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

Hi Trenise, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started Virtual Services by Trenise Watson because I enjoy helping people in their businesses. I have had a skincare line for 5 years that unfortunately, I had to close due to COVID-19. I remember when I first started it and how overwhelmed I felt having to complete a long laundry list of tasks weekly while selling products and marketing my business. I saw early on the need to hire staff as soon as possible if I wanted to scale my business. I did, I hired four people to help me bring my vision to life and I remember feeling like a weight lifted off my shoulders. When I closed my business and went back into Corporate America, I knew right away that it was not for me. I have always been an entrepreneur, innovative, and creator. I was itching to get back into business. I began to research to figure out what type of business I wanted to start. I came across an article on the internet listing the benefits of starting a Virtual Assistance business. I had an “aha moment” and instantly I knew that was it! I thought to myself I have over 15 years of retail experience, 5 years as a small business owner, and management experience, this is my new business. For me, it hit home personally because I knew how it felt to be overwhelmed and have a ton of back-of-the-house tasks that needed to get done and feel like there is not enough time in the day to get it all accomplished. That is how I conceived VSBTW.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the Owner of Virtual Services by Trenise Watson, LLC. (I know, know it is a long name). I provide general administrative, social media, and creative support to small business owners that may not have the budget to hire employees. The inspiration to start my Virtual Assistance business came from my struggles of being a solopreneur in my first business. I learned early on that you cannot run a business by yourself, you need support. I understand how in the beginning stages, funds can be tight, and financially it may be tough to hire someone. That is why hiring a Virtual Assistant is critical for your business, you do not have to cover taxes and employee benefits for your VA, they are responsible for that. It saves the business owner time and money. Additionally, I love helping people, this is a true passion of mine. It brings me joy when I see that my clients have more time in their day to spend time with family or when they share with me how much they appreciate all that I do for them and their business.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I recently moved to Phoenix in February of 2022. I am still learning about the hot spots. However, I love a good brunch to start the day so places like SugarJam The Southern Kitchen, Chelsea’s Kitchen, or Over Easy are all great options. I love to hang out in downtown Phoenix and hit up the shops, restaurants, and bars. Additionally, Old Town Scottsdale is still a fun place to take family and friends to hang out and tour. Lastly, let me know forget hiking on a cool day. I might sound cliche, but I still like hiking Camelback Mountain.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As the saying goes “it takes a village to raise a child.” I think that saying holds for business as well. I learned being in business early on that I needed mentors. I have mentors for different departments of my business. I cannot take all the credit for my knowledge; I have been fortunate enough to have amazing mentors guiding me along the way. I have worked with the SBDC, SCORE.org, and other local organizations for FREE mentorship. I highly recommend finding mentors when you start a business and even while operating it. They can help you avoid making mistakes that would otherwise occur, you can learn from their knowledge, and they will hold you accountable to achieve your goals. The list can go on.

Website: https://www.virtualservicesbytrenise.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virtualservicesbytrenise/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trenise-watson/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virtualservicesbytrenise/

Image Credits
Alexys Brandon Photography – photography

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