"She was able to come up with solutions. For instance, we're trying to track our listings and track appointments. She was able to go into Google Drive and create spreadsheets and kind of help create some of the systems that we needed to track, like results, sales, houses under contract, and then helping move those sales to closing."
— Ryan Spencer, President
The Challenge
Ryan Spencer, president of the Ryan Spencer Team with Coldwell Banker ONE, had built his business on faith, ethics, and relentless service — but he was struggling to find the right operational support to keep pace with growth. He already had an assistant, but she required constant direction. Rather than freeing his time, the arrangement consumed it: Ryan found himself repeatedly telling her exactly what to do, over and over again.
What Ryan needed was experience — a proactive partner who could manage his calendar, create documents for tracking goals and property sales, and oversee project timelines without being micromanaged. He needed someone who could take the ball and run with it.
What he absolutely did not need was someone he would have to babysit. After hearing about BELAY three separate times — first on the Andy Stanley podcast, then through his EntreLeadership group, and again through Dave Ramsey — the message felt impossible to ignore. He made the call.
The Solution
BELAY matched Ryan with LaTeisha James, a Virtual Assistant who wasted no time earning his trust through action. From day one, LaTeisha committed to proving her dedication through every task — no matter how small.
"Even if he gives me the smallest tasks, I give it my all. So [he] can see I'm dedicated. I'm doing it quickly and on time and I'm like, 'Hey. I've done this. What else can I do for you?'"
LaTeisha didn't wait to be told what needed building — she built it. She went into Google Drive and created the spreadsheets and tracking systems Ryan's team needed to monitor listings, appointments, houses under contract, and sales through to closing. She took initiative to streamline day-to-day processes that had previously fallen through the cracks.
Then came an unexpected bonus: LaTeisha's master's degree in communications opened an entirely new dimension of support. She began writing eBooks for Ryan's clients — a home buyer's guide and a home seller's guide — adding a content marketing layer his business hadn't had before.
"I didn't have to tell her exactly what to do. Once a house goes under contract, she's able to keep things moving. I'm more of a task kind of guy; I'm a doer kind of person."
— Ryan Spencer, PresidentThe Impact
With LaTeisha managing the operational details, Ryan was finally free to focus on the work only he could do: serving clients and leading his team. The relief was immediate.
"I didn't have to tell her exactly what to do. Once a house goes under contract, she's able to keep things moving. I'm more of a task kind of guy; I'm a doer kind of person."
LaTeisha's value extended beyond Ryan himself — she became a resource for the entire team, helping hold everyone accountable to the tasks that needed to get done. Ryan leveraged her presence to keep the whole operation running on track.
Nearly two published eBooks into their engagement, the biggest win Ryan names isn't a system or a spreadsheet — it's trust.
"To have an assistant that is competent and does a good job that you can trust. Just to have somebody that makes you feel confident and helps keep us on the cutting edge."