Sohovian - Virtual customer care for small businesses

04/10/2025

We're proudly supporting Camp for a Cure. Be sure to get your tickets!

2 & 3 day DISCOUNTED FAMILY PASSES are available on our website!

Head to campforacure.com.au to grab yours!

12/04/2025

This will be a great weekend, raising money for "Love your sister". We've been helping Alex and Erin out with the phones for the last few months.

Just a few weeks to go now. Join us, and over 800 other people at Gootchie Creek Escape for a fantastic weekend of music and activities, whilst supporting a cause very dear to many hearts.

13/04/2023

Finding the right mentor can make all the difference in your small business journey. It's essential to consider their experience, expertise, and communication style when searching for the perfect mentor. Additionally, knowing how to approach and connect with potential mentors and defining your goals and expectations can help you make the most of their guidance.

When you have a mentor who aligns with your values and understands your business, you'll be well-equipped to tackle challenges and accelerate your growth. Don't miss the opportunity to benefit from practical advice on finding the right mentor and discover how their guidance can unlock your small business's full potential.

This week's blog explores how you can find the right mentor for your business.

https://sohovian.com/finding-the-right-mentor-for-you-and-your-business

06/04/2023

Turning down potential clients can be an emotionally challenging experience, especially when you're pressured to boost your revenue. In times of financial stress, it's all too easy to overlook the warning signs of disrespect or erratic behaviour from potential clients, as the immediate need for income might seem more important.

However, ignoring these red flags can lead to a toxic business relationship that drains your energy, harms your reputation, and ultimately undermines your long-term success. When you're desperate for more revenue, it's crucial to remember that not all clients are a good fit for your business. Taking on clients who display disrespectful or erratic behaviour can create more problems than it solves. By staying vigilant and trusting your instincts, you can make informed decisions that preserve your business's integrity and support its growth.

On the blog this week, I'm talking about Samantha's experience with a potential client. It was an experience that left a distinctly sour taste in her mouth. Read how she gracefully turned down the client and learn how you can do the same.

30/03/2023

Flexible working hours have become a popular topic of discussion, as more and more businesses recognise the benefits of providing their employees with greater control over their work schedules. While this flexibility can lead to increased job satisfaction, productivity, and work-life balance, it also comes with its own set of challenges that need to be carefully managed.

One of the primary challenges that small business owners face when adopting flexible working hours is balancing client demands with their own schedules.

Another challenge that arises with flexible working hours is the need for strict self-discipline. When you have the freedom to set your own schedule, it can be tempting to procrastinate, lose focus, or become complacent in managing your workload.

We've addressed this on our blog this week. There, you'll find the pros and cons of flexible working hours and some strategies for success.

🔗 https://sohovian.com/balancing-flexibility-and-productivity/

23/03/2023

I've always believed that the most significant advantage of running my own business is having the autonomy to make all the decisions that shape its direction and success. However, this freedom also comes with challenges, as the responsibility of making all those decisions can be pretty daunting. Being a small business owner can sometimes feel like a lonely journey, even when surrounded by employees, customers, and other stakeholders throughout the day.

This is where the concept of accountability partners becomes invaluable for small business owners. An accountability partner supports your entrepreneurial journey, providing guidance, encouragement, and feedback as you navigate the challenges of managing your business. They serve as a sounding board for your ideas, help you stay on track with your goals, and hold you accountable for your decisions and actions.

Having an accountability partner can alleviate some of the isolation and pressure that comes with making all the decisions on your own. They bring fresh perspectives, insights, and experience, offering valuable advice and support as you steer your business towards success. An accountability partner can make the decision-making process less daunting and more collaborative, empowering you to grow personally and professionally.

Our latest blog post explores the different types of accountability partners, and the value they can bring to your business.

https://sohovian.com/types-of-accountability-partners-boost-your-expertise/

20/03/2023

When you're feeling overwhelmed, it's natural to assume that the culprit is an excessive workload.

However, it's essential to consider that the real cause of your stress might be working too many hours, without giving yourself the necessary breaks to recharge mentally and physically.

Mental exhaustion can lead to various symptoms that severely impact your performance and productivity.

Symptoms such as missed deadlines, frequent mistakes, and sub-par results may seem like the consequences of having too much on your plate.

But in reality, these issues could be rooted in the mental fatigue that comes from overworking yourself. When your mind is constantly bombarded with tasks and responsibilities, it can struggle to maintain focus, creativity, and efficiency.

This week's blog is about James's experience with overwork and how he got his mojo back.

Discover the importance of downtime for maintaining mental health and achieving business success. Learn to prioritise self-care.

09/03/2023

Small business owners often struggle with providing top-notch customer care while also managing the day-to-day operations of their business. However, outsourcing your customer care can provide a solution to this problem. In this post, we'll explore the benefits of outsourcing customer care for small business owners and why it can help you take control of your customer care.

https://sohovian.com/retain-control-while-outsourcing-your-customer-care

02/03/2023

Unleash Your Business Potential: Tips for Successful Outsourcing for Control Freaks. Are you tired of micromanaging and constantly searching for the "perfect" virtual assistant? It's time to let go of control and embrace the benefits of outsourcing. In this blog post, we share tips on how to set clear expectations, communicate effectively, trust your team, and be flexible. Free up your time and take your business to the next level.

https://sohovian.com/successful-outsourcing-for-control-freaks

25/11/2021

It is with great sadness that I announce that Sohovian Toowong will close on 30th November 2021. The lease has ended and we have decided not to continue at that location. Our Cleveland location is still open for business though 🙂

We'd like to thank everyone who has supported us at Toowong over the last 14 and a half years.

The decision wasn't easy. You see, I lost my only son, Tyler, suddenly in November 2020.

The Sohovian team, our clients and our friends have rallied to keep Sohovian running whilst I recovered from that trauma. The last 12 months has been excruciatingly hard for all of us.

And that, my friends, was the reason that Toowong had to go. I will never fully recover from the loss of my child. No-one ever does. I can no longer spread myself so thin over two locations. I do not have the mental bandwidth to keep up the relentless pace. And I do not wish to continue to place other people in the position of picking up that slack for me.

Whilst the decision to close Toowong is sad for everyone, the Sohovian team are all excited about the opportunities that await us. We will be able to focus on what we do best. We have morphed from a serviced office business with a virtual receptionist sideline, to a virtual receptionist business with a serviced office sideline. Our focus will still be on providing a fantastic customer care service to our clients and our clients' customers. We really love helping small businesses to grow bigger.

Thank you all for your support of Sohovian.

~Anna

11/11/2021

Persistence is the most valuable character trait a small business owner can have. But sometimes, it fails us. We give up on an idea because it suddenly seems unreachable or we get tired.

It is possible to build and maintain your persistence muscle though. It just takes some practice. Here are some tips to build your persistence muscle for small business success.

Persistence is the muscle that gets things done. It's the ability to keep going even when it's hard. How to build your persistence muscle.