""Being able to find somebody that could help bring order to the chaos is why I reached out to BELAY. When I started working with Kemi, she demonstrated to me that there's a level of trust that I shouldn't be afraid of with her personality and with her persistence. The personal aspect and the personal touch that I get with [Kemi] means the world to me.""
— Damon Taylor, Founder & Executive Director
The Challenge
Damon Taylor wears many hats. As the founder of Here For You Enterprise — a community mental health agency serving individuals with co-occurring disorders — he leads a team of 11 people providing outpatient substance abuse treatment. At the same time, he was pursuing a Ph.D., completing an internship, and managing the day-to-day demands of running his agency.
The pressure eventually became unsustainable.
"I was overbooking schedules. I was double booking. I am a Ph.D. student, doing an internship, and also running my own business. Life was getting hectic. I had to be honest with myself [in order to realize] I felt unproductive during that time because it was too much to do."
When a colleague mentioned he used a virtual assistant to balance schedules, screen applicants, and coordinate meetings, Damon began researching the option — but he had reservations. As his first experience with virtual work, he was concerned that sensitive client information connected to his mental health practice could be compromised in an online environment. He also wanted assurance that he and his VA would genuinely work well together.
The Solution
When Damon connected with BELAY Client Success Consultant Allyson, she listened carefully to his background and concerns. She assured him that whoever BELAY matched him with would be a strong personality fit — and then introduced him to Virtual Assistant Kemi Kodja.
From the start, both Allyson and Kemi focused on identifying areas where systems could be built to restore structure to Damon's day.
"Allyson explained to me that [this engagement] was going to not be just administrative work but a lot of creating systems, which really excited me,"Kemi recalls. With a background in digital marketing, Kemi was also well-positioned to help Damon grow his agency's online presence through Facebook and Instagram.
Each day, Kemi manages Damon's inbox, organizes emails, monitors his calendar, creates reminders for upcoming events, and oversees active Facebook ad campaigns. She also develops social media content for both Facebook and Instagram — giving Damon's agency a consistent, professional online voice while freeing him to focus on higher-level work.
""Kemi and I meet weekly to make sure we have a game plan. I like closure, and one of the things I really appreciate is that we close out the week and we prepare for the coming week. That's critical to me because on those weeks when everything feels hectic, I can at least hear my productivity for the week.""
— Damon Taylor, Founder & Executive DirectorThe Impact
The results of working with Kemi have extended far beyond Damon's calendar. Weekly planning sessions give him a reliable framework — a chance to close out one week and prepare for the next — that keeps him grounded even during hectic stretches.
"It makes life easier. I actually have time to sit down and be a son to my mom. I have time to sit down and be a father to my son. I can actually be a friend. I can begin to have some balance to be a student, take care of my internship, and take care of my agency."
Damon credits open communication as the cornerstone of their success. He equips Kemi with all the tools she needs, and Kemi ensures there is never confusion about priorities or responsibilities. The result is a partnership built on trust — something Damon was initially uncertain he could find in a virtual working relationship.
"I give her all of the tools to accomplish what she needs to accomplish so that way I can go to bed at night feeling as though I did my part."