Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanesha Williams.
Hi Tanesha, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Tanesha Williams, CEO of Red Stapler Associates, a virtual assistant company. I started Red Stapler Associates in February of 2019 as I was finishing my Master’s in Project Management. I realized that I didn’t want to work for someone else after being a stay at home mother and graduate student for the last three years. I’d worked for various nonprofits for over ten years prior, but after being at home with my family, I knew that going to an office building to be another expendable cog in the wheel was not what I wanted.
So, I prayed about what my purpose was and did some research on how I could accomplish it. I realized that I wanted to help small business owners achieve their goals – and I had the knowledge and experience to do it. I had a conversation with my husband – who has been unbelievably supportive – and decided that I would start my own virtual assistant company. I wanted to help female business owners who were looking to scale to reach the next level in their business. In February, I’ll be celebrating my second year in business. I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to partner with almost a dozen business owners over the years and support them in elevating their businesses. The joy I experience when I see my clients succeed and exceed the goals that they set for themselves and their business is immense. And it just proves that I was truly purposed for this.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Just like any other new business, the road for Red Stapler Associates has not been smooth. Figuring out the ins and outs of running a business – licensing, contracts, client management, etc. – has been interesting, to say the least. I’ve had my computer die on me in the middle of a project, clients that ghosted me, and personal setbacks that made me consider giving up… but God. At every turn, He reminded me that I was made to help others with my educational knowledge, experience, abilities, and drive. So I couldn’t give up because my clients depend on me. So while I have made some mistakes and experienced “failure,” as a project management professional, I know that it is important to use the lessons learned from those mistakes to ensure my future projects’ success because these lessons have only made my business stronger and provided me with more experience to benefit my clients.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Red Stapler Associates?
Red Stapler Associates provides administrative, project, and systems management services for small business owners that have discovered that they can not do it alone and are ready to partner with me to grow their business. My passion is helping others achieve their business dreams from behind the scenes. I provide administrative and business support and operate as a hype woman, sounding board, devil’s advocate, and one of my client’s biggest supporters in business. I started this business because of my desire to help others achieve their dreams by providing them with the support they needed to accomplish their goals. I have over ten years of professional experience in project planning, program development, and administrative management.
Along the way, I’ve collected three degrees in English (BS), Organizational Communications (MS), and Project Management (MS), which have all provided me with a solid foundation for my services. I believe that being proactive – not reactive – is essential to accomplish great things. My clients appreciate the initiative that I show in addressing any concerns before they become larger problems. When it comes to Red Stapler Associates, I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve developed as a business support professional. When I take on a client, I agree to partner with them in making their business successful. I focus on their pain points and develop a system that allows us to overcome those areas so they can focus on their true passion. I understand the trust given to me when a client chooses to work with me – and I do not take that trust for granted.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The Covid-19 pandemic was so unexpected. I had just had my baby girl in February, and by mid-March, it seemed like the world came to a standstill. I was so afraid to leave my house, and I remember thinking how thankful I was that I worked from home and didn’t have to because so many of my friends and family did. What I’ve learned over the course of this year is that it’s okay to pause, reflect, and pivot your business when unexpected events occur. Some of my clients had to cancel events, while others shifted their whole mindset when it came to their business, and it was okay. Those shifts led to better business opportunities or more customers in the end. So, I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned is not to hold onto an idea because of fear – be bold and take the leap to achieve whatever your goal may be. You could be pleasantly surprised at the outcome.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@redstaplerassociates.com
- Website: www.redstaplerassociates.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redstaplerassociates/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redstaplerassociates
Image Credits
Kay Hillman at Moments with MK Photography
