Client Highlight: Q&A with Productivity Expert Marcey Rader

We’re happy to start this new series of questions and answers with some of our Virtual Latinos Clients. For our first guest, we got the honor and privilege to chat with Marcey Rader from Raleigh, North Carolina, founder of Work Well. Play More! Marcey shares some of her wisdom on being able to reach and live a productive, clutter-free, healthy lifestyle, as well as tips on how to help other business owners and entrepreneurs to grow their businesses

Q&As:

1. Please share a brief description of your business, how you got started, and why you chose it?
   I own a productivity and health coaching and speaking company. Before starting my business seven years ago, I worked in pharma/biotech clinical research for fourteen years and was a corporate trainer and training manager. People were always asking me how I did it all – work, ultra-race, have a relationship and shut down with inbox zero every night. It made sense to do what came naturally!
2. What types of businesses or people do you work with?
   Many of my clients are in the pharma/biotech space, but I’ve worked from manufacturing to finance, from North Dakota to Dubai. People in all businesses want boundaries, better focus, and healthy behaviors in their lives. I work with small business owners as well as corporate professionals, typically manager level and above.

3. What are the top 3 keys to your business success?
   I surround myself with key people. When I was starting, I thought I couldn’ afford a virtual assistant. I firmly believe that because I hired one early on, I am much farther along than other people that started at the same time. It allows me to focus on the big picture. I’m also very persistent, but not in a pushy way. I have systems for follow-up that work well for me. Lastly, I take time for myself. As much as I love what I do, I know that the creative part comes from being away from the business.
4. Who would you consider your key team members or key roles for your business success? (Marketing, Sales Specialist, Admin, Cold-callers, etc?)
   My full-time virtual assistant has been with me for five years. She does all of my website, marketing materials, and administrative tasks. I know how to do these things on my own, but they are not an effective use of my time. I recently hired a concierge for client-facing activities. A concierge means my clients receive an even higher level of service, and I can focus more on coaching and speaking than program logistics.
5. What unique value propositions do you offer your clients?
   We declutter the mind, body, and business one habit at a time.
6. How do you measure your business success, and how do you try to improve it?
   My client’s success is our success. I have a strong track record of promotions, business growth, and health improvements with all of my clients. I also have eight Specialists on my team, all of whom own their own business. Being able to give them work means I’ve been successful. And of course, there is always revenue. Tangible success is also paying all your bills and having plenty of money to sock away and even play!
7. If you could go back in time 10 or 20 years, what would be the #1 tip of advice you’d give yourself?
   At 36, I was starting to hit a low point where my job was killing me, I had gone into early menopause from a high-intensity, high-stress lifestyle, and my marriage was suffering. I was the primary breadwinner and thought there was no way I could leave my job behind. I would tell myself to walk away. Your health and marriage is a priority. You’ll find a way to make money, and you’ll be happier doing it. It won’t be easy, but you’ll be more fulfilled in your life.
8. What’s the #1 tip you’d give other entrepreneurs or business owners looking to grow their business?
   Hire a virtual assistant! Don’t wait another day.
9. Would you recommend others to hire a virtual assistant (VA)? and if so why?
   I recommend it several times a week. I am a strong advocate of working in your line of genius and giving others opportunities they may not have. That’s why I like working with Virtual Latinos, because I know I am giving someone work in a country that isn’t as economically strong as the US.
10. What are the best tools and systems you recommend for working with a VA?
    I like Asana for project management, Google Chat for instant message, and Voxer for voice and text messaging.
11. Do you have any tips or advice for anyone who’s starting to work with a VA for the first time?
    Start capturing video screen shares of all the tasks you are doing to handoff. The video makes the training more accessible, and since you are doing it anyway, it doesn’t take up much more time.
12. What do you think about the future of businesses in regards to hiring VAs as part of their team?
    I don’t like the term virtual assistant because it’s underwhelming. They are so much more than assistants. I think COVID-19 has put to rest the fear of hiring people remotely because so many people had to go remote. It doesn’t matter if they are down the street or a time zone away! Anyone can hire and feel confident with a virtual assistant.