Meet the Team

The Owner

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Doreen Patrick

Owner of Virtual Business Partners

As an entrepreneur and Certified Online Business Manager, Doreen Patrick brings over 16 years of business support services to her company, Virtual Business Partners. Doreen founded VBP in 2006 as a solution for companies and business owners seeking specialized sales, marketing and administrative support. Within its first year, Doreen had successfully built her business to a full-time practice.

Read More About Doreen

Along with Doreen’s business experience, she has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, an Associate’s degree in Business Management, a Paralegal Certification, and a university level Associate, Customer Service insurance designation through LOMA (Life Office Management Association). Doreen also served as an Executive Board Member from 2006 – 2008 for the Woodridge Chamber of Commerce and currently serves as a Board Member for the International Virtual Assistant Association.

Fun fact: She loves ice hockey, go Chicago Blackhawks!

Doreen's Achievements

In 2006, Doreen was nominated for the 2006 Administrative Excellence Award, sponsored by OfficeTeam™, Working Mother Magazine™, IAAP™, Targeted Learning Corporation™ and Microsoft Learning™.
In April of 2009, Doreen was awarded the prestigious Business Entrepreneur Award from www.vanetworking.com, the largest on line virtual assistant organization.
In November of 2013, Doreen became a Certified Coach Practitioner in order to bring a higher level of service to her clients.
In November of 2014, Doreen became a Certified Internet Marketer through the renowned Internet Marketing Association.
In December 2015 - Present, Doreen became a Certified Infusionsoft Partner.
In 2016, Virtual Business Partners was featured in Wealth Management Magazine, How to Make the Most of a Virtual Assistant.
Featured expert in the October 2016 Virtual Assistant Success Summit.
In October 2018, Doreen became a Certified Virtual Assistant with Coaches Console.
October 2019 – Presenter at the National Sales Symposium for Mutual of Omaha. Presented on the topic, “A Day in the Life…” of a successful practice. Also presented to regional assistants on best practices.
2019 – Present – Webinar & Speaker Management Specialist for the International Virtual Assistant Association
February 2021, Doreen became a Certified Online Business Manager.
November 2022 - Board member at the International Virtual Assistant Association.

The VBP Team

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Ashley Hoops

Administrative and Marketing Support

Ashley comes to us with a year of virtual assistant experience after spending 5 years as an administrative professional within the public sector. Ashley has experience assisting female entrepreneurs, marketing agencies and other business owners within the online space. Research, organization and calendar management are just some of the tasks Ashley enjoys. In her spare time Ashley loves spending time with her family, reading and supporting her daughter’s collegiate equestrian team. Ashley has been married for 15 years and is a mother of 2 sons and 1 daughter.

Lauren Just

Lauren Just

Administrative and Marketing Support

Hi, I'm Lauren Just with over 15 years of experience assisting business owners and C-suite executives. I live in Charleston, SC, with my family. I enjoy the beach, traveling, and cheering my kids on in sports. As a virtual assistant for the last six years, I have managed multiple clients from around the US, in all types of industries. I have a strong background in operations, sales, and administration. With a bachelor's Degree in Public Relations, I enjoy speaking with people. I have developed skills in marketing, social media management, and business development. I thrive in opportunities that serve business growth. I have a dynamic professional skillset having worked in New York City, Denver, CO, Orlando, FL, and Pittsburgh, PA. With relentless curiosity, I take ownership of my roles to grow my capabilities, leadership, and problem-solving skills. I am passionate to ensure my support offers convenience, trust, and efficiency. I look forward to supporting new clients that may help them tackle life and grow their careers.

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Jennifer Fort

Administrative and Marketing Support

Jennifer comes to us with over 10 years of financial and operational business experience, and seven years of marketing experience. She is process driven within the field of operations management and all things social media related. In her spare time she loves spending time with her family, coaching volleyball, and traveling. Jennifer has been married for 11 years and is a mother to three daughters.

Ann Ostrenga

Administrative and Marketing Support

Ann has over 20 years of tenure as an administrative professional in the financial services industry. She is experienced in supporting financial advisors and their clients, insurance products, retirement plans and back-office operations. Ann has a passion for making advisors more successful through her knowledge and ability to anticipate their needs. Ann loves fishing, the outdoors, reading, and all Wisconsin sports – Go Packers! She is married and lives in Milwaukee, WI.

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Kimberly Kelly

Administrative and Marketing Support

Kimberly comes to us with over 20 years of financial and operational business experience. She is process driven within the field of operations management and all things social media related. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, gardening and traveling.

Laura Williams

Graphic Design Specialist

Laura received her BFA in Visual Communications from the University of Kansas and shares her passion for graphic design with every client. Laura has over 20 years experience in all aspects of print design, both from a creative role to that of print procurement. She has worked in a variety of industries with corporate clients, nonprofits and small business owners. Fun fact: she was a college mascot for two years while at KU – Rock Chalk Jayhawk! She now resides with her husband and young family in Kansas.

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Richard Contreras

SEO and Copywriting Guru

Richard has been in sales and marketing for more than 35 years. He has been writing for personal pleasure and occasional publication for more than 20 years. In October of 2010, after returning to Denver, CO from Phoenix, AZ – making the 800-mile trip by bicycle – he began to devote himself to the full-time practice of creating search engine optimized web content for website and blog owners who were unable, or unwilling, to write for themselves. Today he offers a range of services, including optimized blog post/article writing, optimized web page construction, keyword research and analysis, writing press releases, editing, creating evergreen content, re-purposing content, and pretty much all things involved with web content writing and on-page SEO. He regularly creates content for IT Network Service Firms, Physicians, Therapists Attorneys, Realtors, Finance Consultants, Online Marketing Firms, Online Coaches, Virtual Assistants, Authors, and brick-and-mortar Retail and Wholesale Businesses. Richard’s hobbies include reading, riding bicycles, and rebuilding and servicing bicycles at a discount, to help keep others riding regularly.

Remy

Sir Remington Charles Patrick III - The Duke of VBP

Virtual Business "Pawtner" Mascot

Commonly known as Remy! His specialties include break room management that requires a well-stocked snack jar at all times and delivery alert services upon doorbell notification. He is currently on Level 3 puppy training and on his way to becoming a certified support animal with hopes of being a volunteer for those services in the future!

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