Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sophia Koulakis, Founder and CEO of The Virtual Pixie, located in Austin, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I partner with high-achieving coaches to help them live a life where their business flourishes within the lifestyle they've envisioned for themselves. With an emphasis on intuitive planning, strategy integration, and optimization of business operations, I help establish a strong, durable foundation that allows for sustainable growth. As a result, my clients not only redefine and reconstruct their business, but all aspects of their lives transform, including but not limited to their relationship with time, money, and aligned purpose. The women I work with are coaches who lead with their intuition and heart to create their work and life so they can work less while making more impact and income without sacrificing their own wants and needs.
Tell us about yourself
Growing up, family and friends always asked me to help them with cellphone or computer issues. Whether it was a program to install, a printer to connect, or to fix a phone issue, I would always go and be "tech support." My love of gadgets started at a very young age when my Dad would give me old devices to take apart. I'd meticulously take the item apart, piece by piece, and organize them on the floor so I could then put them back together. In high school, I started to build my PCs. Again, part by part, making it as powerful as I could with the motherboard, graphics card, etc.
I had so many interests in college that I couldn't decide on just one major. So I ended up studying Interior Architecture and Business with an emphasis in Real Estate. In addition, I took several graphic designs, art history, and psychology classes.
I started The Virtual Pixie in 2014 when I was pregnant with my son. Since I had a rough pregnancy and could no longer go to people's houses to help with their computer issues, I started doing online tech support. With my love of organization, systems, and design, I started a business that allowed me to incorporate everything I love - the organization with procedures, streamlining systems, graphic and web design, and strategy and integration.
What motivates me is seeing the daily progress and growth of a project and business. In addition, having the ability to relate and connect with my clients to fulfill their mission and achieve their goals allows me to be a part of something bigger, which is part of my definition of success.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is being my authentic self. Honoring my values and working with women I align with and never straying from what my intuition tells me - never jeopardizing my core values. Use my voice to give opinions - when not asked - if I see a more streamlined solution that will get what my clients want plus more. Lastly, not working past my limits - creating the lifestyle I have envisioned for myself and my son by sticking to the boundaries I have created for us.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
In my opinion, the hardest thing that comes with being a business owner is feeling trapped by a schedule full of meetings and tasks you have to do and feeling disconnected from your life and your business. I have heard my clients complain that their business feels like a side piece to their life. Some have even said that their life turned into a side piece to their business!! Trying to find the balance so one can create the lifestyle they've envisioned for themselves and gain the freedom in their business that they have always dreamt of is the hardest part of being a business owner.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- You must be able to recognize when it's time to hire the right team member. Recognizing this will not only propel you and your business but also free up your precious time to focus on making money. The more you are stuck wondering if you need to hire someone to support you and the business, the longer you cost your business money.
- Don't fall into the management trap. Most clients I work with have fallen into the management trap. Make sure as you grow your business and hire, you hire the correct person to manage your team, as well. This will ensure that you focus on generating income while your new team member manages the planning, the people, the process, and the progress of your business.
- Be willing to let go. Once you hire someone to manage your team, you must be willing to let go. An Operations Manager, like me, jumps right in, takes the lead on projects, implements your goals for the business, and gets things off your plate.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://thevirtualpixie.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheVirtualPixieOBS/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiakoulakis/
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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