Milena Štih is proof that with courage, patience, and a willingness to learn, it’s possible to build a business that not only brings freedom but also fulfillment. After closing her own shop and realizing that a traditional 9-to-5 job wasn’t for her, Milena stepped into the world of virtual assistance and discovered a way to combine her professional expertise with her love for family, animals, and gardening.

Today, she successfully runs her own online business, helps clients build and manage their operations, and balances her days between the digital and the real world.

“When you realize that plants and animals both require time and care, you understand that business also needs patience and effort to grow and thrive,” Milena shares, highlighting the importance of consistency in every aspect of life and work.

First Steps in Virtual Assistance

Milena’s first project involved helping a client launch a small business—from gathering documentation and handling registration to setting up the operational foundation.

“It was challenging, but incredibly exciting. The feeling of knowing your work is helping someone start their own business is priceless,” she recalls.

Although she didn’t have a formal mentor at the beginning, through the GoThrive course and hands-on experience, she developed the skills and confidence needed to independently manage clients.

“Every successfully completed task and every satisfied client helped build my confidence. Over time, I learned to trust myself and my experience.”

Professionalism in Every Task

Today, Milena works with clients on all levels—from handling administrative tasks to building complete business systems.

She is especially proud of her work on the Rancho project, where she helped a client launch a food truck, including market research, documentation, and setting up the operational side of the business.

“For me, every project is an opportunity to help clients build something from the ground up. Seeing their growth and success motivates me to continuously improve my knowledge and skills.”

Tools and Knowledge

To provide high-quality support, Milena uses a range of tools:

• Trello and Asana for task management
• Google Calendar for planning
• Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and email for communication
• Google Drive for document sharing
• E-invoicing tools for bookkeeping
• monday.com for building systems and automations

“These tools give me clarity, structure, and efficiency—even when managing multiple clients and projects at the same time.”

She continuously invests in her development by following educators on LinkedIn, reading newsletters, attending webinars, participating in GoThrive consultations, and actively exchanging knowledge with other VA and OBM professionals.

Advice for Beginners

Milena encourages anyone considering virtual assistance to start small:

“You don’t have to quit your job immediately. Take on one or two projects alongside your current work, build experience and confidence. Connect with people who are already doing it. Once you see it’s possible, go all in. The most important thing is to take the first step.”

Balance and Motivation

For Milena, virtual assistance means freedom, flexibility, and a healthier work-life balance.

“I’ve set clear boundaries, learned to say ‘no,’ and use tools and delegation to reduce repetitive tasks. That way, I have energy both for work and for the things I love outside of it.”

What motivates her the most is seeing her clients grow and knowing her work contributes to their success.

“Freedom, flexibility, and continuous learning keep me in this field long-term. The support of the community and the ability to inspire others make it even more meaningful.”

Milena Štih is an Online Business Manager (OBM) and bookkeeper specializing in sole proprietors and online coaches. She connects systems and finances to create clear, efficient, and automated business operations.

📩 Contact: stihmilena@gmail.com