Introducing: Candice Greenidge, Director & Customer Support Specialist of Seamless Solutions VA Services
Gale Manning-Weithers
Fixer of Broken Training | Training leaders to transform teams and build customer-focused service-driven cultures | 65000+ trained | Disney Institute Trained CX Professional & Certified Trainer | Mom of one ??
What is an Entrepreneur?
An entrepreneur is an individual who creates a new business, bearing most of the risks and enjoying most of the rewards.?The process of setting up a business?is known as entrepreneurship. The entrepreneur is commonly seen as an innovator, a source of new ideas, goods, services, and business/or procedures (source: www.investopedia.com)
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Introduction
Today we meet Candice Greenidge, who hails from the beautiful Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
Candice is a daughter, sister, mother and friend first, but she is also the proud Entrepreneur of Seamless Solutions VA Services (SSVAS), something she didn’t see coming until it hit her.
This is what she told us: "Seamless Solutions VA Services was borne out of Passion, Love and Dedication to what matters most: people! Serving others by building business relationships to last a lifetime is my passion, and yes, it may be easy to say or write these things but living it is what matters most to me."
Q. What events led you to this path and how long have you been in business?
A. I have always been known as the “Go to" person because I believe there is aways a solution to be found to any issue faced. So when Covid became rampant and many of us were forced to work from home, and me being a work-a-holic, I found myself assisting and motivating many business owners to keep pushing through.
Most of them asked me to stay on but I preferred something to call my own, so I took the 25+ years of experience gained from supporting Management Level Personnel in Administration and Customer Service, (hence the nickname “CX GURU”) and from this passion created Seamless Solutions VA Services. I’ve been up and running since then for a little over two years now.?
Q. How did you come up with the name for your business?
A. It was my partner of 15 years who came up with the genius idea! Kirk always joked about the effect I had on whoever I interacted with and the exemplary way I managed both amicable and irate customers alike i.e. the “Seamless” way I offered “Solutions”.
Q. Who has been your biggest loudest cheerleader on your journey?
A. Me! Lol! But in all seriousness, quite a few persons have been there to support me especially since I come from a very close knit family. My absolute BIGGEST cheerleader I'd have to say would be my Mom; she's the energiser bunny ???
Q. What is the one biggest challenge you have faced so far and how did you overcome it?
A. Wow! There have been quite a few but the one that caused me much anxiety was realising I didn't have many of the technological skills needed to be relevant. That was a wake-up call!
I knew that I had an awesome set of skills but felt stagnant at the same time. I decided I had to do something and do it fast!
I went head-on in utilizing a lot of free & paid courses. Research, networking and paid consultations also made me more confident to keep up the pace to ensure I would eventually achieve my goals.?
Q. Did the pandemic affect your business in anyway i.e. did you have to implement a Plan B due to Covid-19?
A. The restrictions coming out of the pandemic affected all businesses. Most of the assignments I’m currently commissioned to do, I had been doing for free while assisting friends, etc.
Covid was actually an opportunity that sped up the process of starting the business VIRTUALLY as I realised my services were needed more than ever. I also learnt that doing what you’re passionate about, especially in the service of others, is both viable and rewarding. This then is my Plan A and my destiny; there's no Plan B!
Q. What are your top 3 goals for the future?
A. Oh! That’s an easy one and here they are in this order:
Q. Name one thing that you currently do to exceed your clients’/customers’ expectations.
A. I check in on my clients regularly, whether or not we are currently engaged in assignments.
I love sending short, personalized and encouraging messages whether it’s wishing them a productive day/week or just to ensure they are in a good space.
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Q. What was the best advice you ever received and who gave it to you?
A. Here's the best advice I've ever received: "Not everyone will like you, but I know they won't hate you because your personality is one of a kind. Don't ever change that, because then you'll be someone else – Be Authentic or nothing at all!” - Kirk Quevedo
Q. How do you spend your free time?
A. Still working out the kinks on this one … it's challenging to define "free time"! I have a day job as well so most days I'm working 9 am to 5 pm and then from 7 pm until around 12 am-ish. My children are young adults, so any time they “allocate” to me is always well spent.
Apart from that, I’m working on my own brand of motivational & inspirational quotes under the themes: “Candi Cane is not just for Christmas” (personal motivation) and “SSVAS Weekend Reminders” (business inspiration for entrepreneurs and small businesses).
Q. What is something most people do not know about you?
A. Well, I guess now they’ll know when I put this out there! I get anxious if I have to go out alone and this is something that stemmed from me being bullied as a child.?
Q. What advice would you offer to anyone thinking of becoming a full-time entrepreneur?
A. If you're starting from scratch, find & utilize ALL free and useful resources that will help keep you grounded. This is the most important step towards providing the insight you'll need to keep motivated.
Also, you won't know everything and it's ok to ask for help. Actually, you’d be surprised at how many people are willing to assist in the growth of your business.
Q. You also found time to write a series of Inspirational Quotes. Can you tell us more?
A. I actually started my own line of Inspirational/Motivational quotes. “SSVAS weekend reminders” are geared towards business owners who need an extra “umph” to keep going. These quotes remind us that it’s quite natural to be overwhelmed but you can’t let that consume you.
My other line called “Candi Cane is not just for Christmas” takes a more personal approach, reminding us of our worth. After being teased for most of my teenage years due to the obvious hair loss condition known as Alopecia (and with more synonyms for “bald head” than I knew possible), it was not until I became an adult that I gave up my “comfort blanket” aka my wig, to “ah big Toco wave”.
This was very tramatizing to say the least and it was at that point that I decided to document my “positives” in order to outweigh the “negatives”. I’m now researching viable options to have them published.?
Q. What services/products do you offer your clients?
A. I took forever to niche down because I want to assist everyone with everything. I now understand the importance of doing what I do best and so I’ve settled on:
And a note: if it’s not listed here that doesn’t mean I can’t deliver!
Based on my wide network of contacts I also offer outsourcing services, where I’ll connect you with the right persons best suited for your unique needs.
In fact, I am so confident in the persons I recommend that if you’re ever unhappy with their job, I’ll refund you the referral fee.
Q. Where can potential customers go to find you?
A. There are several places potential clients can find me:
Q. Do you have an upcoming events we should be aware of right now?
A. Yes, but I can’t disclose the details just yet. Stay tuned!
We can't wait to share your entrepreneurial story of Grit, Grind & Growth!
Click to learn how you can participate:?https://tinyurl.com/bde4vwwc
Owner at Virtual Assistant
2 年Congratulations Candice you are an inspiration. I’m so proud of you ??.
Branding, Signage & Communications Specialist
2 年Great spread. Good read.? Very interesting brand story. Passion for the work and customer appreciation clear and apparent. Had just the right mix of humor and information.? Useful links and comprehensive listing of the range of service offered.? ?Good interview. You looked great as well. Live the dream and love your life. .Proud of you.
Virtual Assistant Consultant | Virtual Assistant
2 年Keep shining Candice! You are an inspiration! Looking forward to see what you have in store for 2023!!!
Remote management accounting and bookkeeping services | Tax Consultant | Owner at PB Admin Solutions | Virtual Assistant
2 年Candice Greenidge so proud of you and all you've accomplished so far!
Darius Designs | Apparel Branding, Design & Print
2 年You are setting the bar quite high even for the entrepreneurs that has started before you ??. Stay consistent on the path you are on, keep growing, keep perfecting your craft and know that your impact would be felt and your legacy created. Great interview Candice.?