"I looked at other virtual assisting companies, and they just were like, 'Oh, this is the job we have and this is the person we have, and let's get the body in the seat.' That's not always a good fit. So for me, it was important that the CSCs were like, 'This is the type of person this assistant is, and this is the type of person that she needs to work with.' And it just felt like she was always on my side. BELAY was always on my side, and I enjoyed that so much. And it definitely paid off because look where I am now."
— Tonya Allen-Mucci, Executive Assistant to the Co-Founders
The Challenge
Tonya Allen-Mucci's career path took an unexpected turn when she left New York City and hit the road full-time in an RV with her husband. Searching for flexibility and a sense of purpose, she needed remote work that would let her travel freely while building something meaningful.
Through a friend on Instagram, Tonya discovered BELAY and quickly went through the interview process.
"I found BELAY through a friend of mine on Instagram. I interviewed and BELAY was super fantastic."
Having worked many jobs over the years, Tonya had experienced her share of workplaces where she never felt fully valued or connected. She was looking for more than a paycheck — she was looking for a company and team that aligned with her values and genuinely cared about her wellbeing. Finding that kind of fit, she knew, was rare.
The Solution
BELAY matched Tonya as a Virtual Assistant with RealWealth, a California-based real estate investment group co-founded by Rich and Kathy Fettke. But it wasn't a random placement — a BELAY Client Success Coordinator took a personal interest in finding the right cultural match.
"A Client Success Coordinator called me one day and said, 'I have this client that I think you would be a great culture fit for them.'"
That introduction proved transformative. From the first conversation with Rich Fettke, Tonya knew this was something different. Within her first year working with RealWealth through BELAY, she had already found what she described as the best working environment of her career.
BELAY's approach — prioritizing personality, values, and culture fit over simply filling a seat — made all the difference. The ongoing advocacy from her Client Success Coordinator gave Tonya confidence that someone was always in her corner, invested in her long-term success.
"I've never worked for anybody who cared so much about my wellbeing as this company [does]."
— Tonya Allen-Mucci, Executive Assistant to the Co-FoundersThe Impact
After approximately one year working together through BELAY, RealWealth co-founder Rich Fettke asked Tonya to join the company as a full-time Executive Assistant. He shared that the company had been searching for someone like her for 17 years — a testament to just how rare the right fit truly is.
Three years later, Tonya remains in that role and couldn't be more fulfilled.
"I could not be happier. They are an incredible company and completely have the values I look for in a company and partnership."
For Tonya, the impact goes beyond career satisfaction. She found a workplace where she is genuinely valued — not just told so, but shown it every day.
"[Rich] values me, and shows me he values me and tells me he values me. And that, to me, is much more important than any monetary thing — or any gift — you could give me."
RealWealth, now with over 66,000 members and three consecutive years on the Inc. 5000 list of America's Fastest Growing Companies, has partnered with BELAY for five years — and the placement that brought Tonya on board stands as one of the most impactful matches in that relationship.