In this episode Jess Ostroff shares what she learned as an assistant that helped her become a CEO and how to scale your business with a virtual team.
Jess is the Founder and CEO of Don’t Panic Management. Her company provides virtual assistants for professionals and companies desperate for help but not necessarily in a position to hire full-time, on-site staff.
Episode Highlights
• 2:31 – How the idea for Don’t Panic Management was born
•7:58 – The mindset shift Jess had to undergo to go from helping others to succeed to running her own production
•13:10 – How to create a productive workforce and scale your business with a virtual team
•14:05 – The definitive guide to hiring a VA (and why your VA having a hobby is important)
•15:30 – How to create company culture with a virtual team
•18:30 – Key lessons Jess learned as an assistant that helped her as a CEO
•22:10 – Jess shares her top delegation tips (her acclaimed 3 lists to freedom)
•36:50 – Some of the gnarliest challenges Jess’s team has faced and what she learned
1. Favorite book for women?
- Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes. It delivers an important message that “it’s okay to be down sometimes, as long as you can get back up.”
2. Favorite self-care hack?
- Getting outside and going for walk. “We’re sometimes so busy that we get stuck in our own bubble going for a walk is invigorating and makes me feel so alive.”
3. Best piece of advice and who gave it to you?
- “If you can make sure that every decision you make is propelling you forward, then you know it’s the right decision.” – her friend Greg
4. Female CEO or thought leader you’re into right now?
- Gloria Steinem, “She’s seen a lot that has happened around the world, particularly with women, and has put it in perspective.”
5. One piece of advice you’d give your 5 years younger self?
- “Don’t panic and just let things happen”
Resources and People Mentioned
• Jess Ostroff’s website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook
• Sococo – online virtual office
• Chris Ducker – personal brand consultant
• Clara Labs – a virtual employee that helps you schedule meetings
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Last Time on The NextFem Podcast
- How to Build Teams that Multiply Your Power – with Beck Bamberger | Episode 46
