Real Clients – Real Case Studies…
Solving Staffing Challenges at UMass Boston
for Universities & Higher Education
Case Study: University of Massachusetts Boston
The University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) has been leveraging our services since February 2020. As various departments experience staffing shortages or seasonal spikes in workload, they turn to us as their trusted “secret weapon.”
Our team integrates seamlessly with university staff, providing specialized support where it’s needed most. Whether it’s assisting with logistics, financial planning, or creative design, we step in to fill the gaps and ensure projects stay on track.
Solution
Before partnering with us, UMass Boston often struggled to meet deadlines due to limited resources. Some projects had to be put on hold, while others suffered from a lack of dedicated support. By incorporating us into their rolling budget, they now have on-demand access to our expertise, allowing them to navigate busy periods without compromising quality or efficiency.
How This Applies to You
Universities often face fluctuating workloads, tight budgets, and the challenge of managing multiple projects across departments. Our team provides seamless support by acting as an extension of their internal staff, offering project management, design, marketing, virtual assistance, and executive administrative support. We help institutions stay agile, ensuring projects move forward even during peak times.
If your university or department is facing staffing shortages or struggling to keep up with growing demands, we can help. Our team provides flexible, high-quality support tailored to your needs. Whether it’s a one-time project or ongoing assistance, we act as an extension of your team, ensuring you have the resources to succeed. Let us handle the details so you can focus on your core mission.
Client Insights
“Amber and her team are outstanding partners. They offer fantastic creative ideas, detailed follow-through, and excellent flexibility to manage dynamic projects. Amber is a strong project manager and a wonderful collaborator, easily transitioning from financial to logistics to design considerations. This is a client-focused team that takes care of all the details from start to finish.”
From VA Support to Full Launch Management: The Growth of Your Year of Miracles
for Solopreneurs & Course Creators
Case Study: Your Year of Miracles with Marci Shimoff
Marci Shimoff and her team began working with us in 2019 when they needed membership and tech support for their transformational program, Your Year of Miracles. Over time, our role expanded to managing their entire membership backend, and today, we serve as Marci’s trusted Launch Director.
In our first year working together, we helped grow Marci’s launch by 20%. Since then, her launches have continued to scale, allowing her to take Fridays off, spend more time with her family, and even travel internationally without worrying about business continuity. Whether she’s in India for three weeks or spending time with her husband and doggie Lola, she trusts that everything will run smoothly in her absence.
Solution
Initially, Marci faced challenges with limited resources, especially during launches. By leveraging our team, she now has six dedicated specialists supporting her launches, providing overflow assistance during peak seasons. This partnership has transformed her business operations—from part-time VA support to a fully managed tech and launch team led by our experts.
How This Applies to You
Running a successful online program requires seamless tech support, membership management, and flawless execution during high-stakes launches. Our team provides expert backend support, launch management, and operational efficiency, allowing business owners to scale without stress.
If you’re a solopreneur or online course creator struggling with launch execution, tech management, or membership support, our team can help. We step in as an extension of your business, ensuring your programs run efficiently while you focus on growth and personal freedom. Let us handle the backend so you can enjoy more time for what matters most.
Client Insights
“They trust that it’ll get done. They can relax, they don’t have to worry. I can travel because I know you guys are going to do what you’re going to do.”
How Jeanna Gabellini Built a Thriving Business and Gained More Freedom
for Coaches & Online Business Owners
Case Study: MasterPeace Coaching with Jeanna Gabellini
Jeanna Gabellini, founder of MasterPeace Coaching, started working with us in 2009 with just 10 hours per month of VA support. Over the past 16 years, our partnership has evolved into full-scale business management, with our team running her launches, tech, customer support, and membership programs.
Solution
With our expertise, Jeanna’s business has grown exponentially, allowing her to step back from daily operations and focus on what she loves most. Today, she enjoys her weekends at her cabin in Lake Shasta, knowing that her business is in good hands. With our team managing the backend, she has the time and freedom to focus on her vision without worrying about the details.
How This Applies to You
Scaling a coaching business requires more than just great content—it demands seamless tech, customer support, and launch management. Our team provides end-to-end operational support, allowing business owners to grow without getting stuck in day-to-day tasks.
If you’re a coach or online business owner struggling with the weight of managing your business, our team can help. We provide the structure, support, and expertise needed to scale your business while freeing up your time. Let us handle the operations so you can focus on growth, impact, and enjoying the lifestyle you’ve worked so hard to create.
Client Insights
The easiest techie girl I’ve ever worked with and she knows how to make things pleasing to the eye. Plus, I love knowing if I’m in a pinch or my website has a glitch, she will find a solution fast! Amber ROCKS!
Emergency Email Migration Saves Netflix Launch: A 12-Hour Rescue
For high-stakes launches
Case Study: Netflix Launch in 2021
In 2021, we were working with a prominent client in the adult education space, preparing for a massive Netflix release featuring coaching aimed at couples. The project was set to debut high-profile personalities like Gwenyth Paltrow, and our client.
The launch was pivotal, and we had meticulously prepared all marketing efforts, including email automations and communications, leading up to the big day. However, just 12 hours before the Netflix launch, our client’s email service provider shut down their account for spam complaints. With the clock ticking and the Netflix series about to go live, we had no choice but to act quickly to prevent disaster.
Solution
Our team quickly jumped into action. The challenge was immense, but with the expertise of our team, we reconfigured everything under a tight deadline. We worked fast to ensure all email automations were up and running smoothly, while ensuring compliance with email best practices.
Our rapid response allowed us to save the launch. Not only did we transition seamlessly to a new email provider in under 12 hours, but the Netflix release went off without a hitch. The client was thrilled with the outcome and decided to continue working with us, recognizing our ability to handle such high-pressure situations. This event also solidified our relationship with them, showing that we could handle any curveball thrown our way.
How This Applies to You
If you’re an email marketer, business owner, or team leader, you know that technical issues and unforeseen challenges can arise at any moment, threatening the success of your campaign. The key is to act quickly and have a reliable team and process in place to resolve issues before they derail your success. Whether it’s an email provider shutdown, deliverability issues, or sudden changes in your marketing strategy, having the right support system can make all the difference in ensuring your goals are still achieved, even under pressure.
Building a Business to Retirement: Casey Truffo’s Journey
for Business Owners Transitioning to Retirement
Case Study: Casey Truffo
In 2006, Casey Truffo, a coach and therapist, was growing her online business and looking for help. She hired Amber Miller as her virtual assistant (VA) for just 10 hours per month. Over the next two years, their collaboration grew immensely, with Amber becoming Casey’s Director of Operations, handling up to 100 hours of work per month. Over the years, Amber played a pivotal role in helping Casey scale her business, transitioning from running an online coaching business to offering in-person events, online mentorship programs, and eventually growing her team.
Amber not only supported Casey’s business operations but also helped her maintain balance in her career as a therapist. After 18 years of partnership, Casey was ready to retire but wanted to ensure her business could run seamlessly without her constant involvement.
Solution
Thanks to Amber’s support, Casey was able to grow and scale her business in ways she never imagined, including transitioning from being fully hands-on to retiring with peace of mind. Amber became indispensable to Casey’s business success. Through their work together, Amber helped Casey manage every facet of her business—executing strategic planning, onboarding and managing teams, and launching in-person and online events. She also assisted in building and refining Casey’s mentorship programs, ensuring each step aligned with Casey’s larger goals. Amber’s ability to focus on what mattered most allowed Casey to step away from day-to-day operations and ultimately retire, knowing her business would continue to thrive.
Amber’s dedication to Casey’s goals, combined with her business expertise and leadership, played a key role in this successful transition.
How This Applies to You
Finding the right person—someone as invested in your success as you are—can help you not only manage your business day-to-day but also set you up for a smooth transition to retirement or a new phase of growth. Whether it’s expanding your offerings, building a team, or streamlining operations, the right partner can make all the difference in achieving your long-term goals.
Sharing some love we have received from our clients!
Where most entrepreneurs get stuck in everything ’tech’ it takes to market their brand and sell online. There’s no need to do it yourself, or even figure out what you need. Smart to Finish is a great resource for busy entrepreneurs who need virtual assistance and tech support.
Amber and team are outstanding partners. They offer fantastic creative ideas, detailed follow through, and excellent flexibility to manage dynamic projects. Amber is a strong project manager and is a wonderful collaborator easily transitioning from financial, to logistics, to design considerations. This is a client focused team that takes care of all the details from start to finish.
Amber is a rockstar. Not only does she have years of experience as a VA and knows more than many others in our industry, she also has something that can’t be taught – dedication. Once Amber commits to something she is in 100% and will do whatever it takes to deliver. I highly recommend Amber and her team for the brilliance and knowledge.
In the 21 years I’ve owned and operated my business I have hired a number of people to support my vision.
By far, Amber of Smart to Finish, is in the top percentile of outstanding vendors I’ve worked with.
She, and her entire team, is conscientious, committed to the success of her clients, delivers above and beyond and a true delight to work with.
I have recommended Amber to many of my clients and will continue to do so. It is with complete confidence you can hire Smart to Finish for many of your company needs.
For the past 6 years I have had the good fortune of working with Smart to Finish to handle my outgoing newsletter and email blasts.
They are very professional and easy to work with and I am always impressed with how responsive they are to my needs and requests.
I love working with them virtually!
“A” Team’s got your back!
For years, I restricted my growth by trying to do too many things, and not well at that.
Then came my motto, “Banish the solo in solo preneur”. I used to say, I could not afford to have support in administration and operations. Now I know, I can’t afford not to have it.
Here’s the rub. It’s not enough for me to have support that is “good”. I want to work with people that are interesting, engaged, and with flair and personality. Check out their web site (smarttofinish.com) and you can feel the vibe. I assure you, its authentic branding.
I am grateful to have found Smart to Finish. Hat’s off to Amber for building a team of light-hearted, skilled Divas that not only get it done, get it done well, but do it with personality and heart. Winning combination. I work with Andrea, but I rest easy knowing if she is enjoying well deserved personal time, someone on the “A” team has her back (and mine). I affectionately call them the “A” team because 40% of the first names begin with the letter A. 😊 But I’ve worked with Laura, and she is just as “A”.
I am grateful to the “A” team for their enthusiastic support and without hesitation recommend their service so you can focus on investing your precious energy on the objectives that bring you to the next level in your business. They’ve got your back. With enthusiasm!
When you work with Smart To Finish, you’re not just hiring a virtual assistant.
Amber is a talented project manager with extensive knowledge of online businesses and a deep bench of multi-talented team players. Plus she genuinely cares. She and her Divas have taken the time to really get to know our business (and us!).
Not only do I feel completely comfortable delegating critical tasks (and knowing that they’ll be done right) but they’ve suggested new tools and better practices that have made our business run better and more profitably.
It is hands down the best staffing investment we’ve ever made.
Amber Miller is the absolutely the best assistant I have worked with in the last 20 years. She cares about her client’s businesses, successes and lives as if they were her own. I know she is as committed to my business as I am and I can relax and let go.
It is rare that you can find someone who is as committed to your goals as you are – but that is Amber Miller. Her business experience, commitment to customer service, technological gifts and ability to focus on what is important are a rare combination.
“I’ve worked with Amber and her team now for 9 years now. She’s delightful to work with. She understands the struggles of entrepreneurship and the challenges of online marketing. She creates the conduit to navigating both and keeping your sanity intact in the process!”
Amber, Kate and the whole approach to STF’s customer service are the best I’ve had in 12 years of business!
So pleased and grateful 🙏
I’ve been working with Smart To Finish for 10 years now and I’ve come to think of them as “my team.” From their knowledge of Infusionsoft (they know all the things it can do!) to their web design and support skills, I count on them to run the marketing side of my business.
They are incredibly responsive and, quite frankly, so fun to work with! Try them out and, I promise, you will be with them for a long time too.
Amber and team are great at jumping into any challenge or area we need them to help with in our business.
They have a wide range of expertise, are positive in energy, and are strategic in their efforts.
We use them for website changes, tech issues, database management, and other assistance and support.
Thank you Bethany and Team!! We truly appreciate your knowledge and how you are not a task person. You go above and beyond and put your brain into it. You are exactly what we need. A million thank yous.
Amanda is not only very professional but really seeks to understand the focus of her client and their intention in what they are building with their business. She has had patience as well as invaluable input regarding our projects. She is focused and dedicated as well as very collaborative.
I highly recommend Amanda as not only a VA but also a collaborator for business. I look forward to continuing to work with her and Smart to Finish to evolve my business!
Many thanks,
One of the best decisions I made in my business, is to start working with Amber and Smart to Finish in 2012. Amber and her team go above and beyond to make sure everything that needs to be done behind the scenes of my business goes smoothly & efficiently. From answering client emails to technical issues to designing my new website to creating the most beautiful sales pages: their work is always fantastic. The quality of their work is outstanding. And if something is urgent, they immediately take any action that needs to be taken.
On top of all that, both Amber and her team members are wonderful people to work with: they truly care for my business and me.
I feel very fortunate to work with them, and I cannot recommend them highly enough! They truly are the best, and I am certain you will love them as much I as do.
If you’re looking for an A-Plus Virtual Assistant, I would highly recommend Amber Miller. She is a team player and does exceptional work. Please feel free to message me if you need any other recommendation.
I used to be stressed and overwhelmed by all the work I had to get done as an entrepreneur. I wanted to be able to stay in creative content and flow, but not knowing how to do the tech stuff, and the lack of desire and time to learn how, kept me stuck.
I realized I couldn’t do it all alone; I needed support to be able to see the vision of my business to fruition and a team of people that would help me get there. Working with Smart to Finish was the best decision I’ve made in growing my business.
Everyone I’ve worked with has been easy to communicate with, gave prompt turnaround time to tasks, and most importantly, was able to see potential issues, solve them before I even knew about it, and presented me with such quality work that I didn’t need to spend time and money in the up and back of corrections. This allows me to completely trust my team to get it done efficiently and professionally.
I couldn’t ask for a better support to grow my business. I have recommended Smart to Finish to so many people! I can’t say enough how grateful I am to have them on my side.
Working with Amber and her team is super easy. I had a conversation with Amber and right off the bat – I knew. I had been interviewing VAs and when we chatted, it was a full body YES!
Having Amber and her team help me with copy, accountability and focus has been hugely impactful for my business. Smart to Finish truly wants to be a part of the success of all their clients businesses. I highly recommend Amber, Smart to Finish and her stellar Diva team!
Amber not only has knowledge of html, wordpress and infusionsoft – but her fun personality and sincere interest in her clients is what truly sets her apart. Her genuine support of my business feels it is coming from her heart.
Amber’s team is exceptional: smart, conscientious, professional, and fun! Their technical expertise and proactive support made my program launch seamless and stressless. They consistently had my back (and held my hand!).
I can’t recommend them highly enough.
Just wanted to check in and let you know how much we LOVE working your team . Exactly what we look for in a team member.
Thank you for being so sensitive to our needs!
My requirements for team members are simple. I look for someone who is 100% reliable, trustworthy and punctual. I also look for someone who is pleasant to work with and wears well over time. I have been working with Amber over four years now and she is all of the above and more!
Back in 2013, the Smart to Finish team was able to jump in and pick up where an exiting team left off. The hand-off was done quickly and smoothly and it was nice to have the backup of a full team so there was no downtime if a team member was out. The Divas helped keep our launches on track and provided valuable feedback from their experience with other launches.
The Divas also took over the reins of client care, helped us get our files organized, and made sure that our clients felt taken care of and that they were number one. They also helped train new team members made sure the coaches had what they needed. They really were a part of our work family and not just consultants.
Amber and her team are top notch! They helped us with a launch and gave us excellent tips and strategies that increased our success from the previous year.
Having worked with Amber and her team for about 8 years now, I can confidently say that I trust that whatever I need on the backend of my business will be done. Anything from launch email campaigns, creating website sales pages, autoresponders, graphics, editing radio show audios, managing FB group admin, wordpress website management, customer liaison, back up for webinars and probably so much more that I haven’t covered. Amber is always a calm force when things are chaotic, and a great support when creating plans and taking care of business! I’m truly appreciative of all she and her team do.
I was just reviewing my hours update from Smart to Finish and marveled at how proficient you are without wasting my time (and money). I think that’s a fear of any entrepreneur considering hiring a VA — that they’ll needlessly inflate hours. I know I never have to worry about that with you and the Smart to Finish crew.
Also, I believe we’ve established a great rapport and understanding of each other. I really appreciate your suggestions and initiatives and, most of all, caring about my clients, my business and myself. It’s wonderful working with you, Lori, and I’m so glad I chose Smart to Finish.
Amber, just want to let you know how amazing Penelope and Maya are. They’ve been helping me so much and your team is so professional. Just want to acknowledge and appreciate the great support.
Just wanted to share how thrilled I am with Tina’s work on my developing website! Simply amazing! Thoroughly knowledgeable about her craft! Always super eager to help and provide whatever information I need!
Always takes the time we need and is totally committed to getting it right and ending up with a masterpiece!
Thank you for having Tina on your team so she can be on my team and everyone else’ team who is fortunate enough to be your client and work with smarttofinish.
When I came to Smart To Finish it was my second time speaking with them. I wish I had hired them in the first place. Instead I went with a solo virtual assistant who was charging just a bit lower. I lost tons of money and time with her. With Smart To Finish, my work is completed on time and the team reminds me if I forgot something. Wow. This team is exceptional in every way. I thank God everyday for their support in making my business a huge success. I’ve been online for a while and I can say that Smart to Finish is just what the doctor ordered!
Bethany Hogan from Smart to Finish stood out as a highly knowledgeable and efficient virtual assistant, making tasks effortless. Collaborating with her felt like working with a best friend; we quickly connected, and her insights on business operations and automation boosted team productivity. I’m excited to use Smart to Finish for my growing client base!