How Emilie Given Built a Business Around the Power of Reclaiming Time

Emilie Given loved her early work as an Executive Assistant. She found deep fulfillment in being the person behind the scenes who could solve problems, create order, and help leaders operate at their highest level.

But after a traumatic childbirth experience where both she and her son nearly died, Emilie’s relationship with time changed forever. Suddenly, the hours she spent building someone else’s vision felt impossible to ignore, especially as she longed for more flexibility, presence, and time with her family.

That shift led Emilie to begin freelancing as a Virtual Executive Assistant, working from home while creating a life that felt more aligned with what mattered most. Thanks to referrals and word of mouth, the business grew quickly. Before long, demand had outpaced what she could personally support. At the same time, Emilie was meeting incredibly talented women who wanted meaningful, flexible remote work. The pieces began to click: she had an opportunity to build something much bigger than herself.

What started at Emilie’s kitchen table has since grown into She’s A Given, a multi-seven-figure executive assistant agency serving founders, executives, and growing businesses across the country. At its core, the company has always been about helping people reclaim their time while creating support systems that allow both clients and assistants to build more sustainable, fulfilling lives.

Read on to learn more about Emilie and She’s A Given.

What are some of the most meaningful impacts your work has had so far?

Our work impacts both sides of the equation. We help founders and executives reclaim their time, reduce burnout, and focus on the parts of their businesses and lives that actually need them. I’ve had clients tell me they were finally able to take a real vacation, be more present with their kids, scale their companies sustainably, or simply breathe again after years of trying to do everything themselves.

At the same time, we’ve created flexible, meaningful remote career opportunities for highly skilled Executive Assistants across the country, many of whom are mothers, caregivers, or women looking for more autonomy in their lives and careers. Watching women gain financial independence while building sustainable careers from home has been incredibly rewarding.

One of the things I’m most proud of is helping to normalize the idea that support is not a luxury or a weakness. The right support can genuinely change the trajectory of a business, a family, and a person’s quality of life.

In what ways have your upbringing or past experiences contributed to how you operate as an entrepreneur?

Growing up in foster care taught me independence very early, but it also made me incredibly observant and adaptable. I learned how to read a room quickly, anticipate needs, and stay calm in unpredictable situations—all skills that have served me well both as an Executive Assistant and as a founder. Those experiences shaped the way I lead, as well. I care deeply about creating stability, trust, and psychological safety for the people around me because I know firsthand how powerful those things are when you’ve gone without them.

My near-death experience during childbirth also completely shifted my perspective on leadership and success. It forced me to confront how fragile life really is and how easy it is to lose yourself in constant productivity and survival mode. Because of that, I’ve built my company differently. I care deeply about sustainability, flexibility, and creating businesses that support people’s actual lives, not just their output.

A lot of my leadership style is rooted in empathy, intuition, and seeing the humanity behind performance. People do their best work when they feel supported, trusted, and valued—and in the long run, I’ve found this approach creates stronger teams and healthier businesses.

What’s the biggest misconception others have around entrepreneurship?

That success comes from doing everything yourself. Hustle culture has glamorized burnout to the point where exhaustion is often treated like a status symbol, especially for founders. In reality, some of the most successful leaders I know are the ones who have learned how to delegate well, build strong support systems, and focus their energy where it matters most.

Another misconception is that entrepreneurship automatically equates to freedom. In the beginning, especially, it can actually create the opposite if you don’t intentionally build systems, boundaries, and support around yourself. I’ve seen so many brilliant founders become trapped inside businesses they’ve built because they feel guilty asking for help or believe no one can do things as well as they can.

For me, entrepreneurship has been less about proving how much I can carry and more about learning how to lead sustainably. The goal shouldn’t be building a business that depends entirely on you to function, but building something that supports your life instead of consuming it.

Has your definition of success evolved throughout your journey as a founder?

Earlier in my career, my definition of success was tied to achievement, validation, and proving that I was capable. I came from a background where stability and security didn’t always feel guaranteed, so a lot of my drive initially came from wanting to create safety for myself and my family. Success looked like growth, revenue, recognition, and being needed all the time.

Over time—especially after becoming a mother and growing through some major life experiences—my definition of success has shifted significantly. I still care deeply about building an impactful business, but I care just as much about how my life feels while I’m building it. Now, success looks like having time freedom, being present with my family, leading a company that can operate sustainably, and creating work that genuinely improves people’s lives.

One of the biggest milestones for me was realizing that my business becoming more systemized and less dependent on my constant involvement was not a sign that I was less valuable as a founder. It was actually a sign that I had built something healthy and scalable. That perspective changed everything.

How have you grown as a leader since starting your company? What experiences have contributed to this growth?

When I first started my business, I led a lot from instinct, urgency, and the belief that I needed to hold everything together myself. I was very hands-on and deeply attached to making sure every detail was perfect. Over time, I’ve learned that strong leadership is less about control and more about trust, communication, and creating systems that allow other people to thrive.

Building and scaling a team has been one of my greatest teachers. Managing people through different seasons of life, navigating rapid growth, making difficult decisions, and learning how to balance empathy with accountability have all shaped me tremendously as a leader. I’ve also learned that leadership requires a level of self-awareness that people don’t talk about enough. Your team can often feel what’s happening internally before you ever say it out loud.

Some of my biggest growth has come through personal experiences outside of business, too. Becoming a mother, navigating hardship, and moving through major life transitions taught me resilience and forced me to redefine what sustainable leadership actually looks like. I lead very differently now than I did a few years ago. I’m less focused on proving myself and much more focused on building something grounded, intentional, and lasting.

What would you tell your younger self if you were to start your entrepreneurial journey all over again?

You do not have to earn rest or support by overworking yourself first. 

For a long time, I believed that being capable meant carrying everything alone, but some of the most important lessons in both business and life came from learning how to trust other people, delegate, and build sustainably. I would also remind her that the qualities that once made her feel “different”—sensitivity, intuition, resilience, and deep empathy—would eventually become some of her greatest strengths as a leader and entrepreneur.

What’s next for you and your career?

Right now, I’m focused on continuing to grow She’s A Given in a way that feels intentional and sustainable, both for our clients and our team. But beyond the business itself, I feel like I’m entering a really expansive season personally and creatively. Over the past few years, I’ve grown so much as both an entrepreneur and a person, and I’m becoming increasingly passionate about sharing more of that journey publicly.

I’m currently exploring writing my memoir and stepping into speaking and thought leadership, particularly around entrepreneurship, resilience, delegation, leadership, and building a life that feels aligned instead of purely productive. I think what’s next for me is less about proving myself through constant hustle and more about creating meaningful impact through honesty, connection, and the experiences that shaped me.