Today we’d like to introduce you to Ifeoma Ike.
Hi Ifeoma, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Ifeoma Ike (E-fa-muh, E-kay). I’m 26 years old and currently reside in St. Louis, MO. My story is 26 years long, but I will focus on the business portion in this article! I started my business in March 2022, and leading up to that time was quite a journey! I moved to St. Louis in July 2021 from Omaha, NE, amid the pandemic. My move was based on a lot of my faith and for purpose in life. Before moving to St. Louis, I worked for an insurance company from home and liked what I did for the most part, as I had been working in that industry for seven years. Towards the middle of 2022, I was looking to move within the company to get a better position with better pay. I had gotten a phenomenal opportunity to have an interview to become a Business Analyst and to have a tax bracket change in pay!
When it came down to doing the interview, it would be with two individuals I had previously worked with in another department. I thought I had the position in a bag! These individuals knew my work ethic, knowledge, and integrity in everything I do. The day came for the interview, and I thought I had aced it! The interviewers were even telling me I was doing a good job. Once the interview was completed, they let me know it would be a few days, and I would hear back from them. Time passed, and I found out I didn’t get the position. I asked my manager at the time to reach out and get feedback as to why I didn’t get the position, and they said I did great, and the only feedback they had was that I needed to sell myself more. Talk about disappointment and discouragement! That’s not how my journey ended, thank God! I got a different promotion and increased pay for processing cancer insurance claims. Even with my promotion, getting declined for the Business Analyst position was always a lingering thought.
In the meantime, I was helping my First Lady, Lady Madelyn Mickles, at the ministry I belong to with her business. While helping her, that experience showed me two things. One, I love serving others and seeing their vision come to pass. Two, I got a whirlwind of ideas and processes to make businesses and organizations stay organized, run properly, and flourish! As the ideas began to flow, I scrolled across an Instagram Reel talking about virtual assistants, what they do, and how much they can make; the rest was history! When I launched my Virtual Assistance business in March 2022, everything wasn’t perfect, and I didn’t know all the “things,” but I had faith and knew that now was the right time and opportunity! I had a consultation call booked on the first day of my launch, I was elated! There came a time for me to go full-time with my business and almost every person that I mentioned it to didn’t think it was a good idea. Sometimes when you’re taking risks and stepping out on faith, you won’t always get the support you’re looking for. As a matter of fact, these people were right, going full-time in my business wasn’t a good idea, it was a God idea! So in August 2022 I officially went full-time in my business! If you’re still reading this, I want you to be encouraged in your journey! I was once so disappointed and felt rejected about not getting a particular job, but I didn’t know that God had plans for me to start my own business at that time! Most importantly, I am who I am not because of a position or what I do but because of who I was created to be by God!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As I have continued along in my business journey, some things you learn with time and some things you must be disciplined in to remain effective in business. Starting anything new usually comes with challenges, known and unknown! Some obstacles have been pricing my worth, marketing, and remaining consistent. While it hasn’t been a smooth road, as I continue to learn, I know that I will be able to overcome these challenges.
We’ve been impressed with Ifeoma Ike Virtual Solutions, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business started as only a virtual assistant business, but now we offer many services under Ifeoma Ike Virtual Solutions! We offer general administrative services, social media management, accountability coaching, business formation services, and so on! With our virtual assistant services, we can do any tasks or projects that can be delegated to another person! Our accountability coaching benefits anyone who needs help completing tasks, projects, or ideas! Whether you’re writing a book, keeping up with homework, or doing a project, you need accountability to get those things done. Ifeoma Ike Virtual Solutions is here to help with that! Our newest service is our business formation service, where we prepare and file articles of organization for LLCs and EINs, which are Employer Tax Identification Numbers. What sets my business apart from others are the values and standards I hold for it, our willingness to go above and beyond for our clients, and the fact that we care about not only our clients’ businesses but them as people too!
We would love to hear about your fond memories from growing up.
I went to a catholic school from kindergarten to 8th grade, and unfortunately, my class was the last class the school would have because they were closing down. As the school year was ending, our class had a wing of the building all to ourselves, and there was a day when all we did was play – hide and seek, haha. There were multiple rooms to hide in, space to run, and uncontrollable laughter!
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Giveaway Headshot Image by Rich Media Group, Chanel Davis All Other Images by Ifeoma Ike Virtual Solutions, LLC. “In Jesus Name” Sweatshirt by Madelyn Mickles
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