BEYOND VIRTUAL

Feature Story

PURPOSE, PEOPLE, AND POWER OF AI

On May 6th, I had the privilege of attending the Office Hours Season 8 VIP Dinner hosted by a client, a mentor and a good friend of mine, David Meltzer, at Maggiano’s in Las Vegas.

The evening brought together an inspiring mix of visionary entrepreneurs, including Ike Shehadeh of Ike’s Love & Sandwiches and Dr. Greg Kimble of The Final Percent, all united by a shared commitment to building businesses rooted in purpose, relationships, and impact.

While the night focused on community and collaboration, I also want to mention a related matter concerning our work.

David previously shared his experience using The VA Group’s AI-prospecting solution services and had nothing but positive words.

As Chairman of the Napoleon Hill Institute and executive producer of Office Hours and 2 Minute Drill, David is constantly moving with speed and intention. The fact that our AI solutions are helping him stay focused on his mission is exactly why we do what we do.

From that dinner to this testimonial, it’s clear: when great minds are supported by the right systems, the possibilities are exponential.

Grateful to be part of a community that sees AI not just as automation, but as a pathway to scale vision without sacrificing values.

Watch David’s Full Testimonial Video Here →

Visionary Voices

SCALING 12+ BUSINESSES WITH CORY LOPES-WARFIELD

In Episode 2 of the Beyond Virtual Podcast, we sit down with serial entrepreneur Cory Lopes-Warfield, who shares his remarkable journey managing over 12 businesses while staying grounded in purpose and people.

This conversation explores:

• Juggling multiple businesses without sacrificing well-being

• The critical role of virtual assistants in modern entrepreneurship

• Leveraging AI + human synergy for smarter scaling

• Big-picture insights on the future of work, data, and human purpose

Cory is a serial entrepreneur, growth strategist, and one of LinkedIn’s most recognized voices, with a following of over 586,000. He’s built his reputation on speaking “truth to tech,” spreading “good vibes,” and amplifying people and companies making a meaningful difference.

As Editor-in-Chief at Tech For Good, Cory helps businesses and leaders increase their presence and impact through authentic storytelling and strategic visibility.

In this exclusive Beyond Virtual Podcast episode, Cory shares how he manages and scales 12+ businesses using a powerful combination of virtual assistants and AI automation, all while staying grounded in human connection and purpose.

If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, or leader looking to scale smarter and stay balanced, this is an episode you can’t miss.

WATCH THE FULL EPISODE →

The Trend

THE RISE OF THE AI-POWERED VIRTUAL TEAMS

In 2025, smart companies are slashing costs and boosting productivity with AI-enabled virtual teams, blending AI automation with human expertise to scale smarter.

This hybrid model creates what we at The VA Group call “co-pilot teams”—where automation supports, but humans still lead. It’s how we empower CEOs to scale faster, without sacrificing quality.

Microsoft’s use of Copilot in Microsoft 365 exemplifies this shift—automating tasks to save 30–40 minutes per day and boosting leadership productivity by 30%, freeing up time for deeper strategic focus [7].

Why Now?

In 2025, 78% of global companies use AI in at least one business function, up from 72% in 2024 [2]. Early adopters are now 1.5x more likely to lead their industries [3]. The gap between innovation leaders and laggards is growing. Those combining AI and VAs outperform in efficiency, customer experience, and innovation.

Act now and stay ahead.

A Final Note

NOTES FROM SHANE

AI alone won’t win, but people who know how to use it will lead.

This is the winning playbook in today’s business world:

• Automate the mundane: Use AI for repetitive tasks like scheduling, data analysis, and customer follow-ups to save time.

• Empower your team: Pair AI with skilled VAs to handle complex tasks like project management or personalized client outreach, boosting efficiency.

• Focus on high-impact work: Free yourself for strategy, innovation, and relationship-building, which are the core drivers of growth.

• Stay adaptable: AI + VA co-pilot teams allow rapid pivots in dynamic markets, keeping you competitive.

• Start small, scale fast: Begin with one AI tool (e.g., CRM automation) and a VA to manage it, then expand as results compound.

If you’re ready to stop doing it all yourself and start scaling with leverage, we’re ready to help.

Until next time,
Shane