Business

Daniel Stafford and Robby Switzer: Meet the Entrepreneurs Who Help Small Ecommerce Businesses Make Big Money

Published

3 years ago

October 26, 2021

Daniel Stafford and Robby Switzer aren’t your typical e-commerce entrepreneurs. Before 2015, they were fishermen who worked off the coast of their Alaskan home. Since fishing is a seasonal enterprise, both men spent the off-seasons working construction to make ends meet. But life was about to change for the two men, who met on a fishing vessel in 2010.

In 2014, Stafford was the proud new owner of a $300,000 fishing vessel, bought with the dream of entrepreneurship.

“This active, adventurous lifestyle suited us for a long time because we were able to thrive by outworking the competition, which, looking back, was a sign of things to come,” Stafford said. “We’d sometimes skip sleep so we could squeeze in a few more hours of work – even up to 20 hours a day.”

Unfortunately, about three months later, his boat capsized. With the boat being underinsured and losing upwards of $100 thousand dollars, Stafford needed a new plan, and combined forces with Switzer.

Together, two men spent time evaluating their work lives and came up with the same answer: They were unwilling to leave their families for months at a time to continue to pursue a fishing enterprise. With their decisions made, the men decided to work together to create what would eventually become Shopanova.

Building a Successful Enterprise

It took a few missteps for Stafford and Switzer to find their footing as entrepreneurs. They started their business venture by making marketing videos and marketing assets for clients. Still, cold-calling only got them so far, and they were working too hard to be barely breaking even.

Joined by Patrick Schilling, a former member of Stafford’s crew, the men regrouped to form Shopanova. Their new venture was built on the discoveries they made about the power of Facebook advertising. Once they learned the platform’s nuances, they were ready to help others harness the power of advertising for their e-commerce businesses.

“Now, we’ve created our own processes and effective sales funnels to fully leverage the power of advertising online for our clients,” Switzer said. “We are helping everyone make more money than ever, including our growing Shopanova family.”

Prioritizing the Client

Stafford and Switzer built Shopanova around the idea that the client’s vision is of the utmost importance.

“We are always going to prioritize the client’s unique niche and their needs, above all else,” Switzer said, “The customizable plan we put together is specifically tailored to all of these things. That’s what sets us apart.”

With those values, Shopanova has helped over 100 e-commerce stores scale their businesses to new heights of success. How? The duo’s Brand Velocity Framework leverages all of the latest social media platforms, email and SMS marketing, and micro-influencers to help curate a fully customized plan to scale their client’s businesses and increase their ROI on their marketing initiatives. They also offer creative services such as video production and product photography to further enhance their client’s online presence.

The team at Shopanova focuses on a select list of vetted clients. In fact, they vet every client with a three-stage process, making sure they are ready to undertake Shopanova’s 100 percent turnkey operation. Although they receive over 500 applications a month, they only accept 3-5 percent as clients.

“We are pretty selective about our client base because we want to make sure every single client gets the revenue they deserve,” added Switzer.

When a client signs up for Shopanova’s services, Stafford and Switzer’s team goes through an in-depth audit of their online presence and eCommerce systems. Once their evaluation is complete, they can recommend a plan for business growth that is based on the client’s specific needs within their niche areas.

In the end, Stafford and Switzer care about the success of their clients, as much as the realization of their own dreams.

“Every time we hear an amazing success story from a client, we’re thrilled,” Switzer said. “We’ve seen our clients expand by leaps and bounds, and we’re thrilled by those results. That makes all of this worth it.”

“We want to be the kind of brand that creates an impact,” Stafford added. “We don’t want to be recognized just to be recognized. We want to be recognized because of the kind of value we create.”

About Shopanova

Shopanova is a modern growth media buying agency for eCommerce shops. They have been able to grow their clients’ monthly revenues from 5-figures all the way to 7-figures and beyond. Shopanova has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, Bloomberg Business, NBC and more. For more information on how to build a generational online brand and scale your business to millions, please visit https://shopanova.com.

Business

Top 5 Virtual Assistant Companies to Watch in 2025

Published

2 weeks ago

January 23, 2025

Matthew Wiles

Running a successful business in today’s fast-paced world requires a sharp focus on growth, strategy, and efficiency. However, managing the day-to-day operations can often become overwhelming. That’s where virtual assistant (VA) companies come into play. These companies specialize in providing skilled professionals who can handle everything from administrative tasks to customer service, marketing, and beyond, allowing entrepreneurs and small business owners to focus on what they do best.

With so many VA companies on the market, choosing the right one can be a challenge. To help you navigate the options, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 virtual assistant companies to watch in 2025. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a startup founder, or a busy professional, these companies offer top-tier solutions to meet your needs.

1. Assist World – The Gold Standard in Virtual Assistance

At the top of our list is Assist World, a U.S.-based company renowned for its personalized approach to matching clients with virtual assistants. Assist World goes beyond the typical “one-size-fits-all” model by taking the time to understand your unique needs and connecting you with highly skilled VAs who align perfectly with your business goals.

What Makes Assist World Stand Out?

Personalized Matching: Assist World matches clients with virtual assistants based on their specific requirements, ensuring the right fit every time.
Comprehensive Onboarding Process: The company’s seamless onboarding process streamlines communication and ensures VAs hit the ground running.
Client Success Management: Dedicated client success managers oversee the relationship, providing ongoing support and ensuring smooth operations.
Flexibility and Scalability: Assist World caters to businesses of all sizes, offering flexible plans that can scale as your business grows.

Who Is It Best For?

Assist World is ideal for entrepreneurs and small-to-medium businesses seeking a reliable, high-quality VA service that delivers consistent results.

Pricing:

Pricing is customized based on your needs, making it accessible for a wide range of budgets. Schedule a free consultation to learn more.

2. Time Etc – Affordable and Efficient

If affordability is your priority, Time Etc is a strong contender. This VA company specializes in administrative tasks and offers services at competitive rates. With a team of experienced professionals, Time Etc focuses on helping clients boost productivity without breaking the bank.

Key Features:

Dedicated VAs with extensive experience.
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
Focused primarily on administrative and organizational tasks.

Who Is It Best For?

Time Etc is a great choice for solopreneurs and small businesses looking for cost-effective virtual assistance for basic tasks.

Pricing:

Plans start at $29 per hour, with discounts available for bulk hours.

3. Belay – A Leader in Remote Executive Assistance

For those in need of executive-level support, Belay is a premier option. This company specializes in matching clients with highly skilled remote assistants who can handle complex tasks such as calendar management, bookkeeping, and project coordination.

Key Features:

Focus on executive and specialized assistance.
Rigorous vetting process for VAs.
Excellent client support.

Who Is It Best For?

Belay is ideal for CEOs, executives, and high-level professionals who require top-tier assistance.

Pricing:

Premium services come at a higher price point, starting around $2,000 per month for part-time support (45 hours a month). For 85 hours a month, pricing sits around $3,800.

4. MyOutDesk – Virtual Assistants for Real Estate

Real estate professionals, take note: MyOutDesk is the go-to VA service for your industry. Specializing in real estate operations, MyOutDesk provides skilled VAs who can handle lead generation, transaction coordination, and CRM management.

Key Features:

Expertise in real estate processes.
Comprehensive training programs for VAs.
Proven track record with top real estate agents.

Who Is It Best For?

Realtors, brokers, and real estate teams looking to streamline their operations and focus on closing deals.

Pricing:

Pricing starts at $1,750 per month for full-time assistants.

5. Boldly – Premium Virtual Assistant Services

If you’re looking for high-quality, premium VA services, Boldly is worth considering. This company offers subscription-based plans that provide access to experienced VAs skilled in a variety of disciplines, including marketing, customer service, and project management.

Key Features:

Highly experienced professionals.
Flexible subscription plans.
Focus on long-term client relationships.

Who Is It Best For?

Businesses and individuals willing to invest in premium services for comprehensive support.

Pricing:

Plans start at $39 per hour, with monthly subscriptions available.

How to Choose the Right Virtual Assistant Company

When selecting a VA company, consider the following factors:

Your Business Needs: Identify the tasks you want to delegate and choose a company that specializes in those areas.
Budget: Assess how much you’re willing to invest in virtual assistance and find a provider that aligns with your budget.
Flexibility: Look for companies that offer scalable plans to grow with your business.
Support: Choose a company with excellent client support to ensure smooth communication and problem resolution.

Why Assist World Is the #1 Choice

While all the companies on this list offer excellent services, Assist World stands out for its personalized approach, exceptional client success management, and flexible solutions, and most importantly, their fair pricing. At Assist World, prices generally fall between $1,500 – $2,000 a month for a full-time dedicated executive assistant. With a proven track record of helping businesses thrive, Assist World is the ultimate partner for entrepreneurs and small businesses ready to scale efficiently and effectively.

Ready to take your business to the next level? Schedule a free consultation with Assist World today and discover the difference a high-quality virtual assistant can make.