Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Kaplan.
Danielle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 2019 so many things changed. After a number of years working as an in-house Patent and Trademark Paralegal, I had quit and decided to take a break for some recalibration and spatial awareness. For the previous five years, I had worked in law firms, first as a legal assistant and office manager. When I earned my paralegal certificate, I made my way up the ranks to oversee the entire trademark docket at a medium-size firm. It was rewarding work to help small businesses, because that was our speciality, protecting their intellectual property. That being the most significant takeaway from my time as a paralegal, helping small business owners find reasonable access to resources. To stay productive during my break, I joined a coworking space where I made connections, opening doors of opportunity, allowing me to work as a fractional assistant for a number of local small businesses, and the framework for Mood Virtual Contractors was laid.
Most people who know me would call me “eclectic” and I’d agree! My interests range from social innovation, technology, finance, the arts, and so on. And it shouldn’t be that difficult to occupy a variety of interests in just one job. From one small coworking desk in the Cedars, I decided to make a move and pursue life in a way that has made me so successful in a field that demands much versatility. My diverse background helped me visualize the different areas of operating a business and I found that they all hinged on a strong administrative foundation. What others call “loose ends,” I see as an opportunity. Tying up those administrative pieces put me on a path that led to Mood Virtual Contractors, which is now a company that focuses on building relationships, implementing good ideas, and returning results.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think every new business owner is aware of the struggles that come with starting a business, but the struggle that surprised me the most is the passion I have for my business. Bear with me for a moment. Previously in life, I wasn’t one to join after-school groups, I never participated in sports, and at my other jobs, I showed up and went home when the work was done. Now, nearly every word is about Mood Virtual Contractors. I am constantly thinking about ways to push forward, to help my clients reach their goals, and to provide work-life balance for MVC’s virtual assistants. In that passion, I put some of my other interests and hobbies aside to see to the success of Mood. But isn’t it critical to keep the vestiges of the person you are outside of work, to continue to build something that also allows you to just be YOU…and maybe eat a meal at a reasonable time or stop checking emails after a certain hour?
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Mood Virtual Contractors is all virtually based and has a variety of skillsets from nonprofit to paralegal experience, they can do it all! Think about all the hours you spend each day doing tasks that suck all of your time, leaving little to none left to do what you are truly passionate about. A Mood Virtual Assistant can tackle any task and free up your time to focus on what you love.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Not every fit is going to be the right fit and that’s okay. You’ve started a new business, you’re excited, and you’re ready to open the doors to new clients, but the most important thing I’ve learned is not every client is the same, and not every client is the right fit for what you are trying to accomplish. Being a “Yes Man” is a drain on energy and your valuable assets – your time and know-how. So, instead of always saying yes to every potential client, I had to retrain my brain to ask myself if I’m saying yes because I know we can make administrative magic or if I’m saying yes simply because I’m a new business. This lesson is also one all MVC virtual assistants are presented with in our vetting process. Mood’s engagement placement is designed to find the right fit, not only for our clients but for us, too!
Contact Info:
- Email: danielle@moodcontractors.com
- Website: www.moodcontractors.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moodvirtualcontractors/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moodvirtualcontractors/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/moodvirtualcon
