"I had it in this very elementary stage. I had an idea for it but I hadn't started to put it together. Lisa got us further in three months than I have gotten in four years."
— Dr. Angie Palafox, Breast Surgeon / Private Practice Owner
The Challenge
Dr. Angie Palafox is a breast surgeon specializing in the comprehensive care of breast cancer patients in South San Antonio and South Texas. In private practice since 2006 and operating as a solo practice since 2015, she was running her small clinic alongside her husband with just two employees and one contractor — and the demands were becoming unsustainable.
"My husband and I were trying to grow and run the practice together with just me and him which was very difficult — it's just like any other small business. And then I had a small child, and I was feeling overwhelmed and scattered every single day."
Stretched thin across clinical work, operations, and family life, Angie turned to productivity podcasts searching for a way to regain control. It was through a Michael Hyatt podcast that she first discovered BELAY. Though her husband was initially hesitant given their tight budget, Angie trusted her instincts.
"I went for it, and I did it anyway. It was the best decision I ever made."
The Solution
BELAY matched Dr. Palafox with Virtual Assistant Lisa Molettiere, who quickly became central to how the practice runs. Lisa took ownership of two of Angie's most burdensome responsibilities: scheduling and email management. Before Lisa, Angie had been managing her own calendar off the top of her head — leaving her perpetually anxious about missing something critical.
"When I realized all of the things that she does for me now and keeps me in line with, [I can see that] it's going a million times better than I ever did on my own. Knowing that I don't have to constantly check my email is a huge load off for me."
Lisa also took over client communications — sending thank-you notes, flowers, and cookies on Angie's behalf — and proactively surfaced new ways to help. Angie frequently references BELAY's 25 Things You Can Delegate to an Assistant Today resource in their ongoing work together.
Beyond day-to-day practice support, Lisa stepped in to help Angie bring a long-deferred creative project to life: a planner and companion book for breast cancer patients designed to help them track their treatment journey and feel empowered through an overwhelming experience.
"What I was constantly worried about was that I was going to blow it in some way. I was worried I was either going to forget to do something, forget to schedule something, or forget to follow up with something, and I have substantially less of that [fear] because of Lisa."
— Dr. Angie Palafox, Breast Surgeon / Private Practice OwnerThe Impact
The results of working with Lisa have been transformative for Dr. Palafox, both professionally and personally. Most remarkably, a book project Angie had been dreaming about for four years finally gained real momentum.
"I had it in this very elementary stage. I had an idea for it but I hadn't started to put it together. Lisa got us further in three months than I have gotten in four years."
Lisa proofread every chapter, built out appointment calendars, added space for patient notes, and designed the front and back cover — even contributing ideas from the patient's perspective. The collaborative progress was something Angie had never been able to generate working alone.
Beyond the book, the most meaningful shift has been in Angie's day-to-day peace of mind. Where she once logged 14-hour days in constant fear of dropping the ball, Lisa's support has made an organized 8- to 10-hour workday feel within reach.
"What I was constantly worried about was that I was going to blow it in some way. I was worried I was either going to forget to do something, forget to schedule something, or forget to follow up with something, and I have substantially less of that [fear] because of Lisa."