Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Samantha Mersereau, co-founder of Assist-her, located in Whistler, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Assist-her is a virtual assistant agency that caters to small businesses and individuals alike. We match business owners with qualified virtual assistants across Canada. Our services allow business owners to thrive and focus on their business while providing reliable work for industry-leading virtual assistants.
We take tasks off your plate so that you can focus on what you are great at without the need for a full-time employee. While we are able to cater to businesses worldwide, our heart lies in assisting Canadian companies. From managing rental properties to creating eye-catching content (and everything in between), we are here to make your life easier - whatever that may look like!
Tell us about yourself
Assist-her was created by myself (Sam) and my sister, Paige. Although we didn't have a choice in being sisters, we made the choice to be best friends - we did everything together! As we grew personally and professionally, we realized that our dynamic duo could help others...et voilà, Assist-her was born!
We initially started this business as a "side-hustle," but as COVID hit and wiped out our main sources of income, we realized that this was our chance to turn our passion into a prosperous career.
Our main motivation is helping our clients, and it has been since day one. Helping burnt-out business owners get their life back while strengthening their business is the backbone of our services. Another perk? We get to meet so many incredible individuals from all walks of life (and being able to snuggle our pups on lunch breaks is definitely a plus, too)!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Building a business from the ground up during a pandemic was a risk like no other, and we are extremely proud that we made it happen. Did it come without its lows and “why did I do this?” moments? Absolutely not, but we wouldn’t trade the journey for anything!
Additionally, we pride ourselves on the relationships we build and are fortunate enough to get the majority of our new client acquisitions through referrals!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Who would have thought that starting a new business requires endless calls with CRA and doing your own taxes?! All kidding aside, the hardest part is also the best part: it all comes down to you. At the end of the day, you can choose what services you’d like to offer and what color your logo will be, but the Friday nights spent putting the final touches on that graphic instead of your makeup is what really drives home that this is our job, this is our responsibility, and this is what we have worked so hard to achieve. All in all, putting in the time required might not be as glamourous as it looks, but it sure as hell is worth it.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Ask for help. We aren’t perfect humans, and we all have areas of weakness (at least we do!), so swallow your pride and ask that “silly question” to a friend, entrepreneur, government official – whoever it is that will help you learn and grow!
- Put your mental health first. We have all been through a lot, and building a business is no slouch. Your clients will understand that spending a much-needed day in the sun trumps the need to cry over emails.
- Celebrate the wins, no matter how big or small. Whether you landed that dream client or found the perfect font for your website, pop the champagne!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
This might be one of the hardest things you choose to do, but it will also be one of the most rewarding experiences you will have the opportunity to encounter. There will be highs and lows, happy tears and frustrated tears, days of freedom, and days of feeling locked in. My advice? Take it all in. It’s a wild ride, and you have the perfect boots to dig those heels in and shout “yee-ha”!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://assist-her.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/assist.her.canada
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/assist.her/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.