RelationshipOps of the Week #21.
Virtual Support & Administrative Talent Agency
|
Mar 13, 2026
“One of my biggest “relationship wins” didn’t start with one person. It began with a room.”
Bonnie C. Schutz.
Bonnie C. Schutz didn’t just become a CEO overnight. She earned it… step by step, starting as a trusted Executive Assistant to top CEOs, then leaping to run her own firm, Tandem Resource Solutions (TRS).
What makes her journey so worth sharing isn’t just the title change.
It’s how she’s using everything she learned supporting leaders to now lead her own team of EAs. Bonnie’s gone from scheduling other people’s meetings to shaping strategy, winning clients, and managing a growing business.
Since 2015, TRS has paid over $800,000 to U.S.-based Virtual Assistants, many of whom are single mothers, BIPOC professionals, military spouses, and women reentering the workforce after corporate life.
And they’re on track to surpass $1M by the end of 2025.
The main driver that made this possible has been…
… relationships.
In fact, she’s taken it one step further… developing her own internal “RelationshipOps” system to keep her network close, connected, and collaborative.
That’s why we’ve invited her to this week’s article…
From EA to CEO.
Leonard Chin: What’s an instance when a relationship led to a big win or a really great opportunity for your business?
Bonnie C. Schutz:
“One of my biggest “relationship wins” didn’t start with one person. It began with a room.
Saying yes to the SecondAct Women community completely changed the trajectory of my business and my confidence as a founder. Walking into that space, created by co-founders Barbara Brooks and her then-business partner, Lupe Hirt, gave me something I didn’t even know I was starving for. I was in the middle of leaving a 27-year corporate career as an Executive Assistant and stepping into my second act as a CEO. They and that community saw me as a business owner long before I fully claimed it for myself.
Because of my continued relationship with SecondAct Women to this day, doors have opened that I never would have scripted. I’ve served on a panel at one of their signature events. Barbara later invited me to join her on a panel at Denver Startup Week. I was even chosen as their “poster child” success story for women in their second act and featured on CBS Colorado. Today, I serve on their Advisory Council. Barbara prefers “council” over “board,” which fits the group's collaborative, community-first energy perfectly.
Through all of that, I’ve gained clients, collaborators, visibility, and, honestly, a more profound belief in myself as a leader. The biggest win was not just the media features or speaking opportunities. It was being in a relationship with a community that reflected a bigger version of me and my business. It is a reminder that sometimes the most powerful “referral source” is not a single person. It is a community that holds the vision with you until you can carry it on your own.”
Treat Them Like a Garden.
Leonard Chin: What's your daily/weekly routine for maintaining relationships that help your business?
Bonnie C. Schutz:
“My “RelationshipOps” system is part mindful/intentional, part rhythmic, and part tangible sticky notes.
Every week, I:
Spend focused time on LinkedIn commenting thoughtfully, sending quick DMs, and cheering on my people’s wins.
Schedule or honor 1:1 virtual coffees and catch-up calls with clients, collaborators, and fellow founders.
Say yes to a few key in-person events or meetups each month, so I’m not just a profile picture to my network.
Daily, I:
Send at least a few “no-agenda” touchpoints. A quick voice note, a text saying, “thinking of you,” or a message sharing a podcast episode or resource that made me think of someone.
Follow up with guests, partners, and clients with genuine gratitude. Not a form note. A real “I saw you; I appreciated this specific thing you brought to the table.”
I don’t treat relationships like a sales pipeline. I treat them like a garden. I water them consistently through micro-touchpoints, curiosity, and being the kind of person who follows through. Business opportunities show up naturally when you’re already in conversation.”
Make Opportunities Last.
Leonard Chin: What tips would you give to your younger self around relationships and how they impact business?
Bonnie C. Schutz:
“To my younger self, hustling (quietly rolling my eyes at that word now) through corporate hallways and color-coding executive calendars, I’d say this:
Stop treating relationships as “nice to have.” They are the business strategy. The people you sit next to in the conference room, the admins you swap stories with, the women you meet at that small networking meetup… those are your future clients, collaborators, and referral partners.
Play the long game. Not every connection has to turn into a client next week. Show up consistently. Be helpful without keeping score. Your name will start traveling into rooms you’re not in.
Ask for help sooner. You don’t get extra credit for doing it all yourself. People actually feel closer to you when you let them in, ask for guidance, or invite them to build something with you.
Protect your energy and boundaries. Not every relationship is meant to last forever. It’s okay to bless some connections and set them down so you have room for the ones that truly support the business and the life you’re building.
Most of all, I’d remind her that relationships are what make opportunities last. The contracts, the partnerships, the podcast invites, the referrals… they all flow from how you make people feel when they’re in your orbit.”
Key Takeaways.
Bonnie C. Schutz is the first leader who mentioned “RelationshipOps” in this series, and we’re thankful for that because we sincerely think what drives the growth of a service firm is none other than the relationship operations we work on every day.
Reconnecting…. following up… helping others…
And all these compounds.
In conclusion, we’re glad to have Bonnie with us on this week’s series, and if anything, here are a few key takeaways:
Relationships with communities can unlock belief before you fully see it in yourself… and that kind of support can change the course of your business.
Consistency wins. Bonnie blends voice notes, virtual coffees, LinkedIn touchpoints, and small meetups into a weekly rhythm that keeps her connections warm and real.
Stop treating relationships as an afterthought. They are the strategy. Play the long game, give without tracking, and protect your energy so the right people stay close.
That’s all for now.
If you're open to sharing your experiences in one of our future articles… or know of someone who is, feel free to drop me an email here.
Author.
Leonard Chin
Follow me on LinkedIn.
Bonnie C. Schutz.
Bonnie C. Schutz didn’t just become a CEO overnight. She earned it… step by step, starting as a trusted Executive Assistant to top CEOs, then leaping to run her own firm, Tandem Resource Solutions (TRS).
What makes her journey so worth sharing isn’t just the title change.
It’s how she’s using everything she learned supporting leaders to now lead her own team of EAs. Bonnie’s gone from scheduling other people’s meetings to shaping strategy, winning clients, and managing a growing business.
Since 2015, TRS has paid over $800,000 to U.S.-based Virtual Assistants, many of whom are single mothers, BIPOC professionals, military spouses, and women reentering the workforce after corporate life.
And they’re on track to surpass $1M by the end of 2025.
The main driver that made this possible has been…
… relationships.
In fact, she’s taken it one step further… developing her own internal “RelationshipOps” system to keep her network close, connected, and collaborative.
That’s why we’ve invited her to this week’s article…
From EA to CEO.
Leonard Chin: What’s an instance when a relationship led to a big win or a really great opportunity for your business?
Bonnie C. Schutz:
“One of my biggest “relationship wins” didn’t start with one person. It began with a room.
Saying yes to the SecondAct Women community completely changed the trajectory of my business and my confidence as a founder. Walking into that space, created by co-founders Barbara Brooks and her then-business partner, Lupe Hirt, gave me something I didn’t even know I was starving for. I was in the middle of leaving a 27-year corporate career as an Executive Assistant and stepping into my second act as a CEO. They and that community saw me as a business owner long before I fully claimed it for myself.
Because of my continued relationship with SecondAct Women to this day, doors have opened that I never would have scripted. I’ve served on a panel at one of their signature events. Barbara later invited me to join her on a panel at Denver Startup Week. I was even chosen as their “poster child” success story for women in their second act and featured on CBS Colorado. Today, I serve on their Advisory Council. Barbara prefers “council” over “board,” which fits the group's collaborative, community-first energy perfectly.
Through all of that, I’ve gained clients, collaborators, visibility, and, honestly, a more profound belief in myself as a leader. The biggest win was not just the media features or speaking opportunities. It was being in a relationship with a community that reflected a bigger version of me and my business. It is a reminder that sometimes the most powerful “referral source” is not a single person. It is a community that holds the vision with you until you can carry it on your own.”
Treat Them Like a Garden.
Leonard Chin: What's your daily/weekly routine for maintaining relationships that help your business?
Bonnie C. Schutz:
“My “RelationshipOps” system is part mindful/intentional, part rhythmic, and part tangible sticky notes.
Every week, I:
Spend focused time on LinkedIn commenting thoughtfully, sending quick DMs, and cheering on my people’s wins.
Schedule or honor 1:1 virtual coffees and catch-up calls with clients, collaborators, and fellow founders.
Say yes to a few key in-person events or meetups each month, so I’m not just a profile picture to my network.
Daily, I:
Send at least a few “no-agenda” touchpoints. A quick voice note, a text saying, “thinking of you,” or a message sharing a podcast episode or resource that made me think of someone.
Follow up with guests, partners, and clients with genuine gratitude. Not a form note. A real “I saw you; I appreciated this specific thing you brought to the table.”
I don’t treat relationships like a sales pipeline. I treat them like a garden. I water them consistently through micro-touchpoints, curiosity, and being the kind of person who follows through. Business opportunities show up naturally when you’re already in conversation.”
Make Opportunities Last.
Leonard Chin: What tips would you give to your younger self around relationships and how they impact business?
Bonnie C. Schutz:
“To my younger self, hustling (quietly rolling my eyes at that word now) through corporate hallways and color-coding executive calendars, I’d say this:
Stop treating relationships as “nice to have.” They are the business strategy. The people you sit next to in the conference room, the admins you swap stories with, the women you meet at that small networking meetup… those are your future clients, collaborators, and referral partners.
Play the long game. Not every connection has to turn into a client next week. Show up consistently. Be helpful without keeping score. Your name will start traveling into rooms you’re not in.
Ask for help sooner. You don’t get extra credit for doing it all yourself. People actually feel closer to you when you let them in, ask for guidance, or invite them to build something with you.
Protect your energy and boundaries. Not every relationship is meant to last forever. It’s okay to bless some connections and set them down so you have room for the ones that truly support the business and the life you’re building.
Most of all, I’d remind her that relationships are what make opportunities last. The contracts, the partnerships, the podcast invites, the referrals… they all flow from how you make people feel when they’re in your orbit.”
Key Takeaways.
Bonnie C. Schutz is the first leader who mentioned “RelationshipOps” in this series, and we’re thankful for that because we sincerely think what drives the growth of a service firm is none other than the relationship operations we work on every day.
Reconnecting…. following up… helping others…
And all these compounds.
In conclusion, we’re glad to have Bonnie with us on this week’s series, and if anything, here are a few key takeaways:
Relationships with communities can unlock belief before you fully see it in yourself… and that kind of support can change the course of your business.
Consistency wins. Bonnie blends voice notes, virtual coffees, LinkedIn touchpoints, and small meetups into a weekly rhythm that keeps her connections warm and real.
Stop treating relationships as an afterthought. They are the strategy. Play the long game, give without tracking, and protect your energy so the right people stay close.
That’s all for now.
If you're open to sharing your experiences in one of our future articles… or know of someone who is, feel free to drop me an email here.
Author.
Leonard Chin
Follow me on LinkedIn.