Today we’d like to introduce you to Maddie Austin.
Hi Maddie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Before starting my virtual assistant business, Maddie’s Desk, I spent over four years in the hospitality industry, managing boutique co-working spaces and overseeing the day-to-day operations of 100+ companies—ranging from scrappy start-ups to Fortune 500s—in Downtown Los Angeles and Pasadena.
I found it incredibly rewarding to serve as a source of support for the growing companies in my space. My small but integral role was to provide a seamless, turn-key work experience on a daily basis. In 2020, as the world shifted to remote work, I wondered: How can I use my skill set to continue providing the same high-quality support virtually? Et voilà! Maddie’s Desk was born.
I started asking business owners around the office if they had any extra work I could assist with. As it turns out, everyone has extra work, and everyone needs help. I began with easily accessible tasks like organizing inboxes and scheduling appointments but quickly transitioned to higher-level work as I became more involved in each of my clients’ businesses. I was assisting with marketing campaigns, coordinating press trips, managing client accounts, fulfilling wholesale orders, creating onboarding systems, planning team off-sites—the list goes on and on.
I dedicated every moment outside of my full-time job—mornings, lunch breaks, and evenings—to working on Maddie’s Desk, until eventually, I took a leap of faith and quit to pursue my business full-time. Come December 2023, I’ll be celebrating two years in business.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I made the leap to quit my full-time job and pursue my business full-time, I thought the biggest hurdle would be sourcing clients and maintaining a consistent salary, but within three months, I had nine clients and was working 15-hour days. I was running on the adrenaline and excitement of doing something that was my own; there was a real sense of pride, but there was also an extreme, unsustainable lack of work/life balance. I spread myself thin and realized that the quality of my work was suffering.
I needed to recalibrate and invest more hours into fewer clients, which was incredibly hard for me as I was so deeply invested in all the client relationships I’d built. As a business owner, I think it’s easy to develop tunnel vision and find yourself burnt out. Recognizing that it’s a marathon, not a sprint, has been a pivotal lesson that allows me to continue showing up as my best self.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Maddie’s Desk is not just your run-of-the-mill virtual assistant business; we’re the boutique solution for small business owners who are ready to outsource. Think of us as your virtual Swiss army knife, ready to tackle a diverse array of tasks, allowing you to reclaim time and concentrate on business growth.
What sets us apart? There are two key elements:
1.) Proactive, Not Reactive: We anticipate your needs instead of waiting for direction. We pride ourselves on taking the initiative, identifying areas where we can dive in and take work off your plate. Our goal is to actively contribute to the efficiency and growth of your business.
2.) Hospitality Roots: Our roots in hospitality shine through in the exceptional level of customer service you’ll experience. Whether it’s in internal communications with you and your team or in external interactions with your clientele, you can trust us to represent your business with professionalism and warmth.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
As a child, I was a bit of a “Jane of all trades,” I wanted to try everything—soccer, tennis, softball, dance, chorus, horseback riding, basketball, track, and volleyball. I signed up for every after-school activity offered, which probably drove my mother crazy. I wasn’t a superstar in any one space, but I was solid, a hard worker, and enjoyed being part of a team that achieved something collectively.
I think it’s important to engage in your curiosities; possessing skills in multiple areas is extremely valuable. I’ve carried this approach into adulthood, building a business around the concept. Each of my clients operates in a different industry—a PR firm, a tea company, a digital advertising & marketing agency, a business coach, and a professional volleyball player. Joining their teams has felt like a crash course in various professions, allowing me to explore my interests.
Is it cheesy to end with a Shakespeare quote? “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.maddiesdesk.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maddieaustin/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/maddie-s-desk-llc/
Image Credits
Image credit: Liam Austin
