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Ep 34: Building Her Virtual Assistant Business While Having Lupus with Gwendolyn Young

  • Aug 4, 2021
  • 3 min read

Updated: Oct 3, 2022


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Welcome to Episode 34! Today we have Gwendolyn Young from Your Admin Expert on the show. Checkout Gwendolyn's story on the podcast and read about it below.


If you want to know how this Vabulous bossbabe is building a successful online business while having lupus, listen to the episode now.


Gwendolyn's story in her own words:

In 2013, I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus and had to retire from my corporate job. It was during recovery that I said "Lord, what am I supposed to do? How can I take care of myself, do something I love and still contribute to my family financially?"

I heard his response clearly, "it's in your hands." So I started thinking about all the admin and operations work I did in the corporate world for nearly 15 years and began researching if that was possible to do in the virtual space, and found there was an entire industry online doing what I was good at.


I had no plans or desire to become an entrepreneur, but I had a choice to make. Go back to Corporate America and deal with the bureaucracy when it came to needing time off, doctor's visits, etc., continue fighting the social security administration to prove I needed support, OR create a business that had the potential to replace my corporate income, give me the freedom and flexibility I needed to take care of myself, and work with amazing people across the globe. I chose #3.


And since then, my team and I have helped dozens of professional service providers, coaches and consultants with everything from calendar management, client onboarding, speaker manaegment, social media management, systems implementation, billing & invoicing, and the list goes on. Operations is our jam!


I've done some other cool stuff too like:

  • Studied at some of the top private institutions in Illinois.

  • Earned a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership from Lewis University.

  • Earned a Bachelors Degree in Business Information Systems from DeVry University.

  • Been recognized as one of the most influential women in business by the Daily Herald Business Ledger in partnership with the National Association of Women Business Owners – Chicago Chapter and the Women’s Innovation Network.

  • Received the Elizabeth Timpton’s Girls Mentoring Award for my work in the community by Passages Alternative Living, Inc.

  • And was one of twenty emerging leaders in the US selected as the receipient of the 2012 Judith O’Connor Scholar Award for Emerging Nonprofit Leaders by BoardSource.

Whew, I know right, a mouth full.


MY MODUS OPERANDI

Kolbe- A: 8-6-3-3

MBTI: ESTJ

My Rocket Fuel: Being an Integrator


What we discussed

  • What was it like trying to build your VA business while having lupus?

  • What were some of the challenges you encountered?

  • How did you find the strength to push through?

  • What's your core expertise?

  • What type of clients do you love to work with?


Resources Mentioned

Download the "Are You In The Genius Zone Checklist" here as mentioned in the podcast using the code VAB: https://www.nomoreoverwhelm.com


Brunch Recommendation

The Clubhouse in Lansing, IL US


Reach out

Virtual Assistants Brunch Podcast

Hosted By Nirlande Singleton

Virtual Assistants Brunch Club is a social club and VA network that serves the largest brunch community of virtual assistants in the VA industry. Our mission is to empower virtual assistants with the resources and support that they need to thrive and become leaders in the VA industry. We have 300+ members and allies in our network and our online VAB community has 340+ members with nearly a quarter engaging on a weekly basis. The majority of our members work from home or remotely, have 1 to 3 years of experience, identify as millennials and joined Virtual Assistants Brunch Club through word of mouth or social media. We work with both VA companies and bossbabe networks and women in business groups to build virtual-centered spaces that revolve around career advice, recruiting, mentorship and networking in order to comprehensively affect change in the VA industry.




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