Meet Melanie Knapp owner and CEO of MAK Virtual Assistant Solutions. MAK Virtual Assistant Solutions provides administrative support (email, calendar management, filing, report writing, payroll, social media, etc.) to entrepreneurs and small business owners, all virtually. The Virtual Assistant company has also recently started selling journals and planners!
For over 11 years, Melanie Knapp dedicated her career to keeping management, Council and staff organized, prioritized and less stressed. One of her favourite portions of the job was taking care of all the by-laws, agreements, contracts and severances for the City. She is used to dealing with sensitive, confidential matters and time-critical tasks.
Melanie Knapp is currently following her dreams and working collaboratively with entrepreneurs and small business owners to help them harness the full potential of experienced executive support. She finds enjoyment in helping people and organizations become successful.
Melanie Knapp has a Bachelor of Business Administration, a Degree in Municipal Administration, completed multiple courses including a Real Estate Legal course through Fleming College, Podcasting, Digital Marketing and Accessibility Standards, and enjoys continual learning. Mel has two daughters that are her biggest supporters and her most important motivators.
Women On Topp spoke with Melanie Knapp about her experiences as an incredibly motivated, business-minded woman.
MAK Virtual Solutions’ Melanie Knapp Shares Her Success Story
What inspired you to start working for yourself?
The pandemic forced me to end my municipal career and find something to do from home so I could take care of my children. I had been thinking about a career change for a while and this gave me the push I needed to start my own business.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced since working for yourself?
The biggest challenge that I have faced is work/home balance. This is something I constantly promote to my clients however I do not always have the ability to do it, especially as a single mom!
Did you plan your career and your business path?
I actually thought that my career would be in the municipal world forever however God had other plans and I’m so grateful for the new path that I am on!
Who have been your own biggest mentors and what is the best advice they have ever given you?
My late grandparents are my biggest mentors. They taught me to work hard, never give up, and that everything happens for a reason.
What is a skill you think all women should learn and why?
I think that women should learn to take care of their own money. Set up a separate bank account, start investing, and find financial freedom independently.
If you had an extra 6 hours in your day, what would you do?
I would finally use the spa day gift card that one of my clients gave me!
What are you working on currently and why?
My business is in a real season of growth. We are in the process of designing a new website, hiring more subcontractors to help all of our clients, and we are going to be releasing some products including planners, notebooks, and journals for entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Personally, I am looking into expanding to an Online Business Manager capacity and taking more leadership courses to manage my growing team!
What are you most proud of as the founder of MAK Virtual Solutions?
As the founder of MAK, I am very proud of having an all-women team and growing so quickly in the two years that I have been in business. I am also very proud of the growth of my clients’ businesses and the personal growth of my team members.
What are the plans for the next 5 years? What has contributed to your success?
Plans for the next five years include expanding my knowledge with new courses, expanding our product line, hiring on more subcontractors and obtaining more clients!
I am so grateful to so many people for MAK’s success. I have a very supportive family, amazing team members, very understanding and supportive friends, and wonderful clients.
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