We had the good fortune of connecting with Tara McKelvey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tara, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Starting my own business started as a desperate attempt to leave the corporate world. After being burnt-out since college, I realized I didn’t want to spend the next 40 years spending 80% of my life being tired from a job I was no longer passionate about. I went to Boss Vision Conference in 2022 and met Sabatini of In Demand VA, who opened me to the world of VA’s. I realized as a Virtual Assistant, I could become my own boss, use my strengths, and help support other business owners along the way! Truly the best of both worlds!

What should our readers know about your business?
Something that sets my business apart is communication, respect and quality. There are SO many misconceptions around VA’s where we are considered cheap labor or low qualified workers. But virtual assistants are people who took control over their work, their career, income and lives! I am someone who is HUGE on communication and respect. I think the majority of issues employees, business owners, contractors, etc. have in their working world is due to lack of communication and respect. Anyone I meet or work with understands from the start that communication is the way we will have a successful working relationship! And I’ve learned (and am still learning) how to give my clients the best quality work and deliverables.

It hasn’t been easy working through my first slow season, but it taught me how to better structure my business. I’ve also learned the importance of multiple streams of income to help pad any losses of income from other facets in my business!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would start the day at Village Baking Co. to grab a coffee and pastry, we’d take the coffee to go and walk Katy Trail. We’d HAVE to make a stop at the Ice House for a margarita! Then we’d take a dip at my apartment pool or go to the Virgin Hotel Pool with a day pass. We’d either go do a succulent or candle making class, or do a cocktail making class. Then we’d finish with dinner at Mexican Sugar at Uptown and then go out to Happiest Hour or Te Deseo.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Dallas Girl Gang and Sabatini Ferdinand helped me on the path to my VA business. Dallas Girl Gang gave me opportunities. to meet other women and entrepreneurs in the city, which led me to making a group of friends who owned their own businesses. We all went to Boss Vision Conference together and I met Sabatini. She spoke on being a VA, CEO, and business owner and I was inspired. I bought her course shortly after, which helped me set-up my VA business. If I didn’t go to the conference, I would still be stuck, unhappy, and tired in my corporate role!

Most of all, I want to thank my amazing husband, Brandon McKelvey, for being constant support and my rock through it all. Making the decision to go all in on my business was absolutely terrifying, but he’s helped me remember what I bring to the table and how I can achieve anything I set my mind to.
Also shout out to my amazing parents, Ron and Valerie Barber. Although this was an untraditional route to take my career, they were nothing but supportive and celebrated me every step of the way! So much love to them!

Website: itsvirtuallytara.com

Instagram: @itsvirtuallytara

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-mckelvey-96767b18a/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089319003070

Other: https://stan.store/itsvirtuallytara

Image Credits
Taylor Thomas Studio

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