Business

Garrett Atkins: From a Poor Young American to a Serial Entrepreneur

Published

5 years ago

May 12, 2020

Most young Americans are broke. Recent data shows that young people between the age of 18 to 29 years old have $1 trillion in debt. The financial struggles of the modern-day young person are what leads so many to try out entrepreneurship. Millennials are venturing into business at younger ages than previous generations.

Currently, 55.8% of billionaires are self-made. One of the reasons these self-made entrepreneurs succeed is that they identified a market need. We had a conversation with Garrett Atkins, owner, and Founder of VIE media. He shared with us his journey from being 23 and broke to CEO at age 27 years.

Garret Atkins Journey

Garrett Atkins focused on online entrepreneurship and invested in it early enough. He owns VIE media, which is a company in the online/digital marketing space. Headquartered in St.Louis, Missouri, VIE Media specializes in social media marketing, web design, and development, video production, and branding. Garrett is also the founder and one of the Stakeholders of StLouisPodcast.com. StLouisPodcast.com is the only exclusive podcast recording studio in St. Louis, Missouri.

Garrett’s journey began when he was 23 years old. He changed his mindset by realizing that he doesn’t have to be part of the statistics. He doesn’t have to be another young, broke American. “I realized that I could do anything I set my mind to so long as it does not have to do with breaking the rules of science/physics (for obvious reasons, because that is impossible),” says Garrett. Back in 2010, Garrett was working in the mortgage industry. It was around that time that he realized that building a personal brand online is going to be a big deal. That realization is what set him on the path to online entrepreneurship.

The ambitious youth started VIE Media at age 23 years. The company began with three clients in 2016 to over 100 clients within the same year. Also, VIE media expanded its revenue from $1,850 in 2016 to over $1.25MM in revenue in 2019. Garrett’s impressive leadership skills are also evident in Podcast.com. He started the second company in July 2019. At the time, StLouisPodcast.com had 0 clients. But in less than six months, the company had over 35 clients.

Lessons on Entrepreneurship

Garret is a man with a wealth of knowledge. When we talked to him, he said that you are likely to succeed when you stop giving a sh*t about what other people are saying, so long as you know what your end goal is and you know that you want that more than anything else. Garrett took on all the responsibilities of managing his businesses. Of course, like most start-ups, he had to invest vast sums of money and time in his company. Garrett admits that one of the biggest challenges he faced was finding a team that he could work within his ventures. Luckily, he was able to find partners who would work with him towards building a successful business.

Garrett’s success in online entrepreneurship has a lot to do with his character. This young entrepreneur is innovative, hardworking, passionately driven and wise. He discovered a need in the digital marketing space that his competitors were not utilizing. “My brand sticks out because I’m so deeply involved in the technology/digital space compared to my competitors. For example, out of all the CEO’s of digital marketing agencies in St. Louis, I have the largest audience on EVERY major social platform besides TikTok and YouTube. I don’t just own a social media marketing agency. I live and practice it, if you will.” he says.

Through VIE media, Garrett has managed to close deals with popular brand names such as multiple household names such as The UPS Store, Better Homes & Gardens, Metro Powered by Metro powered by T-Mobile, , and Arsenal Credit Union. Currently, this American Entrepreneur recently acquired Crowd Drivers. Crowd Drivers is a marketing agency that has been performing well in the market. On 6th May 2020, Garrett not only acquired Crowd Drivers, but also expanded his team with 10 more talented employees.

It is impressive that in just four short years, Garret has scaled the heights and become a famous public speaker, content creator, and serial entrepreneur. He was a keynote speaker at the Live2Lead event in St. Louis, Missouri, in October of 2019. Moreover, he continues to inspire and share knowledge through his social media platforms. Garrett’s goal is not to be rich and powerful. Instead, his goal is to give back to the community by assisting other businesses to achieve success through digital marketing.

You can expect to see more of Garrett in the coming months as he continues to disrupt the digital marketing space with fresh ideas.

Business

Top 5 Virtual Assistant Companies to Watch in 2025

Published

6 days 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.