://tesseravbs.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tesseravbs/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulaholsberry/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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