FIRST CHOICE VIRTUAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES

Renée is the Founder and Managing Director of First Choice Virtual Assistance Services She made it her mission to assist mental health professionals and coaches with the tasks that can take up so much time and energy Renée graduated from the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago with a BSc in Psychology in 2016, and she fully understands the importance of confidentiality and the need for personalized attention

Covid hit, and she found herself stuck in a never-ending commute to and from work. Jobs were temporarily moved to the online space That is when it hit her - to start her own business and make a difference in people’s lives. First Choice Virtual Assistance Services was born by combining her love for administrative work with her field of study (Psychology)

As a virtual assistant, she specializes in caring for all those pesky administrative tasks that mental health professionals and coaches dread Her vision reaches far beyond just streamlining operations

While she assists her clients in achieving their top-line revenue goals, she is also determined to create more opportunities for individuals to gain invaluable experience within the industry. Together, they build a community that thrives on professional and personal growth

What services do you provide, and who is your target market that you work with?

I handle the administrative tasks of mental health professionals and coaches My support facilitates the growth of a practice As a Virtual Assistant, I can do many things, but for now, I focus on providing services like calendar management, client support (via email/messages/phone calls), data entry, social media management, etc Eventually, the list of services will expand.

What is the mission and vision of First Choice Virtual Assistance Services?

Mission–To provide admin support to five (5) mental health professionals and/or coaches by September 2024 We want to ensure our clients focus on providing the best care for their clients’ well-being

The Vision-Empowering Mental Wellness through Virtual Administrative Support solutions

What are some of the benefits of using a Virtual Assistant (VA)?

Having a skilled virtual assistant on your team is a gamechanger! Thanks to my experience, I have given back valuable hours to my clients, ensuring their satisfaction and loyalty.

With timely reminders and prompt support, I help keep appointments on track, minimize no-shows, and boost client engagement. I also organize digital files and update records, contributing to order and reducing clutter

Outside of business, who is Renée in seven words?

That is a great question! Outside of business, Renée is:

Compassionate An Eager Learner Energetic Mental Health Advocate Patient Resilient Resourceful

How do you practice self-care?

My last job was so demanding that my mental health & self-care routine suffered. I would work for hours on end with no breaks, and sometimes I would miss meals, making me sick I needed to regain my balance, so the first thing I did to practice the best self-care for myself was leave that job

The next thing I did was set clear boundaries and practice saying the word ‘ no, ’ which has sometimes been difficult for me. Creating a schedule has helped me feel less overwhelmed. However, I best practice selfcare by taking breaks and spending time with my loved ones Creating memories that last a lifetime is important, and I am ensuring it is done

What have been some of the challenges of switching from an employee mindset to an entrepreneur mindset as a business owner?

Switching from an employee mindset to an entrepreneur mindset did have a few challenges For instance, I had to understand that making a mistake as an entrepreneur is a natural part of the process Learning from it would only help me get better. With an employee mindset, I felt like I had to be the smartest person in the room, but having an entrepreneur mindset means surrounding myself with people who are smarter than me and not viewing it as a competition but rather a collaboration Even though it was a little scary having to take on a new world of responsibilities, I know for sure that it was worth it

What advice would you give to a woman who wants to start a business?

You are capable of anything, so if there is something you want to do, go for it! Do your research, get some mentorship, and make genuine connections These aspects can take you really far. When I started, I didn’t know much about entrepreneurship, but I crafted a plan and worked towards it every day. I’m still learning, but as an entrepreneur, this is part of the mindset to get familiar with – be in a constant state of learning!

What is your definition of a Pretty Woman Who Hustles?

To me, a pretty woman who hustles refers to a woman who is beautiful (both inside and out) and works tirelessly to create the life she WANTS and desires While it is easy to get caught up in the overwhelm each day may bring, a pretty woman who hustles knows it is important to maintain healthy boundaries and balance her personal and professional life properly.