written by Stacey Lindsay

An overflowing calendar, a zillion sticky notes on your desk, and the feeling that you can't catch your breath are classic symptoms that something has to give. That's the obvious. But the less obvious, and perhaps the more challenging, is actually removing the items from your plate and finding the support to do so. That's where Debbie Fanfan steps in. 

"I've seen firsthand the unique challenges women face in balancing their businesses with other responsibilities," Debbie, founder of the virtual assistant business Cleverly Simplify, tells us. "Women have incredible vision and drive but often need more support or resources to fully realize their potential." 

FanFan wants to change that narrative. She started her company to "help women scale and grow" by making delegating an accessible option for women in business. We've wrestled with that stifled feeling and have talked to countless women who feel the same. So, we asked Debbie to walk us through how lightening our loads can lead to more incredible things.

Chatting with Debbie Fanfan

You work with women entrepreneurs to help them grow their businesses. Why are you passionate about assisting women in scaling and growing?

I was led to work with women entrepreneurs, mainly women coaches, because I believe in the transformative power of their ideas and ambitions. In my early years as an executive assistant in the corporate world, I saw firsthand how much impact a woman coach had on the leadership team I was working for. She was able to take a team from struggling to be effective as leaders to taking the company to a new level of success. When it came down to deciding who I wanted to support with my virtual assistants, it was a no-brainer!

Tell me about the services you offer at your business. How do you help women protect their time and energy?

At Cleverly Simplify, I offer a range of services tailored to women entrepreneurs, including virtual assistant support and process optimization. My goal is to help women protect their time and energy by streamlining their operations and providing the support they need to focus on what truly matters in their business. My clients can reclaim valuable time and energy to invest in their growth and well-being by delegating tasks. I'm big on helping my clients realize that they don't have to do everything on their own. With my support, they have the freedom to decide where they want to focus their time and energy in business and their personal lives.

What are the most significant things that get in the way of businesswomen's growth? Do you find this is the case for women of all ages?

Honestly, there are SO many things that hold women back from soaring! These include societal pressures and expectations, lack of access to resources, and self-doubt—and these are just a few. The biggest obstacles to businesswomen's growth that I've seen most often stem from a combination of these factors, which can lead to other challenges such as imposter syndrome, limited access to funding, and difficulty balancing work and family responsibilities. 

Unfortunately, I've seen women of all ages deal with these obstacles—even in midlife and after. No matter our age, women constantly deal with all of these things. The intensity of it may change with age, but it's always there, which is why delegating and support are critical.

Let's say a woman wants to take the leap, reorient her time, and hire someone like you to help, but she's hesitant or scared. What would you say to her?

I would tell her you can't afford to continue holding off because of your fear. Don't let your fears determine the success of your business. Running a business requires making BIG decisions. It's natural to feel scared about change, especially when it involves trusting someone else with aspects of your business. But taking that step can also be so liberating and empowering. By delegating tasks outside your zone of genius, you free up mental space and time to focus on what you do best and what brings you the most joy in your business. It's about shifting from a mindset of "doing it all" to "doing what matters most."

What is one thing a businesswoman can do for herself today that would help her grow? 

Prioritize self-care and personal development. I'm big on this saying: 'You can't pour from an empty cup." Whether it's outsourcing parts of your business that you don't enjoy doing, setting aside time for reflection and goal-setting, or investing in professional development opportunities that align with her goals. 

It's never too late to invest in yourself and your growth. Growth is a lifelong journey, and every step you take, no matter how small, brings you closer to your goals and aspirations. Do the thing!

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To learn more about Debbie and her services, visit cleverlysimplify.com.

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