For the established VA · For the new VA

From Corporate Finance to Small Business Consultant

Deb Mitzel shares her personal journey to become a small business consultant and why she not only joined but also thrived in the UDMA School.

In this article
  1. UDMA School Review From a Grad Who’s Actually Doing the Work
  2. My Journey to UDMA School
  3. Desire to Empower Clients
  4. What Led Me to Emily’s Course
  5. Personal Connections and Growth
  6. A Choice Beyond the Ordinary
  7. First Class Training and Support
  8. The Personal Touch: Emily’s Involvement
  9. My Heartfelt Recommendation
  10. The Takeaway
  11. Yes, you really can work online.

UDMA School Review From a Grad Who’s Actually Doing the Work

I’m excited to introduce Deb Mitzel, a graduate of my Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School. She’s not just an entrepreneur; she’s a seasoned professional who went from a 30-year career in corporate finance and operations to a small business coach and consultant. She has quite the resume with past jobs as an aerobics instructor, automotive industry consultant, and portrait photographer. Deb is an example of how your skills and experience from any work background can translate into the online business world.

In her blog, Deb shares her personal journey and the reasons why she not only joined but also thrived in my UDMA School. She talks about the connections she formed, the growth she experienced, and how it all tied into her mission of helping small business owners combine their creative talents with business success.

If you’re considering enhancing your skills, starting a freelance business, or bringing more value to your clients, keep reading– Deb’s insights are GOLD. It’s a story of empowerment and embracing what it means to be a Unicorn Digital Marketer.

My Journey to UDMA School

Hi there! I’m Deb Mitzel, an entrepreneur who took the leap from a 30-year career in the world of corporate finance and operations to pursue my passion for small business coaching and consulting. The road I’ve traveled to get to this point has included a few twists and turns. But it’s led me to a place of fulfillment and purpose that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

My journey began long before I consciously realized I had a desire to run my own business. In my earlier days, I dabbled in teaching aerobics classes, explored the world of direct marketing, and even did a little consulting in the automotive industry.

As the years went by, I nurtured a successful portrait photography business alongside my corporate career. It was during this time that my passion for helping others bridge the gap between their creative talents and business success really caught fire.

Desire to Empower Clients

I realized that what truly inspired me was the opportunity to use my unique skill set and experience to empower other small business owners to lead more fulfilling personal and professional lives. Throughout my photography career, I’ve seen so many uber-talented creatives struggling to bridge the gap between their creative genius and the demands of running a successful business. I promised myself that when the time was right I would do what I could to help them bridge that gap.

“This passion for helping others led me straight into the world of small business coaching and consulting, and joining UDMA School provided me with the opportunity to equip myself with the additional tools I needed to fulfill that promise.”

What Led Me to Emily’s Course

It’s really a testament to the power of marketing because it all started with a single Facebook ad I saw while on vacation in Arizona. I remember being drawn to it for some reason. Before I knew it, I was diving into the deep end of UDMA School. It was an impulsive decision fueled by the desire to upskill and better serve my clients.

I recognized the potential of upgrading my technical skills to better assist my clients and expand my consulting business into the realm of digital marketing. It was an opportunity that promised a win-win scenario, and Emily just felt like the real deal.

Spoiler alert – I wasn’t wrong…she IS the real deal!

▶Related YouTube Video: Sneak Peek inside Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School – Here’s what skills you’ll learn

Play video: Virtual Assistants: Learn Marketing Skills in The Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School
Video Virtual Assistants: Learn Marketing Skills in The Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School

You can subscribe here to Emily’s YouTube channel for Online Marketing Techie Skills & Strategies for Digital Marketers

Personal Connections and Growth

First off, let me tell you that Emily does an amazing job of getting you involved. You’re going to get to know the other people in your cohort. And you’re going to be pulled out of your comfort zone and learn A LOT!

After spending 30 years in the business world, I consider myself pretty comfortable in that type of environment. But the live calls stretched me in the best possible way. I would highly recommend opening yourself up to it when you join. You won’t grow unless you step out of your comfort zone!

“The countless opportunities to interact with fellow students, share experiences, and learn from each other’s challenges are an invaluable part of the UDMA School experience. This unique blend of camaraderie and Emily’s gentle nudges that push you outside of your comfort zone is what truly sets UDMA School apart.”

A Choice Beyond the Ordinary

While my path might not be the traditional one of a Digital Marketing Assistant, UDMA School opened doors I hadn’t really considered:

  1. Enhancing Skills for Personal and Client Growth: My goal was clear—to elevate my business and provide even more value to my clients. UDMA School’s comprehensive curriculum equipped me with skills to achieve just that.
  2. Building a Supportive Network: The school introduced me to a community of passionate individuals who share my goals. It’s not just a network; it’s a resource pool that I can tap into when my clients need those resources as well.
  3. Diverse Freelancing Opportunities: Emily’s dedication to preparing students for real-world challenges means that UDMA School caters to freelancers from various fields, widening the scope of opportunities. I have been able to use my enhanced skills with my current clients, but I am getting to know and learn about other industries where my services may also be welcomed.
  4. Comprehensive Tech Knowledge: The training modules are very in-depth and Emily opens the book and shares the tips and tricks that have made her extremely successful. She teaches you what you need to know to be successful from the start, and provides the safe space of the Facebook group to foster continuous learning and collaboration.
  5. Stepping Out of Comfort Zones: UDMA School’s role-playing exercises during live sessions nudged me to challenge myself and embrace growth.

First Class Training and Support

If you’re involved in business operations or marketing, UDMA School is an incredible treasure trove of wisdom. It caters to both newcomers and seasoned professionals, providing insights and strategies to enhance your existing skills.

“The curriculum spans vital topics like email marketing, blogging, funnels, websites, social media, and affiliate marketing. And the best part? Emily’s live Zoom calls complement the videos and homework, offering practical application and direct interaction.”

The combination of self-paced learning and interactive sessions means that you’re not just passively consuming information. You’re actively engaging with the material, internalizing it, and applying it to real-world scenarios. This hands-on approach will truly solidify your understanding and ensure that you’re ready to implement your newfound skills effectively.

Related Podcast Alert- Janelle’s UDMA School Story: Corporate Sales to Health Coach to Tech Specialist

The Personal Touch: Emily’s Involvement

The one thing that makes this course stand out above the rest is Emily’s personal involvement and her obvious commitment to her students. She goes above and beyond to connect and make sure everyone is getting what they need. And that‘s something you won’t find everywhere.

Her involvement goes beyond just sharing knowledge—she’s a mentor, a guide, and a cheerleader all rolled into one. Her genuine interest in the growth and success of her students is evident, creating an atmosphere where you feel valued and supported every step of the way.

My Heartfelt Recommendation

Whether you’re looking to start your own freelance business, update your skills for the one you already have, or bring more value to your clients in a consulting or coaching capacity, I would highly recommend Emily’s course.

She gives you everything you need to start a successful freelance business. The technical training, homework to practice, live calls to go deeper, and the community to support you on your journey. You won’t find a more comprehensive course out there, and definitely not from someone who cares as much as Emily does!

My own journey, transitioning from corporate CFO/COO to Small Business Operations Consultant, was greatly enriched by choosing UDMA School. If you’re looking to rewrite or enhance your own success story, you can embark on this transformative journey too. The world of digital marketing is waiting— step into it with the confidence and expertise that UDMA School provides.

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Connect with Deb

Want to uplevel your technical skills to better serve your clients like Deb did? Check out the Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School: a 12-week online program for acquiring digital marketing skills and running a freelance business. The next Live Cohort starts this October. You’ll gain access to a pool of potential clients eagerly seeking talented VAs like you. Count me in the next round!

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The Takeaway

Deb’s story it’s all about embracing change and taking bold steps to follow your passion. Her switch from the corporate world to small business coaching and consulting is a shining example of the incredible possibilities that open up when you put in the work, make connections, and follow your passions.

The real magic of UDMA School– the personal touch. It’s the mentorship, encouragement, and support you get, not just from me but from an amazing community that genuinely cares about your growth and success.

So, if you’ve been thinking about a career shift, want to supercharge your skills, or are eager to offer more to your clients (or even move up into a higher-level role as a consultant like Deb), don’t hesitate. Join UDMA School, where you’re not just signing up for a course but a community of digital marketers who share your journey and who are cheering you on.

— Emily, Digital Marketing Consultant and Implementer

Further Reading: More UDMA School Reviews & Stories

Yes, you really can work online.

Feeling overwhelmed about how to start working from home or build your own digital marketing business? Take a deep breath — you can do this!

Start with my list of 10 in-demand tasks that online business owners are constantly asking for help with. These are the exact skills clients look for when hiring a virtual assistant. Grab your free download now, update your VA toolkit, and see where you might want to grow next as you build your freelance business with confidence and purpose.

Download: Online tasks you could be doing as a work-from-home digital marketing service provider
Download the services you could be doing from home here.

Written by

Emily Reagan

Emily Reagan is a mom of four, board game pro, freelance digital marketer and Marketing Assistant Mentor who has helped over 450 go-getters, including military spouses, stay-at-home moms, and professional women learn in-demand skills and find flexible remote work as digital marketing assistants and specialists. She’s shared 3,000+ job leads with her freelancer community The Digital Marketer’s Workgroup.

Ask her any questions over on IG @emilyreaganpr

More about Emily

3 ways we can work together

  1. Listen to The Marketing Freelancer podcast, where I talk shop with the marketers who make online businesses run. 290+ episodes and a 5.0 rating on Apple Podcasts.

  2. Already doing marketing work and have a few clients? Want a stronger referral network? Apply for our Digital Marketer’s Workgroup—a tight-knit community of freelancers just like you. Inside, you’ll get behind-the-scenes support, advanced trainings, and troubleshooting that every solo marketer needs. Plus, I’ve shared over 3,000 job opportunities with this group—exclusive leads you won’t find anywhere else.

  3. Looking to hire a Digital Marketing Assistant? If you want to expand your team & grow your business, submit your job opportunity here. I’ll share it with the skilled unicorn marketing assistants inside my workgroup totally free.