Women-Owned Business: Nicole from L. Leon Virtual Assistance

Welcome back to our Women-Owned Business Series! We’re excited to feature Nicole from L. Leon Virtual Assistance, a boutique virtual support business offering emotionally intelligent administrative and executive support. Driven by a passion for helping others build meaningful work, she partners with founders and executives to create trusted relationships that help them stay organized, reclaim their time, and focus on what matters most. Read more about her journey below!

First, tell us about your business and anything special we should know about it or you.

I’m the founder of L. Leon Virtual Assistance, a boutique virtual support business that provides emotionally intelligent administrative and executive support for founders, executives, and growing teams. Through my business, I partner with leaders who are scaling their companies and need a trusted right hand to help manage the day-to-day responsibilities that come with growth.

I started LLVA after working in environments where emotional intelligence and relational leadership were often dismissed as weaknesses. I was told more than once that I was “too emotional” or “too relational” to succeed in traditional business settings. Over time, I realized those very traits were actually strengths when it came to supporting leaders and building strong working relationships.

That realization pushed me to build something of my own. Today, LLVA helps founders stay organized, supported, and focused on their bigger vision while I help manage the operational details behind the scenes.

Why do you feel a connection to your work?

I feel deeply connected to my work because it allows me to support people who are building something meaningful. Many of the founders and executives I work with are juggling an enormous amount of responsibility, and being able to step in and help lighten that load is incredibly fulfilling.

I also believe that business is ultimately about people. The relationships I build with my clients are based on trust, communication, and mutual respect. Over time, many of those working relationships turn into long-term partnerships.

Knowing that my work helps someone run their business more smoothly and reclaim their time is something that keeps me motivated every day.

As a business owner, community is everything. In what ways do you serve your community and how has your community served you?

Community has played a huge role in the growth of my business. One of the things I’m most proud of is that my company has grown almost entirely through referrals and word of mouth. That kind of growth only happens when people genuinely trust your work.

I serve my community by connecting people, sharing opportunities, and supporting other founders whenever I can. Whether that’s making introductions, offering resources, or encouraging women who are thinking about starting businesses, I believe strongly in creating environments where women support and uplift one another. Giving back is also a core part of my business values. A portion of my proceeds supports organizations that help women and children who have experienced abuse, as well as initiatives that fight food insecurity among children.

At the same time, my community has supported me in incredible ways. Many of my clients, collaborators, and peers have become long-term supporters of my work, and their trust and referrals have helped my business grow in ways I never expected.

What advice would you give to others who want to start a small business?

My biggest advice is to start scrappy and refine later.

Many women feel like they need everything perfectly built before they begin, the website, the branding, the strategy, the systems. Those things matter eventually, but they are not required to start.

What matters most in the early stages is showing up, doing great work, and building relationships. Systems and structure can be refined as you grow. The most important step is simply starting and staying committed to the process.

What women inspire you and why?

I’m inspired by women who choose courage over comfort and build lives that reflect their values. I admire women who are willing to speak their truth, create opportunities for themselves, and support others along the way.

I’m also deeply inspired by women who balance many roles at once, especially mothers who are building businesses while raising families. That level of resilience and determination is something I see every day in the communities I’m part of.

More than anything, I’m inspired by women who continue to move forward even when the path isn’t perfectly clear.

What do you think are the most significant challenges for small business owners or women in leadership positions?

One of the biggest challenges women face in business is being expected to constantly prove their credibility. Many women in leadership positions are navigating environments where their ideas or authority are questioned in ways that their male counterparts may not experience.

Another challenge is the pressure to balance multiple roles at once. Many women are not only running businesses but also managing family responsibilities, caregiving, and other personal commitments.

Rather than a specific promotion, the best way to stay connected with my work is through my newsletter. It’s where I share updates about my business, insights from my experience as a founder, and reflections on entrepreneurship, leadership, and building sustainable businesses.

It’s also where I occasionally share milestones, behind-the-scenes updates, and resources that may be helpful for other founders and professionals. If you’d like to follow along and learn more about my work, you can sign up through my website.

Newsletter sign-up: https://nicoleleon.myflodesk.com/lleonva