From VA to OBM: How It Happened — and What It Really Means
Whether you’re running a solo legal practice, a sole founder wearing all the hats, or leading a small team, it can feel like you’re juggling everything at once: client work, operations, people, and admin. There’s never enough time, and growth can feel reactive rather than structured.
You don’t need more hours in the day. You need clarity, calm, and a partner who can take the operational load off your shoulders.
That’s where I started: as a VA who quietly made things happen. I brought order to the chaos and reliability to busy days.
But over time, I realised my clients didn’t just need someone to do the work. They needed someone to think alongside them: turning ideas into structure, creating clarity where there was noise, and building systems that make the business flow.
I quickly stopped waiting for direction and started creating it. As one client said,
“Isabelle takes control of things and keeps me in check. I need somebody with initiative, autonomy and independence. Isabelle is that person.”
That subtle shift from “getting things done” to “designing how things get done” - makes a huge difference to my clients’ businesses and their peace of mind.
This is the story behind how I evolved from Virtual Assistant to Online Business Manager. Not a rebrand, but a redefinition of what calm, confident, strategic support can look like.
The Difference Between a VA and an OBM
A Virtual Assistant (VA) focuses on getting the work done. Diary management, inbox triage, travel logistics — the essential foundations that keep the business running.
An Online Business Manager (OBM) focuses on how the work gets done. It’s about aligning people, systems, and processes so the business can scale smoothly and sustainably.
Simply put:
A VA executes.
An OBM orchestrates.
With my experience as a senior EA and established VA for founders, CEOs, and legal professionals, I understand both sides. This combination of strategy and delivery is what sets us apart.
A Smarter Model for Modern Founders
The traditional VA model which is often reactive, task-based, dependent on direction doesn’t work for the clients I support.
Busy founders don’t just need work done. They need clarity, foresight, and someone who quietly takes ownership of operations.
So I changed the model.
Eliminated:
Reactive, task-only work
Blurred boundaries and the need for micro-management
Friction from scattered tools and unclear ownership
Reduced:
Founder overwhelm
Repetition and wasted effort
Time lost explaining the same tasks repeatedly
Raised:
Proactive thinking
Communication clarity and team alignment
Standards for calm, structured operations
Created:
A hybrid OBM + VA model: hands-on delivery with strategic oversight
VA Readiness Principles: a simple framework to help founders delegate effectively
A calm, reliable support system that grows with the business
The result is a simpler, more coordinated way to scale, giving you more headspace and peace of mind.
What It Looks Like in Practice
Here’s what OBM support looks like day to day:
Turning your goals into structured, actionable plans
Managing projects end-to-end so deadlines don’t drift
Acting as the bridge between you and your team - keeping communication clear and everyone aligned
Building roadmaps and systems that capture what’s in your head so the business doesn’t rely on memory
Overseeing operations so you can focus on clients, growth, and leadership
For one legal founder, that meant reviewing and reflecting on the client onboarding process. By simplifying unnecessary steps and the ID check process, we created a workflow that saved time and delivered a smoother experience for both clients and team.
Another client said,
“I trust you implicitly and value your advice on all aspects of the business.”
This is what this level of support allows: space to think and peace of mind that the details are taken care of.
Scaling Support: The Best of Both Worlds
Today, I’m building a carefully curated, small, trusted team who follow my signature blueprint - using the systems, checklists, and frameworks I’ve developed to deliver thoughtful, high-quality, systemised support.
That means:
Routine admin and repeatable tasks are handled seamlessly
I focus on systems, structure, and leadership
You get both hands-on delivery and strategic oversight, aligned under one calm, coordinated approach
Structured, scalable, and ready when you are.
Whether you’re a founder, legal professional, or CEO, my goal is the same: to protect your headspace, create calm structure, and give you the space to grow.
We start by mapping the three things currently stealing your time and designing a simpler, smarter way forward.
Book a free call and let’s find out where you need support and how we can help.
