IAM2325 – Founder Provides Business Management for Online Business Owners

Sara Lingenfelter is the founder and owner of Virtual Biz Partner, a closed team that provides business management for online business entrepreneurs and owners worldwide.

Sara has a proven track record of managing and growing businesses while simplifying strategies, systems, and technology.

She’s also dedicated to providing work-from-home opportunities to women through an accessible online educational course that teaches them how to get started as a virtual assistant.

Sara’s approach is to customize solutions for each client, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all strategy.

Sara advocates entrepreneurs to trust their instincts and not simply follow what others have done to achieve success.

She emphasizes the importance of autonomy in running a business and making choices that work for you.

Website: Virtual Biz Partner

LinkedIn: Sara Lingenfelter

Facebook: Virtual Biz Partner By Sara Lingenfelter

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Transcription:

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Sara Lingenfelter Teaser 00:00

Then I started finding all these other entrepreneurs that they just had too much work to do themselves.

They didn't need or couldn't afford employees. And so virtual assistant was the perfect solution.

Intro 00:12

Do you want to learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales and grow your business from successful entrepreneurs, startups, and CEOs without listening to a long, long, long interview?

If so, you've come to the right place. Gresham Harkless values your time and is ready to share with you precisely the information you're in search of. This is the I AM CEO Podcast.

Gresham Harkless 00:37

Hello, hello, hello. This is Gresh from the I AM CEO Podcast and I have a very special guest on the show today as Sara Lingenfelter of Virtual Biz Partners. Sara, it's awesome to have you on the show.

Sara Lingenfelter 00:46

Thank you. I'm excited to be here.

Gresham Harkless 00:48

Awesome to have you on and super excited to have you on. And what I wanted to do was just read a little bit more about Sara so you can hear about all the awesome things that she's doing and.

Sara is founder and owner of Virtual Biz Partner, a closed team that provides business management for online business entrepreneurs and owners worldwide.

She has a proven track record of managing and growing businesses while simplifying strategies, systems and technology.

Sara's also dedicated to providing work from home opportunities to women through an accessible online educational course that teaches them how to get started as a virtual assistant.

When she's not supporting online entrepreneurs, you can find her spending time with her son, watching movies, enjoying the outdoors, and proudly eating some chocolate or other tasty food. Sara, are you ready to speak to the I AM CEO community?

Sara Lingenfelter 01:32

I am so ready.

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Gresham Harkless 01:34

Awesome, awesome, awesome. And who doesn't love chocolate and tasty food? So I could definitely with you on that, but what I wanted to do was just hear a little bit more about what I call your CEO story and what led you to start your business.

Sara Lingenfelter 01:45

Yeah, definitely. It's so interesting because if you would have asked me several years ago, I would have never said this was my plan.

I never thought I would have my own business. It just wasn't something I'd ever considered. And I had been to college and I was going to be a probation and parole officer.

So, like, I had this plan, knew what I was going to do, always loved criminal justice and the legal field.

And to make a long story short, I got married and moved to a rural community and there just wasn't very many jobs.

And I was working from home for a job I'd had for a while, but it was never supposed to be like a long term job.

I was doing bookkeeping, so nothing close to probation and parole. And as I started looking for opportunities with my degree, there weren't very many.

And what I did find, it was going to be a lot of commuting, a lot of time away from home, and I just wasn't willing to do that with my son being so young, no family near.

And that's when I started thinking, okay, there's gotta be something else I can do. There's gotta be other opportunities from that, like, one thing led to another.

I learned about a virtual assistant. I kind of started dabbling in it because I still didn't really understand the online world and all of the opportunities.

And then after about six months is when I started to look at like, okay, wait a minute, think I found something.

And that's how it started in a nutshell. And then it just continued to grow. I loved it. I quit my job in, let's see, it was January of 2013. Quit my job to do my business full time, and I've never looked back.

Gresham Harkless 03:18

That sounds completely awesome. And like so many people, like, who does what they go to school for anymore, it seems like. Exactly.

I myself was an English major and I thought I was going to go to law school actually, but I find myself doing podcast interviews. So there we go.

Sara Lingenfelter 03:33

Yeah, well, I learned stuff. It was an expensive learning lesson, but.

Gresham Harkless 03:38

Yes, yes, yes, don't we all? So I know you touched a little bit upon it and I know you mentioned that when you first started, you didn't really understand exactly what virtual assistant was.

So I guess could you break that down for us a little bit more as entrepreneurs and business owners on what a virtual assistant does and what you do to kind of support your clients?

Sara Lingenfelter 03:54

Yeah, definitely. Well, at that time, I still, it was a lot of employee jobs. And so when I learned of a virtual assistant and this independent contractor that can work from home for other online businesses, I just didn't really grasp it.

And so what I found out is that there are all these online businesses that need usually administrative support that can be social media, marketing, I mean, you name it, if it's something you have to do in your business, you can probably find somebody a virtual assistant that can help with that.

And so as I started learning more, googling it, working with a couple clients, then I started finding all these other entrepreneurs that they just had too much work to do themselves.

They didn't need or couldn't afford employees. And so virtual assistant was the perfect solution. And that's why I eventually quit my job.

Because I'm like, man, I set my own rates. I'm my own boss. I can make more money. And it only made sense that I pursued that. And then it just as I learned, it kind of continued to grow.

Gresham Harkless 04:52

Yeah, absolutely. And it kind of sounds like I know you mentioned your son as well, too. So being able to have that flexibility to kind of work in different hours.

Because as entrepreneurs and business owners, a lot of people that start businesses, they're usually passionate about something.

And then when you start a business, you realize there's 30 other things that you're. That you have to do, but you don't necessarily want to do, but they need to get done.

So it's good to have somebody like yourself. It sounds like that helps out with that.

Sara Lingenfelter 05:13

Yeah, definitely. And, there was times in the beginning where I might work on the weekends or I might work a little bit in the evening, because like you said, there are those things that have to be done.

So in my business, I needed to get things taken care of. But then as well as for clients, I had that flexibility where I would prioritize, okay, if there's daytime tasks to get done, I'll make sure I get those done when they need to be.

And then the other stuff can be done at another time. So it was definitely a lot of learning in those first few months.

Gresham Harkless 05:39

Yeah, that makes sense. But isn't everything a learning process that never, ever ends? Exactly, Exactly.

So now I wanted to ask you for what I call your secret sauce. And this is kind of like what you feel distinguishes you or sets you apart.

Sara Lingenfelter 05:52

It's so interesting. I feel like my secret sauce, it has no fancy name, but it's that I really, I do a certain set of things, but yet I customize it to each of my clients.

So I feel like we get this idea in business that you have to do these certain things, and if you don't do these certain things, then you're not going to be successful.

And so when I look at the processes and systems and the strategy and the team management that I do, yeah, I focus on the certain areas in each business, but I tailor it to what works for that client.

Because, I mean, I have some clients that they have brick and mortar as well as online businesses. Others are all online. Some are totally remote and have no one location.

So they're location independent. So the structures for all of those look differently in how I customize what I do.

And I've actually seen when people don't do that, that be the mistake that they make is they try to do the one size fits all approach for business.

And I just don't think that works. I don't think it's a solution. So I like to look at what makes the businesses unique and how my expertise can help them, but customize it so that it's building what they ultimately want.

Gresham Harkless 07:01

Interesting. I like that sounds like, correct me if I'm wrong, you still have like processes and systems in place.

But you're able to make sure that they are benefiting the client that you're working with in the best way. So you're kind of finding their secret sauce as well and seeing how you can fit in.

Sara Lingenfelter 07:14

Yeah, because we all have different reasons for starting our business. We all have a different lifestyle we want to live. We have, it's everybody, everything is different.

And so it doesn't make sense to do the same thing for every single business. And so I really dig in.

Especially when I initially work with someone, I have like an audit, I take them through and it's able to gather all those details and that information so that I can then look and say, okay, this is what we need to start with and this is how we're going to kind of start changing it.

And then of course, as I learn more about them, then continue to tailor those solutions for them.

Gresham Harkless 07:47

Yeah, and that's huge. And it probably makes all the difference because a lot of times I know a lot of business owners, even myself, I can say that sometimes you don't realize all the things that you're doing.

So sometimes you need somebody to say, okay, pulls you out of the doer and more of, I guess the CEO, so to speak, where you're able to kind of see all those things.

But then you're also able to say, okay, this is what I need you to help me out with. Because these are all the things that I don't even realize that I'm doing and that need to get done.

Sara Lingenfelter 08:11

Yeah. Well, an interesting example is that since I often help my clients with their team members, most people would think, oh, you're helping hire VA’s.

Well, I had a client who, his business is very different and he needed like an instructor's assistant. And he teaches like Linux skills, like computer stuff like I don't even understand.

And so, and I don't need to understand it to help him. And I've been working with him, I think about a year and a half now.

And he wanted to hire this instructor's assistant and I was able to help him do so. And he said, what I never thought I'd find someone that loved Linux as much as he did, that would just love answering students questions, want to work remotely.

And so I really, I had never hired somebody like that hiring is something I help with a lot. And I look, okay, what do they need? And then let's find that person. And it was fun.

Gresham Harkless 08:57

Yeah, it definitely sounds like it and I love it because you kind of just are able to, I think it's definitely a gift to be able to distill down like what a person is looking because sometimes we get caught in, oh, you need to know how to speak Linux or talk about Linux or speak to Linux.

But in reality there's certain skills and you're able to kind of see that and make that match making happen.

Sara Lingenfelter 09:15

Exactly, yeah, I love doing that.

Gresham Harkless 09:18

Yeah, yeah, definitely sounds like you're really, really good at it. So I appreciate you for helping out these entrepreneurs and business owners.

And what I wanted to do was switch gears a little bit and ask you for what I call a CEO hack. And this might be an app, a book or a habit that you have, but it's something that makes you more effective and efficient.

Sara Lingenfelter 09:32

Oh, when I, gosh, thinking about this, like there's so many things, but to pick one, it would be the book Essentialism. Have you heard of it?

Gresham Harkless 09:40

Oh yes, I have. I swear by that book. I picked up one thing. It's one of my favorite books.

Sara Lingenfelter 09:47

All clients, all of my clients need it. And if anybody hasn't read it, they will learn that it really tells you to put all your energy into a single thing and how far you can go as opposed to putting all of that same amount of energy into a hundred different things.

And I like the diagram he gives in the book. And I actually got to hear him speak live once and meet him and I was just like, your book is the best thing ever.

Everybody needs to read it. But yeah, it's a hard lesson to learn, I think for a lot of us, but it's needed.

Gresham Harkless 10:14

Yeah, it's funny, I chant that mantra often. Less is more. And then it talks about defining what those essential things are, but also how important rest, how important play is all those things incorporated into your life.

And I read that book, I wanna say probably about six or seven months ago, I was like, yeah, I haven't actually, I only have the audio-book, so I haven't even seen the diagram. So now I have to go get the book.

Sara Lingenfelter 10:38

Yeah, I have mine over my bookshelf. It's all highlighted and drawn on. Yes, definitely the top thing I would recommend for my hack.

Gresham Harkless 10:47

Nice. I love it. I love it. And now I wanted to ask you for what I call a CEO nugget. And this is a word of wisdom or piece of advice or if you could hop into a time machine, what would you tell your younger business self?

Sara Lingenfelter 10:58

Oh goodness, this one. There's so many lessons, but I think what I would say is stop trying to do what everybody else has done.

Meaning if you see somebody successful and they say I did these five things, that doesn't mean that's what you need to do to grow your business.

Usually deep down you will know what your next step is. You will know what feels right to you. And so many times I did what I thought I should do because somebody else did it.

And, I've now learned that lesson, like to listen to myself and if it doesn't feel right, don't do it.

But that's the nugget that I would give is like stop trying to do exactly what somebody else did because it's not going to be your secret to success. You'll have to figure out what works for you.

Gresham Harkless 11:44

Absolutely. Yeah, I agree with that. And, it comes down to sometimes being able to trust yourself because a lot of times you have that special feeling or that kind of nagging feeling that's telling you what to do, but because maybe nobody else is doing it or so and so said do X, Y and Z.

You're like, okay, well maybe that's the wrong answer. But a lot of times when you go back and look at it, you're like, oh, I should X, Y and Z. Yeah, exactly.

Sara Lingenfelter 12:05

And I think mentors and people like that are great. I'm not saying don't learn from someone, but I just think sometimes we can think, oh, if I buy this, it's going to give me these 10 steps and then my business is going to hit six figures.

And when your gut maybe telling you wait, wait, wait, no, there's something you should be doing different or this new idea and just trust yourself and it'll take some time to get to that place.

For those people that are maybe listening to this and kind of starting out like it's kind of something by you learn by experience.

Gresham Harkless 12:30

Yeah, I definitely would agree with that. I still have to make sure I listen to myself too. So it's one of those non stopping, I guess things that you have to pay attention to. Right?

Sara Lingenfelter 12:40

Yeah, I agree.

Gresham Harkless 12:41

Awesome, awesome, awesome. And now I want to ask you my absolute favorite question, which is the definition of what it means to be a CEO.

And we're hoping to have different CEOs on the show. So, Sara, I wanted to ask you, what does being a CEO mean to you?

Sara Lingenfelter 12:52

Yeah, I love this. So, to me, being a CEO is being somebody who does own a business, is making the decisions, but has that freedom to make those ultimate decisions that control what your day, what your life, what your business looks like.

So you are the boss. You are in charge. You're not. I think sometimes we get a stereotype of what a CEO is, and we think we have to be doing these, these certain things.

And, at the end of the day, you should be happy with what you're doing. And being a CEO to me means making those decisions that create your happiness in your life and your business, despite what anybody else might say.

Gresham Harkless 13:35

Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I think it's all in alignment with what you talked about and how you're able to run your business, how you want to run your business, just like how you mentioned your clients do and being able to make those decisions.

You have your coaches, have your consultants that you pay attention to, but ultimately, you make that decision yourself. So you kind of take ownership of those decisions and the action in order to do that.

Sara Lingenfelter 13:53

Yeah, definitely. Because there's what works for me may not work for somebody else, and they need to make those decisions that make them happy and shapes their business.

And what they want it to look like, regardless of all the other things, all the other ways out there they could build a business. It needs to be what makes them happy at the end of the day.

Gresham Harkless 14:12

Exactly. Exactly. There's more than one way to skin a cat, as I always tell myself. Well, awesome. Well, Sara, I truly appreciate you for taking some time out.

What I want to do is pass you to the micro just to see if there's anything additional you want to let our readers and our listeners know and, of course, how best they can get a hold of you.

Sara Lingenfelter 14:27

As far as anything additional, I would just say, if you have an idea or you have. Cause you kind of said that if there's something, sometimes you get an idea, you want to do something.

But it's like, oh, what are people going to think? Or worrying so much about what people think? I used to care way too much about what people think, and my business looks so different now, and I'm so happy I started making decisions about what works for me.

And so that's what I would just tell people. Quit worrying about what everybody thinks. Find people you respect to learn from, but at the end of the day, do what feels right to you. And you'll make some mistakes, but you'll figure it out too.

Gresham Harkless 15:00

Absolutely.

Sara Lingenfelter 15:01

And if they want to find me online, they can go to virtualbizpartner.com that's my main website. And I'm on Facebook as Virtual Biz Partner and I'm on LinkedIn. They can find me Sara Lingenfelter as well as Instagram.

So I'd love to connect with any of them that might have questions and help inspire them to get where they want to be in their business.

Gresham Harkless 15:21

Absolutely. And I truly appreciate you for all that you're doing. You're helping out so many entrepreneurs and business owners and virtual assistants are awesome.

So thank you for all the support that you're giving. I appreciate your time and I hope you have a phenomenal rest of the day.

Sara Lingenfelter 15:32

Thanks. You too.

Outro 15:34

Thank you for listening to the I AM CEO Podcast, powered by CBNation and Blue16 Media. Tune in next time and visit us at iamceo.co. I AM CEO is not just a phrase. It's a community.

Be sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and everywhere you listen to podcasts. Subscribe and leave us a five-star rating. This has been the I AM CEO Podcast with Gresham Harkless Jr. Thank you for listening.

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