"Being able to hand some of that stuff over — even if it seems small like email management or meeting and calendar — relieves me from some of that anxiety of having so much to do and not having enough time to think, plan and strategize. Freeing [myself] up and not feeling like I'm always buried under details has helped me be a better leader for the company."
— Steve Anderson, Co-founder and CEO
The Challenge
Steve Anderson has spent his career at the intersection of the insurance industry and technology — writing, consulting, and speaking on how independent agencies can put technology to work for them. When he co-founded Catalyit, an IT services and consulting firm dedicated to simplifying technology for insurance agents, his goal was to scale that mission and build a thriving community for independent agents.
But the realities of running a growing company quickly pulled Steve away from his core strengths. Administrative demands multiplied, leaving little room for the strategic thinking and content creation that defined his value.
"When we started the company, I was doing all kinds of things that were taking me away from what I do best, which is content creation, ideas and looking into the future."
The weight of operational tasks was becoming a liability — not just for his productivity, but for his ability to lead. Steve needed a trusted partner who could take ownership of the details and restore his capacity to focus on the work only he could do.
The Solution
Steve had been aware of BELAY for some time before making the move. Once he did, BELAY matched him with Virtual Assistant Alexandra Dellerson — and from the start, the two were intentional about building a relationship grounded in trust and honest communication.
"As she and I started working together, we made a pact that said, 'If this isn't working, I'll tell you, and if it's not working for you, you tell me.' And we've changed some stuff because of that willingness to be open with each other and [to be] kindly honest."
Alexandra initially took ownership of two high-priority areas: email and calendar management. The engagement started at 65 hours per month and grew from there, with Alexandra's responsibilities expanding beyond Steve to support other members of the Catalyit team. She took on building consulting proposals, tracking payments, deploying invoices, managing projects, and capturing meeting notes.
"We have a great working relationship," Steve said. "Her role has expanded into helping others within the company." What had once felt impossible — fully delegating his inbox — had become one of the clearest wins of the partnership.
"I couldn't imagine how anybody could take over my email, and now I can because she has."
— Steve Anderson, Co-founder and CEOThe Impact
With Alexandra handling the operational load, Steve regained the time and mental space to lead Catalyit the way he had always envisioned — through content, ideas, and strategic vision.
"I'm able to spend more of my time doing what I do best. I was getting pretty stressed out being required to do things that aren't in my skillset. Alexandra is, in a lot of ways, a calming influence."
The impact was as much emotional as it was operational. The anxiety of constant overwhelm — the feeling of being buried under details with no room to think — began to lift. That shift, Steve found, made him a more effective and present leader for his team.
"Being able to hand some of that stuff over — even if it seems small like email management or meeting and calendar — relieves me from some of that anxiety of having so much to do and not having enough time to think, plan and strategize. Freeing [myself] up and not feeling like I'm always buried under details has helped me be a better leader for the company."
Today, Steve is better positioned to pursue Catalyit's core mission: helping insurance agents navigate and leverage technology. The partnership with BELAY didn't just free up hours — it restored his ability to move forward with clarity and purpose.