I have learned that when I act on an interesting intersection I am connecting with my divine purpose. The key is to take action. Was it a coincidence that my ideal client and I were in the same place at the same time, and complete strangers? Definitely not. Isn’t it interesting that we use the word coincidence which means two angles that fit together perfectly to describe something that happens by chance? In reality it is more like pieces of a puzzle snapping in place with a satisfying click!
AssistU’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Dawn Goldberg (and family) hosted last year’s DCMetro Chapter meeting in July. I had been a student in AssistU’s Virtual Training Program for just over three months. As a newbie I felt honored to receive this invitation. The picnic was open to the entire community, and I flew, from Florida, to be a part of this event!
I met Antonette Artiz (affectionately known as AA or Double A), and many other VA’s and their families that weekend. She and I never spoke one-on-one, we were always in small groups, ebbing and flowing within conversations. I listened to her recount her story of raising her rates. She explained straight from the heart, with warmth and humor, how she overcame her doubts to honor her standards. She did it successfully and partnered with her ideal client as a result. AA is a Certified Master Virtual Assistant, one of only six in the AU community. She spoke with such candor and openness that I felt immediately intrigued; I wanted to know this woman better.
Double A may come in a pint-sized wrapper but she packs a larger- than-life personality to ensure balance. Her warmth, the sparkle in her eyes, and her obvious ties to her nieces, three of whom had accompanied her and her husband, all attracted me. I was awed by her standards and her casual inviting style of interacting. AA loves to laugh! It bubbles out of a deep well of inner joy at connecting with people. When she said good-bye, she wished me the best on my final in August, “We’ll be thinking of you. We can’t help you, but we’ll all be thinking of you.” She punctuated her comment with a rolling belly laugh!
This initial attraction and connection led to me receiving an e-mail from AA in September. She congratulated me on my graduation and wished me success. I responded letting her know my internship started in October and how excited I felt. BTW, I wondered, “Do you ever use an intern?” She was just finishing with an intern and suggested we both apply seeking a match with the other. Voila! Synchronicity again. Antonette and I became mentor and intern in October!
I learned the detailed inner workings of Virtual Details, LLC and the unique niche Antonette has created for her practice, working with nonprofit boards of directors. I carried out a broad range of personal and business tasks from setting up utilities at her new home to brainstorming content for her website. AA was generous with her time, never rushed, and never worked from emergency. She was always gracious, appreciative, and even willing to teach me time-intensive programs. She did have to stretch herself to learn how to share some of the to do’s on her plate.
Because of acting on this interesting intersection I learned the most valuable principle of a virtual partnership or of any commitment: relationship, relationship, relationship. It’s all about relationship.
The relationship that AA and I developed resulted in Virtual Details, LLC, and Virtual Works of Wonder partnering together in February 2006! After running solo for so many years it was a huge and brave leap of faith for AA to pass the baton and invite me to support her practice. Antonette has experienced the value of allowing our partnership to bloom into big picture thinking. She has learned to use my time and talents wisely and to her best advantage.
AA’s incredible growth in the face of adversity inspired me. She grew by seizing the opportunity and lessons that come from ending a difficult client partnership with dignity, and integrity. She also reached the highest pinnacle of success – taking the steps to actualize a long-term dream and put it into action. Antonette is an ultimate model of a Virtual Assistant; she is all about relationship. I am honored to be her partner and call her friend.
My wish for Antonette is to celebrate a memorable birthday today, overflowing with happiness and bright blessings. My wish for you, dear reader, is that you have the opportunity to celebrate the bliss of an ideal client partnership, as we have, by simply acting on your own interesting intersection.
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