In this empowering episode of The Entrepreneurial You, host Heneka Watkis-Porter welcomes Renée Hastings, President and CEO of Executive Help Now. With over 15 years of executive support experience and a deep commitment to helping business leaders reclaim their time, Renée shares her inspiring journey from side hustle to CEO. The conversation centres on the transformative power of virtual assistants (VAs), the mindset shift needed to delegate effectively, and how time freedom is the ultimate act of self-care and business growth.

From Side Hustle to Scalable Success

Renée opens up about how her virtual assistance business began in 2014 as a part-time pursuit alongside her full-time job. Drawing from years of experience supporting C-suite executives, she shares how burnout from juggling both roles led her to hire her first VA—an experience that proved to be a game changer. Realising the value of delegation firsthand, Renée began to build a full-scale agency, empowering others to do the same. By 2022, she had transitioned to full-time entrepreneurship with a growing team supporting leaders across industries.

Delegation as a Growth Strategy

Heneka and Renée explore how many entrepreneurs hold onto tasks out of habit, fear, or a desire for control—ultimately stalling their own growth. Renée shares how investing time in onboarding and training VAs pays dividends in the long run, helping leaders focus on high-impact work. Through relatable stories and practical advice, she encourages listeners to let go, build trust, and scale with intention.

The Myths and Misconceptions of Hiring VAs

Renée tackles common misconceptions about remote support—especially the belief that in-person presence equals productivity. She explains how her team’s professional training and rigorous onboarding process ensures excellence, even at a distance. Whether clients need a few hours a week or full-time support, Renée’s agency tailors solutions to match their unique needs, skills, and personality profiles.

Raising Your Rates and Knowing Your Value

In a special mentoring moment, Heneka shares a mentee’s concern about pricing. Renée responds with insight: demonstrate your value through outcomes, collect testimonials, document case studies, and communicate rate changes confidently. She underscores the importance of knowing your worth and positioning your services accordingly—without guilt.

Time Freedom as Self-Care

For Renée, time freedom means choice. She explains how outsourcing administrative tasks allows entrepreneurs to focus on what truly matters—whether that’s business development, personal growth, or simply taking a break. Her own story—ordering groceries via Instacart so she could relax on the porch—highlights the small, everyday wins that time freedom makes possible.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Renée turned a side hustle into a successful VA agency
• Why virtual assistants are key to business scalability
• Common myths about hiring remote team members
• How to overcome the fear of letting go
• Tips for raising your rates and owning your value
• The power of panel interviews and customised team matching
• Why time freedom is a vital part of self-care and sustainable leadership
• How to determine if you’re ready for a VA and where to start

COMMUNITY CONNECTION:

Let us pause for a moment to connect with our vibrant community. Two exciting events are just around the corner. First, Leadercast Kingston returns this October, bringing together some of Jamaica’s brightest minds for a day filled with inspiration and actionable leadership strategies.

Then in November, the momentum continues with the Leadership Cruise — a four-day journey of workshops, networking, and rejuvenation aboard Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas. Fun fact: the ship features a surf simulator and even a cupcake shop at sea, offering a unique blend of learning and leisure.

Those ready to invest in their personal and professional growth are encouraged to email heneka@henekawatkisporter.com or message via WhatsApp at 876-849-2571 for more details. The team also welcomes questions and feedback about today’s episode — every message from the community is valued and appreciated.

CONTACT RENEE HASTINGS:

Website: https://executivehelpnow.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExecutiveHelpNow  
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/executivehelpnow/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/executive-help-now/

GIVE AWAY:

1866 943 3591 for freebie  

TRENDING NOW:

Here’s a stat that might surprise you: Since 2020, the demand for virtual assistance has more than doubled, with 70% of small business owners now outsourcing at least one task. The most successful leaders aren’t doing it all-they’re building support systems that let them focus on their genius zones.

If you enjoyed this episode of The Entrepreneurial You, subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave a rating, and share it with your friends. Visit henekawatkisporter.com to download a free eBook on how to conduct podcast interviews like a pro!

RELATED EPISODES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

Discover more episodes that offer valuable insights, inspiration, and practical tips to help you on your entrepreneurial journey.

• From Zero to Billions: Marquel Russell’s Blueprint for Rapid Business Growth
• Cultivating Emotional Intelligence for Personal and Professional Growth With Regina Scott Bryan

AFFIRM WITH ME:

I am worthy of support, and my time is best spent on what truly matters.

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