My Story
Task Owl VA, is me, Laurie McAleenan. I have over 20 years of working as a service professional. I have a passion for working with solopreneurs and small businesses to make the most of their time so they can focus on where their business needs them.
My journey to becoming Task Owl VA, LLC
I have over 20 years of experience in solving problems in different settings, including large corporations, small businesses, and local non-profit groups.
Small businesses and solo professionals hire me to act as their part-time “business manager and virtual assistant,” and I get to use the skills I have spent a lifetime building in thoughtful and creative ways. No two days are alike, and I am constantly learning new ways to solve the puzzles my clients encounter.
I entered the working world as a Graphic Designer, expecting to work for the same company and in the same place for the rest of my life. To my surprise, I didn’t enjoy my first job. I commuted an hour to that first job, where I learned that not all small business owners positively handle stress.
It was during this time that I received the two best pieces of advice. Advice that served me well throughout my career and personal life. First, in times of stress, the only way to eat an elephant is “one bite at a time”. The second, when presented with an opportunity that would only require a 20-minute commute, but also take a slight, but scary, pay cut, I was told “Sometimes you have to take a step back to take a step forward.” The courage to take this leap of faith led me to eventually become a graphic designer, procedure analyst, and documentation specialist at United Space Alliance during the Space Shuttle Program.
I left my corporate job supporting spaceflight to focus on supporting my husband’s career and our family. I missed working with clients to design graphics for their projects and businesses, so I began my life as an entrepreneur in 2008 when I began freelancing. Since then, we relocated to several different states to capitalize on opportunities, that were both exciting and educational. Throughout this time, I worked with clients, earned a master’s degree in illustration, juggled family, homeschooled, and created business opportunities to keep fresh and contribute to our finances. Additionally, I’ve been an educator, Etsy shop owner, course creator, artist, and volunteer. Building a business from the ground up involves numerous tasks that I learned to manage through trial and error.
I’m currently in a new phase of life where I’m no longer juggling the responsibilities I once had. When I assessed where I was and where I wanted to spend my energy, I knew I wanted a career that utilized all my experience. I knew I could best support my clients as a Virtual Assistant. It was an easy decision to start Task Owl VA.
Why Owls?
My passion for owls goes beyond just observing them; I’ve dedicated countless hours volunteering as a wildlife rehabilitator, helping native Virginia owls heal and return to their natural habitats.
This experience has deeply influenced my work as an artist and entrepreneur, bringing a sense of compassion and reverence for nature into my work.
During my brainstorming session with my mentor, my love for owls surfaced. I took the concept and utilized the design process to develop my branding and logo that would encompass my love of owls and my virtual assistant business.
More About Me
Here are a few additional facts about me:
- Artist, mostly acrylic painting, but I also experiment with other mediums, like the pastel pencils I used to draw the blue flower pictured.
- Crafter – I love creating and making. If I can combine crafting and painting, it’s a plus. Like this laser cut owl glasses holder.
- I love observing and listening to nature. My phone is full of pictures of all different things in nature. I also love the smell of the ocean and beach combing.
- Flip-flops are my favorite. I grew up in Florida, and wearing socks with flip-flops was the worst thing anyone could do. Now that I’m in a state with seasons, I wear socks with them all the time. (shh…don’t tell anyone back home)
