Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Stacey Gatlin, Owner of Victory Concierge, located in Hightstown, NJ, USA.

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

Victory Concierge is a business management company. We provide virtual administrative and business consulting support to entrepreneurs and small businesses. People often come to us when they are overwhelmed by managing the operational aspects of their business that they don’t have the time, interest, or knowledge to handle. We help them reclaim their time and peace of mind by addressing what is creating their mental clutter. For example, providing calendar scheduling could address time management challenges, implementing a project management tool could address a lack of focus, or creating a training logistics process could eliminate inefficiencies in service delivery.

Tell us about yourself

I have always enjoyed helping people. One of my dear friends had lost her mother, and I could tell she was struggling. I told her she had 48 hours to give me two things from her To Do list. I got a call the next day with a task list and a key to her home. That initial To Do list grew into errands, home decluttering, and also project management while she renovated her home. She paid me for my time and helped me to realize personal assistance was a business service for everyday people, not just the wealthy or celebrities. After two years, I transitioned to business management services to save my own peace of mind. Instead of running around, I could serve businesses from my computer and still have the energy to play with my son when I pick him up from school. I am motivated by seeing clients win and claim their victory from something I provided, like scheduling a critical meeting or helping them launch their podcast.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is serving 40+ clients over the past seven years in business. I’ve contributed to some amazing personal transformations and award-winning business expansions. One of my previous clients was a C-suite mom with two little girls who had active schedules. Her request was for detailed nanny schedules for each child so the nannies knew where each girl had to be and when with the correct uniform or instrument. I remember her saying, “I need to make sure my girls know they are cared for whether I’m traveling on business or home.” The schedule I created allowed her to have peace of mind.

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

One of the hardest things is being responsible for the numerous moving parts of the business and learning to ask for help. When you work for a large company, most of the work you do is tied to a team. Being part of a team means there are other heads and hands to carry the load. In entrepreneurship, you are the head, hands, and heart of operations, finance, marketing, sales, fulfillment, customer service, and more. You have to get out of your own way and ask for help.

Also, be sure not to fall prey to imposter syndrome or the comparison trap. My business flourishes because I’m helping people through trust, problem-solving, and delivering excellence.

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

  1. Systems Matter. If you have a great idea for a product or service, be sure to think through the 5 Ws of the end-to-end customer experience. Who is your customer? Where will you find them? Why should they buy from you? What is the process for them to pay you? When and how will you deliver the product/service? As you answer the questions, build systems to support your solution.
  2. Connect with Community. Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart because when times get tough, you must remember your “why.” When in a community with other entrepreneurs, you’re reminded that you’re not alone in the journey. A community of 1-3 entrepreneurs can help you mastermind through ideas and challenges, join you in celebrating the wins, big and small, and be a resource for tools, tips, or inspiration.
  3. Stop Overthinking. I was so afraid of failing that I would overthink everything and not move on anything. I learned that many businesses we deem “successful” today are the 5th iteration of a business idea. They failed forward and kept going. Business coach & author Rachel Rodgers coined the term B.A.D. (broke-ass decisions) to remind us to stop making decisions that steal our time and peace of mind or make us feel stuck. Make the decision, keep going, and get back up if you stumble. You got this!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.victoryconcierge.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VictoryConcierge/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/VictoryConcierge/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-gatlin/

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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