Hey there, mama! I'm Julia Vicidomini, the face behind The Virtual Desk Agents, your go-to virtual assistant agency for all things tech and marketing. If you're a mompreneur, just like me, looking to navigate the digital world and take your small business to new heights, you're in the right place. In this blog post, I want to introduce myself formally to our amazing community of mompreneurs. So, grab a cup of coffee, get cozy, and let's dive into my journey and how it can benefit you!
***This post may contain affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission. I only share items that I truly love and use or want to use for myself. For more information please see my disclosures here.
From Past Struggles to Present Happiness
I'm not just your typical CEO; I'm also a wife and a mom of three incredible kids. My journey into motherhood and entrepreneurship was far from ordinary. It all began when I decided to explore opportunities that would allow me to supplement my income while juggling the demands of being a mom and a caregiver for my disabled child.
Before the arrival of my youngest, I was working in the public school system, and I yearned for a work-from-home gig that would enable me to be there for my new baby and my child with special needs. That's when fate led me to stumble upon the term "virtual assistant." With nearly two decades of experience as an executive administrative assistant, a love for technology, and a strong desire to generate income without sacrificing precious moments with my family, I knew I had to dive into this world of virtual assistance.
I made the bold decision to invest in a course that resonated with me, a course that would teach me the ins and outs of starting a virtual assistant business. But I didn't stop there. I chose to build my business as an agency model, envisioning a platform where I could empower other moms like me. Moms searching for the same balance between providing for their households and being present for their families.
My journey has been one of growth, learning, and resilience, and I'm here to share all the highs and lows with you. Because in the world of mompreneurship, we understand that life takes unexpected turns, and it's our resilience that leads us to happiness and success.
A Mother's Unwavering Love
I have three incredible children with quite an age gap: 19, 10, and 4 years old. My oldest son, a man of few words but deep care for his family and friends, is from a previous relationship. He graduated high school in 2022. He's still navigating his path, reminding me again that everyone's journey unfolds at its own pace.
My second son's story is one of strength and resilience. Born prematurely at just 31 weeks and weighing only 2lbs8ozs, brought unique challenges into my life. After numerous tests, we received a diagnosis of Sotos Syndrome, a rare genetic condition. He's non-verbal and on the more severe side of the autism spectrum, which has led to him receiving various therapies and support services. He's the sweetest boy, loving, and compassionate, even though he can't use spoken words to communicate his love.
It took me some time to realize that I couldn't face all the challenges of raising a child with special needs alone. While I will always be his primary caregiver, I've built a tribe of family, therapists, friends, doctors, and school professionals to support me on this incredible journey with my special needs son.
My youngest, my little princess, is a joy beyond words. Born a preemie too at 36 weeks and weighing 6lbs8ozs, her stay in the NICU was brief, at only four days. She's the entertainer of our family, with her witty and hilarious comments keeping us all in stitches. I see so much of myself and my husband in her, and her ingenuity hints at a highly successful entrepreneur in her future. I'm committed to nurturing her tenacity at all costs.
These three incredible souls bring boundless love and joy to my life every day, and I'm grateful for the unique journey I share with each of them.
In my journey, I've been fortunate to have a loving and supportive husband who is not just my life partner but also my best friend. He stands by me unwaveringly, encouraging and championing every decision I make to challenge myself and reach new heights in both motherhood and entrepreneurship.
My Why: The Driving Force
Let's talk about my driving force—the "why" behind my journey. I've experienced firsthand the struggles of being a working mom, especially a working mom of a child with special needs. Many employers fail to understand the unique dynamics we face. Finding a career that allows me to be both a dedicated mom and wife while contributing financially to my household was a challenging balance to strike.
For many years, I was fortunate to have an administrator who wholeheartedly believed that family always comes first. His unwavering support and compassion were evident as he accommodated the diverse family needs of our staff members. Even during the challenging times of the COVID pandemic, his commitment to recognizing and addressing individual family needs remained steadfast.
However, as fate would have it, his retirement at the end of the pandemic brought about a significant shift in my work environment. It became clear that not all employers share the same perspective and dedication to family support. My family's needs, along with those of my colleagues, were no longer being considered as they once were.
It's essential to emphasize that this transition has propelled me to the path of entrepreneurship as a proactive step towards achieving the balance, time freedom, and financial independence that I believe all working moms deserve. My online business not only grants me the flexibility to be there for my family but also empowers me to support other moms in their quest for the same balance and freedom.
In sharing this journey, I aim to inspire and uplift fellow mompreneurs who may have faced similar challenges in the workplace. Together, we can create a supportive community where the aspirations of working moms are not just acknowledged but celebrated.
The Business: The Virtual Desk Agents
Now, let's talk business! The Virtual Desk Agents is my brainchild, my way of combining my passion for helping moms like you with my expertise in digital marketing and tech. We specialize in supporting mompreneurs in marketing their businesses online. Our team handles social media management, email marketing, website landing pages, lead magnets, and so much more.
But that's not all! We're continuously evolving to meet your needs. I've recently added digital products, and soon we'll be offering courses to empower mompreneurs at all stages of their journey, both in business and at home. We want you to leverage the power of AI, specifically ChatGPT, to market your business and maximize efficiency. As a certified prompt engineer, I'm excited to share my knowledge through digital products and courses, so you can harness the potential of AI in your business.
As a special gift to kickstart your AI journey, I've included a free digital download of 10 ChatGPT prompts. These prompts will assist you in creating your ideal customer avatar, enabling you to craft more impactful content for your business marketing. This free download is just a taste of what's to come in our offerings related to using AI to market your business online. I'd love to hear your feedback once you've downloaded these prompts. Did you find them valuable? Were you able to create content in a way you haven't before? Your input is invaluable to us as we continue to refine and enhance our offerings. Download the prompts here.
The Power of Connections: My Experience with Business Coaching Communities
I want to share an unpopular opinion that challenges the conventional wisdom of business coaching: investing in a business coach too early in your entrepreneurial journey might not yield the expected return on investment. It's a perspective I've gained through personal experience and one that I believe can be valuable for mompreneurs starting their own businesses.
When I embarked on my mompreneurial journey, I was filled with ambition and a desire to learn everything about running a successful business. The idea of hiring a business coach seemed like the golden ticket to accelerate my progress. However, I soon realized that my business was in its infancy, and the fundamentals were still taking shape. The hefty investment in a coach didn't necessarily align with the stage of my business's development.
I'd like to emphasize that business coaching can be incredibly beneficial and transformative, but the timing matters significantly. From my perspective, it's more prudent to bootstrap your business using the plethora of free resources and knowledge available until you've reached a point where your venture is generating consistent sales and you can confidently anticipate a return on your coaching investment. Only then does the guidance of a business coach become a strategic move to fine-tune your operations and catapult your business to the next level.
I acknowledge that every entrepreneur's journey is unique, and there are instances where early coaching investments have proven successful. However, my personal experience has led me to appreciate the value of being financially prudent and seeking coaching when your business is at a stage where the guidance can be maximally effective. By sharing this perspective, I hope to empower other mompreneurs to make informed decisions about their entrepreneurial path and investment choices.
Join Our Community
Throughout our journey together, I'll be addressing you as mama, mom boss, boss mom, mompreneur, boss babe, and boss mama because that's what you are! We're here to build each other up, share knowledge, and support one another in this crazy world of entrepreneurship.
Speaking of communities, we have a fantastic Facebook group called "The Productive Mompreneur: Juggling Business & Life." It's a space where you can connect with like-minded mompreneurs, share your experiences, and support each other on this incredible journey. You can join the group here.
So, welcome to our tribe! Feel free to share your thoughts, questions, and experiences in the comments below. I can't wait to get to know you better and embark on this incredible journey together. Stay tuned for more valuable insights and tips to help you thrive as a mompreneur. Together, we've got this!
Stay Connected with Us!
Don't forget to follow us on all our platforms: Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Spaces by Wix, and YouTube. Together, we'll continue to thrive and make our entrepreneurial dreams a reality.
FAQs
How did you come up with the idea for The Virtual Desk Agents?
The Virtual Desk Agents was born out of my passion for helping mompreneurs succeed online. I realized the need for expert tech and marketing support, and that's how the idea took shape.
Can you share some tips for balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship?
Absolutely! Finding a balance can be challenging, but it's possible. One key tip is to delegate tasks that don't require your personal touch, allowing you to focus on what matters most.
What inspired you to add digital products and courses to your services?
I saw the need for comprehensive support for mompreneurs at all stages of their journey. Digital products and courses offer a structured way for them to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.
How can I connect with other mompreneurs in your community?
Our comment section is a great place to start! Share your thoughts and experiences, and you'll find like-minded mompreneurs eager to connect and collaborate. Join our vibrant Facebook group, "The Productive Mompreneur: Juggling Business & Life," and become a part of our supportive community.
What's your favorite mompreneur success story from your agency?
There are so many incredible stories, but one that stands out is a mom who went from struggling with online marketing to running a thriving e-commerce business, all with our support.
What's the biggest challenge you've faced as a mompreneur, and how did you overcome it?
Stepping back from the business in Summer/Fall 2023 to support a family member through a challenging situation was a significant challenge. Overcoming it involved finding the motivation to return to the business amidst changing dynamics.
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