How I Got Here: Founder of Alinea Virtual Assist, Alanna Davis
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Admit it, we’ve all been there – stalking social media and LinkedIn profiles, trying desperately to figure out how the hell someone got their dream job.
It seems impossible and yet there they are, living out your career fantasy (minus the itchy business suit). It might seem hard to believe, but once upon a time, they were also fantasising about their future career, and with some hard work, they made it.
Welcome to How I Got Here, HerCanberra’s series that reveals everything you want to know about the secrets of career success.
This week, we sit down with Alanna Davis, the founder of Alinea Virtual Assist, a new, modern virtual executive assistant service designed for business owners and professionals. Designed to lighten the load, create order out of chaos, and empower clients to work smarter, not harder, here’s how she got here.
Existential crisis time: Who are you and what do you do?
I’m calm in crisis and the one who works towards fixing the problem. Having worked in family law, family violence and practice management my whole life, I have a really unique skill-set. There is certainly no shortage of crises in these areas.
Late last year, a very wise woman suggested I start my own Virtual Assistant business. I dipped my toe in, and it turns out there’s a strong appetite for this work.
In the past few weeks, I’ve left my job and am now working full-time in my business, Alinea Virtual Assist. I have clients here in Canberra and others around Australia.
I do everything from wrangling inboxes and calendars to managing social media platforms, drafting policies and procedures, and developing precedents. I help create systems and spreadsheets. I help my clients move forward, clearly, calmly and with the right support.
Let’s go back to when you were a kid, have you always dreamed of working in this industry?
Nope. I wanted to be an architect. I loved playing The Sims, building LEGO and drawing house designs on my dad’s graph paper. I even did work experience with an architecture firm, but never took it any further.
After Year 12, I applied for every reception job I could find in the paper (no such thing as SEEK then!) and managed to secure a role as a receptionist in a small family law firm. That’s how it all started. After 25 years, I’ve now worked consistently in family law, family violence and practice management.
Tell us about when you were first starting out, what set a firein your belly to get here and how did you do it?
I started out at 18, straight out of school, so I was still young and impressionable. I worked with some great people and truly admired them, as individuals and as colleagues. I still remember all their names, exactly where they sat in the office and the roles they played in our small team.
I wanted to be part of the adrenaline rush that came with preparing a family law matter for trial. I wanted those meaningful relationships with clients. I just wanted to be part of it all.
My direct manager was an incredibly kind and knowledgeable woman. And she always looked stunning and carried herself with such grace 100 per cent of the time. I was in awe of her and wanted to be like her.
Recall a time when you wanted to chuck it all in; what did you tell yourself when it got too hard?
Ahhh, there are a number of these times. I told myself, “Never give up.”
Throughout my entire life, my dad has always encouraged me to repeat those three little words. There have been times when I’ve felt completely depleted and exhausted, not just in the workplace, and truly felt like giving up.
But he has always been there with advice and guidance, reminding me to say those three words.
What was your biggest break?
I left law (stay with me here…). I thought I’d had enough and was likely experiencing burnout. After that, I had no idea what to do, but with a mortgage to pay, staying home wasn’t an option.
I secured a role as Office Manager at the Domestic Violence Crisis Service. Over time, my role evolved, and my title changed to Community Development and Engagement Manager.
Working in the community sector was an incredible experience for many reasons. The people I worked with were fantastic. Their commitment to community and pride in their work was next level. I learned so much from my colleagues.
Our CEO was Mirjana Wilson, and I learned countless lessons from her. She is an exceptional leader, and if you ever have the opportunity to work with her, take it. Mirjana has deeply impacted my life, and I’m so grateful for that experience.
My network grew dramatically during my time at DVCS, as did my skillset. I found myself organising fundraising events, engaging with private businesses, developing media plans, updating websites and managing social media. I completed my Diploma in Marketing and Communication and undertook a range of fundraising-specific training while I was there.
Having had the opportunity to work with such an incredible group of people, mostly women, I developed a broad skillset and built a strong network. It’s those skills and connections that I hope will continue to support me as I grow my new business.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
I have two. I have been blessed with incredibly talented and strong female leaders. Two being Justice Dianne Simpson of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and Juliette Ford, ACT Victims of Crime Commissioner.
Justice Simpson taught me the phrase “This too shall pass”. I’ve experienced multiple traumas and setbacks, and she has always encouraged me to remember this, usually when I was escalated about something. I’ve considered having it tattooed on my right-hand thumb/palm so I see it each time I am typing or writing.
Juliette taught me to “put it in the drawer”. Rather than shooting off a response immediately, draft it and put it in the drawer. It was a phrase created before emails, but nonetheless, important.
Have I always remembered these phrases? No.
Should I always remember them? Yes.
What is it about your industry that you love and what makes you want to pull your hair out?
I’m a very organised person. What I love most as a Virtual Assistant is helping others become organised, and I don’t just mean your Tupperware drawer*. I’m talking about your Outlook being structured, your calendar functioning properly, and your task list being achievable.
It’s about helping people develop solid habits, so they don’t miss deadlines, ensuring everyone receives a response within 24 hours and remembering to pay the rego.
I wouldn’t say there’s anything that makes me want to pull my hair out.
*Disclosure: my Tupperware drawer isn’t organised.
Tell us how you ‘stay in the know’, what media do you consume?
Lots! My three key local outlets are HerCanberra, Region Media and The Canberra Times. Having worked in the community sector, I think it’s incredibly important to stay across what’s happening around us. Local issues matter to me. I encourage everyone to keep up with their local media, too.
I also subscribe to a range of industry-specific newsletters and follow them on social media, particularly LinkedIn. I’m part of several industry groups on LinkedIn and Facebook, which I read regularly and often contribute to with suggestions and discussion.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I honestly hope to just still be plodding along, being there for my family, spending time with my puppies. Maybe having achieved a bit more travel? I’m not really a long-term goal setter.
Why should people follow in your footsteps?
I recently read an article about the decline in career executive assistants, and I’ve noticed it too, particularly in the legal sector.
Twenty years ago, it was perfectly normal to build a career in administration without going to university or taking up a trade. And guess what? It’s still okay to do that now.
There’s so much pressure on young people to attend university or start a trade immediately after school. There is absolutely nothing wrong with building a career as a professional administrator, which is how I now describe myself.
My skillset is broad and varied. I meet incredible people. And while I’ve mostly worked within the legal sector, being an executive assistant means you can move across industries with relative ease.
What advice would you give your past self?
I’ve thought carefully about how to answer this. There are many directions I could take. So, I’ll settle on this:
Believe in yourself. You are a strong and capable woman. You will do amazing things, just give yourself time. Stop rushing.
And don’t forget to show yourself compassion. Allow yourself time to heal.
Feature image credit: Andrew Ly.
