Meet Beth Romer
Meet Beth Romer, the proud Owner and Founder of L&L Collective.
Meet Amber Gray, the proud Owner and Founder of Trusty Oak
Hi Amber, thanks for taking the time to share some insights with us. Can you tell our audience a bit about you and your work?
I'm a business nerd and love working hard and learning through challenges. In 2015, I started a US-based virtual assistant company to support high-achieving individuals who take pride in their work but also want to prioritize a healthy, fulfilling life.
Many of our virtual assistants have chosen the freelance, remote lifestyle because of past experiences with bad bosses, unhealthy work/life balance, or being underutilized for their many talents. On the other side of the table, many small business founders left their jobs (myself included!) for some of the same reasons.
My company, Trusty Oak, supports freelance virtual assistants by connecting them with fractional, flexible work opportunities with vetted clients committed to a collaborative partnership with their VA. On the other hand, we support small business leaders by empowering self-care through effective delegation to qualified, pre-vetted freelancers. It's a win for all involved!
What’s something you recommend we read?
The Speed of Trust, by Stephen M. R. Covey, is my favorite book. I have read this book multiple times and reference it often because it has so much to apply to all relationships, including personal ones. The book explains that progress happens faster in high-trust relationships, and Covey shares 13 behaviors that increase trust in relationships.
I love The Speed of Trust because so many people think trust is either there or not, but the book breaks down the truth that we can learn ways to build trust in new relationships and rebuild trust when someone has broken our trust, too.
Increasing trust in our working relationships helps us achieve even more and faster, and it is key to scaling a business successfully. Trust is so important for effective delegation. Fun fact – this book also inspired the name of my company: Trusty Oak!
What’s something you recommend we try, and why?
Experiment with a life without alcohol for three months or more, and evaluate your relationship with alcohol.
Many folks commit to "Dry January" and find a lot of benefits, but I experimented with a three-month alcohol-free (AF) commitment just to see how it would feel. For me, that length of time gave me *exponentially* more benefits than just doing it for one month. Benefits keep coming as our brains continually adapt to this incredible habit change.
I know AF life is not necessary for everyone, but I believe that anyone willing to try it for at least three months will absolutely learn more about how alcohol affects their minds and bodies. This knowledge is empowering!
I committed to three months initially, and now I am more than seven months AF. I am in my forties and in better shape than I was in my twenties, my anxiety levels are completely manageable for the first time in years, and I have more time to follow through with the many ambitious goals I have set for myself. I learned that I can still be fun and have fun – even if I'm sober. I don't know if I'll do it forever or not, but as I continue with this commitment indefinitely, I love myself more and live with far fewer regrets.
Tell us about something new you’ve learned lately that really stuck with you.
I recently learned about the incredible benefits of breathwork, a technique that involves intentionally focusing on and changing your breathing pattern. Breathwork has helped me regulate my nervous system and manage my stress more effectively. It can be a little strange to do, but it has dramatically improved my energy and ability to focus since I started regular practice about three months ago. Breathwork has also helped me release muscle tension, and it can be a meditative practice as well. I'm glad I tried it and continue to enjoy adding this to my weekly routines!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://trustyoak.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trustyoak
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trustyoak
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberlgray/