Case studies on how we can work with our clients
Every hour we give back changes something: a business that finally grows, a home that runs more smoothly, a person who finally gets to rest. These stories remind us why we do what we do.
THE OVERWHELMED EXECUTIVE
The Client
Sarah M., Healthcare Director
Managing a team of 40+ while trying to maintain work-life balance
The Challenge
Sarah was spending her lunch breaks coordinating personal errands and her weekends catching up on life admin. Between managing her department, attending board meetings, and trying to be present for her family, something had to give. And it was usually her own downtime.
The breaking point: She realized she'd spent three consecutive Saturdays dealing with returns, gift shopping, and organizing household tasks instead of being with her kids.
The Poppy Solution
We started with a simple test: one Saturday morning of errands. Sarah gave us her list (returns at three different stores, picking up dry cleaning, sourcing a specific gift, and grocery shopping), and we handled all of it while she attended her daughter's soccer game.
What happened next:
Sarah booked a monthly retainer (20 hours/month)
We now handle: gift sourcing for professional obligations, coordinating home maintenance appointments, managing household admin, researching and booking family activities, handling returns and exchanges
We developed a rhythm where Sarah texts me tasks as they come up, and I batch them into efficient weekly sessions
The Result
Time reclaimed: 20+ hours per month
What Sarah does with it: Actually takes her lunch breaks, attends her kids' events without distraction, has time for strategic thinking instead of task management
Why This Worked
Sarah didn't need someone to manage her entire life. She needed someone to handle the friction: the small tasks that add up to massive time loss. Once she saw the ROI on that first Saturday, the decision to continue was easy.
THE BOOTSTRAPPED ENTREPRENEUR
The Client
Marcus T., Small Business Owner (E-commerce)
Running a growing online business solo while trying to scale
The Challenge
Marcus had built his business to consistent $30K/month revenue, but he'd hit a ceiling. He was spending 15-20 hours per week on operational tasks that kept the business running but didn't move it forward: processing supplier orders, following up on invoices, managing his messy inbox, scheduling meetings, researching new vendors.
The breaking point: He missed a meeting with a major potential client because it got buried in his calendar chaos. That's when he realized his inability to delegate was costing him real money.
The Poppy Solution
Week 1-2: Systems audit
We started with 4 hours to organize his digital chaos: cleaned up his inbox, set up a proper calendar system, created templates for routine communications.
Week 3+: Ongoing support (10 hours/month)
Invoice follow-up and payment tracking
Supplier communication and order coordination
Calendar management and meeting prep
Research on potential vendors and products
Email triage (Poppy handles routine stuff, flag urgent items)
The Result
Time reclaimed: 10+ hours per month
Revenue impact: Marcus closed the deal he'd almost missed, brought on 2 new major accounts, and launched a new product line. All within 3 months
ROI calculation:
Poppy PA cost: $450/month (10 hours @ $45/hour retainer rate)
New revenue from reclaimed time: $8,000+/month
Return: 1,778%
Why This Worked
Marcus didn't need a full-time employee. He needed specific, high-quality support that freed him to focus on revenue-generating activities. Once he saw that the cost of delegation was a fraction of what he earned in the time it saved, it became an easy recurring expense.
THE DUAL-INCOME HOUSEHOLD
The Client
The Johnsons, Professional Couple
Both working demanding corporate jobs with two young kids
The Challenge
Jennifer (finance exec) and David (engineering manager) were drowning in the logistics of family life. Their evenings were spent coordinating childcare, managing household vendors, planning meals, scheduling appointments, and dealing with the endless stream of life admin.
The breaking point: They realized they were spending their only "date night" each month sitting at a restaurant discussing to-do lists and arguing about who would handle what. They weren't living, they were surviving.
The Poppy Solution
Initial project: Holiday season coordination
We started with a 12-hour package in December:
All holiday gift shopping (family, teachers, coaches)
Coordinating returns/exchanges
Booking family holiday activities
Organizing house for holiday hosting
It worked so well they signed on for ongoing support (16 hours/month):
Researching and scheduling home maintenance (plumber, electrician, furnace service)
Coordinating kids' activity schedules and camps
Gift sourcing for birthday parties and events
Planning and researching family trips
Managing household vendor relationships
Handling administrative follow-up (insurance calls, warranty claims, etc.)
The Result
Time reclaimed: 16+ hours per month (combined)
What they do with it: Actually enjoy their evenings together, take real date nights, spend quality time with their kids instead of managing logistics
Cost comparison:
Previous state: Both taking vacation days for household tasks (opportunity cost: ~$1,200/day)
Poppy PA: $720/month (16 hours @ $45/hour)
Savings: 1-2 vacation days per month that they now use for actual vacations
Why This Worked
The Johnsons didn't need to offload everything, just the logistical nightmare of coordinating all the moving parts. Having one person who knows their household routines, preferences, and priorities means things actually get done without either of them carrying mental load.
Could This Be You?
Whether you're drowning in admin, missing family time, or watching opportunities slip away because you're too busy on tasks someone else could handle…we can help.
What Happens On A Discovery Call?
We talk through what's taking up your time, what you'd rather be doing with those hours, and whether Poppy is the right fit. No pressure. No obligation. Just an honest conversation about whether we can help make your life lighter.