We had the good fortune of connecting with Gabrielle Migoya and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gabrielle, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My first business I started, GSM Virtual Assistants came to me after I had moved from NYC to Manhattan Beach, CA and was working as an Executive Assistant for an asset management firm. The traffic and commute was a killer and I wanted to find a way to be able to work in a peaceful setting by the beach and maximize my time. When I started GSM Virtual I was the actual assistant to clients, working remotely behind the scenes to support C-suites and other Executive. As I took on more clients I was able to start hiring assistants to pair and work with the clients directly, and was able to scale that way. I really emphasized that you get more hours and productivity when you can cut out long commutes, and most of what we do as EA/PA’s can be done remotely. Since I knew exactly what these Executives needed and what makes a great assistant, I became an expert in the field and started offering recruiting for in person assistants for direct hires using a proprietary test I developed to screen candidates. My background has been in the finance industry and through my relationships, GSM Virtual became a success!

My second business I started, ForePlay Golf Apparel came out of a passion for golf! As a newer golfer in my adult life I quickly realized there were no great women’s golf clothes that fit properly or were aesthetically nice. My goal was to create a beautiful, luxurious and fun brand that makes women feel great on the course. When you are new to golf it can be very intimidating and I believe that when you feel great in your attire it helps with your confidence. I truly wanted to create an all inclusive brand for women where the fit and feel of the fabrics couldn’t be matched, and then created ForePlay Golf.

What should our readers know about your business?
GSM Virtual Assistants provides both fractional remote assistants as well as in person direct placements for C-Suites, Executives, Busy Entrepreneurs and Personal lives. What sets us apart from other VA companies is that all of our assistants who work remotely are US based with a lot of experience as an executive and personal assistant. With a background as an executive assistant myself, I am able to really zone in on what makes a great candidate and what the client needs. Sometimes the client doesn’t even know what they need and I am able to jump in, clarify and put processes in place for them. I developed a proprietary testing program to screen candidates which is graded not on right and wrong answers, but on thought process and proactivity, which has been a great tool! I have a niche and great reputation in the Finance and Start Up world. I’m the most excited about finding the perfect assistant to match the client and have much satisfaction with that. It’s like finding their very own unicorn! I started this company based on my background and what I am great at which is people mostly. I’ve alway been an avid networker and love to learn about people’s personalities and helping them. When I first started my company I was solo, acting as the assistant to different clients. I then scaled and created a team from there. I think the biggest learning curve for me was managing a team of different personalities. I’ve gotten to the point where I truly have great assistants on my team who have integrity and do a great job for our clients.

ForePlay Golf Apparel is a luxury women’s golf brand. We want women to look great and feel great in their game! ForePlay is a fun, luxurious and a very flattering inclusive brand for women! We are very proud of the line we produced for female golfers globally. I fell in love with golf when I picked up a club for the first time in my early 30’s. It was a hard sport but I was addicted! Realizing there were no cute and flattering women’s golf clothes I started my own brand. I had experience in starting a business before but never in the Fashion Wold. I’ve definitely learned a lot along the way and made some initial investments which didn’t align with my vision and then had to pivot and start over in a sense. This brand has been so much fun! It mixes my love for golf with my love for fashion. My hope is when people wear it they gain a sense of confidence on the golf course and have fun!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Manhattan Beach and just love the “South Bay Bubble”! There are so many great restaurants in town. Some of my favorites are Nicks, Fishing with Dynamite, Nandos, Itzykaya and Caffe Un Altamura. I’m also very big into working out and health and wellness. I would absolutely have a training session with my personal trainer, Paul Mitchell, followed by visiting Pause in El segundo for some cryotherapy, infrared sauna and cold plunge. Going for a bike ride on the strand is another favorite! I frequently go to Palos Verdes to golf and when you are up there you feel like you’re in a different world. I would take them to golf at Trump and then go to Terranea to Nelson’s for drinks and food. It’s on the cliff and is beautiful. They actually have a great spa and golf course (9 holes) there too! I sometimes will go on a little “staycation” there. Being an avid golfer and loving a good spa, Pebble Beach of course! And Torrey Pines. Santa Barbara is a great getaway as well. I love the Rosewood Hotel!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to give a shoutout to my mom who had first encouraged me to start my own virtual assistant company and has provided support over the years.

Website: https://www.gsmvirtual.com

Instagram: @gabriellemigoya

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielle-migoya/?msgControlName=view_message_button&msgConversationId=2-YWY1MjUxNDMtYzE4Yy00OGU2LWEzMDgtOGFlYTMyNDU0ZDdmXzAxMA%3D%3D&msgOverlay=true

Facebook: Gaby Migoya

Other: www.foreplaygolf.com
@foreplaygolf_

Image Credits
Dream Team Creative

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