Running a business shouldn't mean holding everything together in your head.
The busier you get, the more things slip.
Right now, admin probably feels manageable. But it all sits in your head.
Chasing payments. Moving quotes through approval. Making sure onboarding sequences actually happen. Remembering what needs doing, and when.
That mental load adds up. And as the business grows, so do the cracks.
Support with structure behind it removes that pressure. Work keeps moving. Timing stays consistent. Nothing waits for you to remember it.
Helping business owners get out from under it since 2012.
Strictly Savvy started in 2012 when Jo Jensen kept meeting business owners drowning in admin with no realistic way out. They didn't have time to train someone. Hiring in-house didn't make sense. They just needed reliable help.
It started as a traditional VA service. Handling tasks, clearing backlogs, managing inboxes.
But as client businesses grew, clearing tasks wasn’t solving the bigger issue. Support needed systems behind it.
That's when the model shifted: virtual assistants who don't just complete tasks, but build automation around them. Simple systems that handle timing, reminders, and follow-through so support stays reliable as things get more complex.
Now the team includes 28+ experienced VAs, bookkeepers, and creatives across New Zealand and beyond. Same goal since day one: businesses that run steadier, not heavier.
The work that stops landing on you.
Virtual Assistants manage inboxes, calendars, documents, quoting systems, client follow-ups, and day-to-day admin - with automation handling the predictable parts.
Bookkeepers keep Xero up to date, process payroll, chase overdue invoices, and make sure financial admin happens consistently without manual reminders.
Creatives (through Wildhouse Design Studio) handle graphic design, websites, social content, and photography - keeping your business looking professional without adding to the coordination load.
Whether you're in trades, coaching, creative work, or professional services, the need is the same: support that doesn't fall apart when things get busy, and keeps working as the business grows.
We're a business for good.
Every new client chooses a cause close to their heart. A donation gets made on their behalf when they start.
Small contributions. Real impact.
Get support from an award winning team
Our industry-leading team of virtual assistants is ready to help you take your business to the next level.
Brenna
CLIENT SUCCESS MANAGER & PHOTOGRAPHER
It's likely from when you have your very first discovery call on Zoom with us, that you'll meet the lovely Brenna at the other end.
She works her magic throughout your VA journey, making sure all is going smoothly, from the sales process, through to regular ongoing check-ins. Brenna’s spent a lot of time with start-ups, helping clients find their feet, and with her positive, upbeat, attitude, she's the perfect person to start your VA conversations with.
Some of you may recognise Brenna from the creative team, and don't worry - she still gets behind the camera! Should you require any beautiful new headshots, she's still our resident photographer as well!
Get in touch with Brenna to discuss how you can get the help you need, she's looking forward to chatting with you soon!
Anesha
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
The multi-talented Anesha is a powerhouse of creativity and calm. Anesha is one organised individual, always working hard to make her clients’ dreams come true! Most often helping them promote themselves on social media and in their marketing and collateral, she designs and streamlines, goes above and beyond, and makes real and caring connections.
She’s a motivated and outgoing leader to her team of creatives and loves supporting businesses with their dreams. With an eye for detail and an ability to think creatively as well as analytically, Anesha’s comfortable with a wide range of online tools and systems.
As Strictly Savvy's longest standing team member, she's well versed in the ever changing landscape of anything tech, design and strategy.
Her positive calm nature comes in handy off the job too, raising three beautiful young girls with her husband in sunny Papamoa!
Talk to Anesha about any creative project you have in mind!
Kathryn
MARKETING MANAGER
Kathryn is the creative force behind our award-winning online presence. She keeps our brand voice sharp, our content engaging, and our marketing ticking along so the world sees us exactly how we want to be seen.
With a knack for juggling creativity and organisation, Kathryn makes sure every campaign, post, and project not only looks good but has real impact. Drawing on her background in graphic design, social media management, and e‑commerce, she brings both a solid mix of creative and practical experience. She’s the one who turns ideas into action and keeps the Savvy brand humming behind the scenes.
When she’s not diving into strategy or polishing content, you’ll find her hunting down the perfect oat latte, testing new recipes, or hanging out with her two dogs, Winston and Benedict.
Teesha
GENERAL MANAGER & PCM FACILITATOR
General Manager at Strictly Savvy, our all-star player Teesha is multi-faceted: organised, collaborative, persuasive and empathetic.
As GM, her focus is on the operational oversight of the business and the success of our Savvy team. She works closely with the leadership team to support our people, strengthen communication across the business, and ensure our clients consistently receive the high-quality service Savvy is known for.
With a strong interest in psychology and how people work together, Teesha is also a certified Process Communication Model (PCM) trainer and facilitator. Through this work, she helps leaders and teams better understand how they communicate and recognise behavioural patterns.
She can be counted on to stay steady under pressure while communicating easily with all personality types.
Jo
FOUNDER
Jo is one cool, calm and collected leader who loves the thrill of helping business owners achieve their full potential. As a self-professed delegation queen, she loves automation and always finds the latest technology tools to boost productivity and efficiency.
In recognition of all of the above, Jo was awarded Young Business Person of the Year for 2015 at the Wellington Region Business Excellence Awards for her outstanding leadership, entrepreneurship, creativity and vision for the future.
She also co-founded an online business, The VA Foundry, coaching women around the globe to build thriving virtual assistant businesses.
More recently, Jo has also co-founded and launched Seea, a platform designed to connect people with trusted spiritual and holistic practitioners. Through Seea, Jo is helping create a space where individuals can easily discover guidance, healing and self-discovery from verified practitioners.
Lance
CFO
Lance is the co-driver at Strictly Savvy. He loves business, and working with smart, positive and courageous people - so he fits right in.
As an even-keeled quiet leader in everything he does, Lance brings comprehensive business coaching and business management skills to the Savvy table and acts as both Director and Chief Financial Officer.
He plays an important role in helping guide the strategic direction of the business, ensuring Savvy continues to grow sustainably while staying true to its values. Lance has helped this fast-growing business stay on track and achieve its goals, while supporting the development of the team and driving strong financial performance.
Drawing on decades of experience building businesses, investing in property and shares, and constantly upskilling, Lance enjoys sharing the lessons he’s learned along the way and helping others succeed.
Courtney
TEAM LEADER/VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
Courtney brings a decade of experience in Administration and Office Management to her role supporting our VA team as their Team Leader. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for organisation, Courtney is a task-oriented powerhouse who thrives on variety throughout her day!
As a self-proclaimed "serial lister," Courtney enjoys planning, organising, and ticking off tasks as she goes.
She has top-notch time management skills and confidently tackles problem-solving and conflict resolution head on. Her excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, allow her to interact with people from all social and cultural backgrounds with ease.
Courtney's expertise also extends to Xero and general bookkeeping, as well as a deep understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi principles and standards in the workplace.
Outside of work, Courtney enjoys spending time with her family, restoring old furniture and experiencing the great outdoors. She’s also involved in the sport of Marching, and is studying to become an Accountant.
Briar
TECH LEAD
Briar is our tech whisperer - the person who spots where things could run smoother before you even realise they're clunky.
She has an intuitive eye for systems, automation, and streamlining workflows. Whether it's setting up automation sequences, optimising tools, or finding the perfect solution to a messy process, Briar just gets it.
As our Tech Lead, Briar makes sure our clients' businesses are automated and streamlined. She leads the team in implementing smart systems that save time, reduce manual work, and keep everything running without constant oversight.
With 10 years in customer service, including 5 in the travel industry, Briar knows how to solve problems under pressure and build solid relationships. She picks up new tools faster than most people read the manual - and then figures out how to make them work even better.
Specialties:
/ HubSpot Implementation
/ Automation & Workflows
/ Systems Optimisation
/ App Integration
Rochelle
ADMINISTRATOR & VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
Rochelle can be quiet, but it only means she’s deep in thought. Known for her precision and diligence, she’s always looking for ways to support her clients and colleagues, and focused on delivering the right outcomes and best service.
Right now she runs a tight ship as not only the Administrator for Strictly Savvy, but also as a virtual assistant. Handling everything from payroll to arranging contractors, Rochelle’s passion is creating clear processes and ensuring everyone is on the same page.
We’ve said that she’s super-focused, but when her job’s done, that’s when we all get to enjoy her personality and sense of humour!
Specialties:
/ Accounts
/ Systems Setup
/ Sales and Customer Service
/ Process Documentation
/ Tools and Apps Implementation
Gabby
BOOKKEEPER
As a multi-talented service delivery and accounts manager, Gabby brings a wealth of knowledge to our clients. She thrives with heavy workloads where she has to juggle lots of balls at once wearing many hats.
Having worked in many trades-based businesses, Gabby has a real knack for coordinating teams and people to get the job done. Nothing ever phases her and she's a very task focussed person.
She loves streamlining processes and finding better and more efficient ways of doing things. You'll always know that she has the tasks under control with her super diligent nature.
Gabby's a straight-talking operations powerhouse.
Specialties:
/ Trades Specialist
/ Xero and Payroll
/ Processes and Systems
/ Property Management Admin
/ Job Scheduling
Michelle
VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
With over 15 years of admin know-how, Michelle is the go-to for all things organisation and coordination. But where she really shines is in governance support. She loves supporting boards and their leadership teams - from preparing papers and managing agendas to taking minutes that capture every detail with accuracy and ease.
Her calm, detail-focused approach means nothing slips through the cracks, and her knack for managing compliance and documentation keeps things running smoothly behind the scenes. For busy boards and leadership teams, Michelle is the safe pair of hands that makes meetings, follow-ups, and reporting feel effortless.
Outside of Savvy life, you’ll find Michelle throwing clay in the studio, pottering in the garden, or sparring in the dojo - she’s a brown belt in kickboxing!
Specialties:
/ Board and Governance Support
/ Meeting Papers and Minutes
/ Compliance and Reporting
/ Project Coordination
/ Systems and Processes
Emma
VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
Emma’s the kind of VA who thrives behind the scenes, quietly making things run like clockwork. With experience as a PA and Team Administrator in a government agency, supporting multiple managers and a busy branch, she’s well-versed in juggling priorities, coordinating meetings, and keeping everyone on track.
Before shifting to office-based work, Emma trained and worked as a veterinary nurse - so it’s no surprise she brings precision, calm under pressure, and a sharp eye for detail to everything she does. From formatting documents to booking travel and managing diaries, she takes pride in getting the details right the first time.
When she’s not keeping things humming at work, you’ll find her adventuring outdoors, hitting the gym, or spending time with her family.
Specialties:
/ Diary and Calendar Management
/ Document Formatting
/ Travel Booking
/ Inbox Support
/ Project Coordination
/ Data Entry and Record Keeping
Katelyn
GRAPHIC DESIGNER & PROJECT MANAGER
Katelyn brings her clean, edgy design style and sharp project management skills to Wildhouse. With a Bachelor of Design from Wintec she’s tackled roles from VA work to leading as the sole graphic designer at a product design studio. Now she’s ready to craft bold, unforgettable branding and design projects with the Wildhouse team.
Passionate about branding, Katelyn loves blending vibrant colours, striking typography, and creative layouts to bring brands to life. Whether she’s fine-tuning files, working her magic in Photoshop, or designing publications and marketing graphics, Katelyn’s detail-driven approach ensures every project stands out.
When she’s not designing, Katelyn’s indulging her love of fashion, putting together fresh outfits that reflect her creative flair. A former competitive gymnast with over 16 years of experience, her discipline and precision shine through in everything she does.
Specialties:
/ Branding and Identity
/ Publication and Packaging Design
/ Marketing Graphics
/ Photoshop Editing and File Fixing
Kylie
SENIOR BOOKKEEPER
Kylie is a dynamo when it comes to crunching numbers. But she doesn’t stop there. She digs deeper to find the insights behind the data, the critical info about cash flow that business owners need.
With a professional accounting background, and experience as a successful small business owner herself, Kylie has first-hand project management experience and compliance knowledge. She understands challenges her clients face, and adds immediate value with her high level bookkeeping skills and Xero and Excel expertise.
Specialties:
/ Xero Certified
/ High-level Bookkeeping
/ Charts and Financial Dashboards
/ Xero and Fergus Setups
/ GST Returns
/ Payroll Setup and Processing
Join our team
Think you have what it takes to be part of the Savvy Squad?
You'll be naturally organised and efficient, thrive on working under pressure and love to have fun. Your work ethic has seen you become the go-to-person in your previous roles and you love the idea of helping business owners achieve their dreams of continual growth, increased productivity and all round greatness!
